Lifeskills South Florida

Hospital-Based Detox and Residential Continuum

Lifeskills South Florida provides a rare hospital-adjacent detox program in Fort Lauderdale, with close monitoring and immediate access to emergency care. This medical foundation supports adults with substance use disorders and high-acuity psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, PTSD, and OCD. Residential treatment follows in a 24/7 supervised setting, with step-down options into partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and transitional living to ensure continuity of care.

Clinical Pathways and Evidence-Based Therapies

Treatment is guided by Lifeskills’ Clinical Pathways model, tailored to individual diagnoses and led by licensed and doctoral-level clinicians. Pathways cover chemical dependency, obsessive–compulsive disorder, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acute psychiatric care, and metabolic fitness. Clients engage in therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), EMDR, rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), and Seeking Safety, building coping strategies and long-term resilience.

Family Programming and Transition Support

Family involvement is integrated through the Support, Training, Empowerment, Education, and Recovery (STEER) program, which offers both in-person and virtual sessions. Licensed therapists guide families through understanding mental health conditions, strengthening communication, and addressing trauma and relationship dynamics. Discharge planning begins early and continues throughout treatment, ensuring clients move smoothly into PHP, IOP, or transitional living while maintaining strong support networks.

Life Skills, Alumni Network, and Restorative Amenities

Programming extends beyond clinical care to practical life preparation. Clients participate in groups focused on resume building, budgeting, cooking, and daily routines to support independence after treatment. Alumni services foster connection and accountability through peer groups, community events, and ongoing check-ins. The setting combines clinical oversight with comfort, featuring semi-private rooms with full bathrooms, chef-prepared meals, including healthy and vegan options, outdoor lounges, a pool, fitness activities, and yoga, all in a coastal city environment.

Client Reviews

Clients often highlight the dedication of staff and the supportive environment at Lifeskills South Florida – Ft. Lauderdale. Many describe meaningful progress in treatment, though a few note challenges with communication or consistency.

• Staff & Care Experience (85% positive): Clients consistently praise the compassion, professionalism, and availability of staff across roles, from therapists to techs and nurses. Some feedback mentions occasional miscommunication. "The caring and incredibly talented staff at Life Skills helped save our son's life."
• Treatment Quality & Outcomes (80% positive): Many reviews describe lasting improvements in mental health, recovery progress, and renewed family connections.
• Facility & Environment (75% positive): The campus is often described as modern, safe, and clean. "The facility itself is beautiful — modern, clean and well-equipped."
• Access & Process: Families note smooth admissions and staff willingness to accommodate urgent needs, with some praising flexible visitation and payment plans.
• Support & Community: Alumni programming, family therapy, and peer support are frequently valued as key to continued recovery. Some clients especially appreciated alumni groups and family sessions that strengthened long-term support.