Lifeskills Behavioral Health - Ft. Lauderdale

“Honestly, after getting out of the system, this place really helped me get back out in the world after learning different skills and how to cope with difficult situations. These groups honestly made my time there very educational not just at the moment, but for future moments to come. I stayed 90 days in residential treatment, met some really good people. Loved going on the outings, kitchen food was fabulous! Thank you to Nese for getting all us patients involved in the holidays and allowing me to also teach Zumba classes weekly to everyone. Thank you to miss Harriet for making everyday amazing and sassy! Thank you to the staff and therapists that made my time there so much better. These are some of the names id like to give a huge shout out therapists : Dr Pi, James, Monserat, Melissa, Spencer, Tracy, Dr Joel, Joseph Techs: Rose, Mario, Cynthia, Jay Jay, Wo, Brittany, Steve, Tasha, D, Dora, Roz, and Lala! Thank you all for making me a better human being that I am today❤️”

“Fort Lauderdale behavioral health helped me in many ways, one of them being the reason that pushed me to want to recover. They have wonderful therapists that all care deeply about you and your treatment. I want to shout out to dr. Pi (my family therapist) and James (my therapist). They got me through times I didn’t think I could get through. They showed me strength I didn’t think I had. And especially to dr. Pi, being in treatment can be very lonely and make you miss home however, every time I spent time with Dr. Pi she made me feel back at home. In fact she cared about me so much that she even treated me like I was one of her own daughters. And to James, he offered to spend late nights with me on the phone every time I felt dis regulated and would stay on the phone with me until I felt whole again. He wasn’t getting paid overtime, he truly just wanted the best for me, and for that I am eternally grateful. The techs were also a huge help to me as well. Shout out to Porsha, Dora, Brittney, Mario, Steve, and Noemi. Even though they were getting paid, there couldn’t have been enough money in the world to pay them for the love and divided attention they gave me. The nursing staff also contributed to a huge part of my recovery process as well. Shout out to Merlandi, Franklin, and DD, for making me smile and providing me with love and care when I didn’t feel good. I’m not going to lie and tell you that Fort Lauderdale Lifeskills was a perfect experience… however it’s definitely an experience that you should look into if your struggling with addiction or mental health.”

“The time I spent at Lifeskills was very beneficial for my journey. i had support from Sheryl, Melissa, Dani, Freeman, Lennox, Harriet, Billy, Porsha, John and Noemi. I have gained so much and am so grateful. The kitchen staff were wonderful, shout out to Eva and Marcus and Keith. Wishing you continued success with all your clients that come your way. You guys are the best”

“I entered LifeSkills Fort Lauderdale voluntarily on August 14, 2025, during a genuine psychiatric crisis. I am giving two stars because I did stabilize, and several staff members treated me with kindness. Stabilization, however, is not the same as individualized, transparent, or collaborative care. I flew to Florida after being told that I could try the program and, if it was not the right fit, leave or transfer my care. Within two weeks, I concluded it was not right for me and said so. My experience changed after what I remember as a nonviolent game of checkers. A staff member asked whether I wanted to "go for a ride." I declined but was told I needed to go. I spent nine days in the hospital before returning to LifeSkills. When I returned, my already limited phone access was revoked for a week, and I was placed on frequent observation, including overnight. I was frightened and simply wanted to speak with trusted family or friends. Instead, I had no independent way to communicate during an extremely stressful period. Although I technically remained a voluntary client, from that point on the experience no longer felt meaningfully voluntary. During the hospitalization, I was asked whether I wanted medication to be "voluntary or involuntary." Given the circumstances, that did not feel like a meaningful choice. I received a long-acting antipsychotic and gradually lost the person I recognized as myself. My thinking became slow and dull. Reading took effort. Conversations became difficult to follow. I lost interest in the things that had always mattered to me, and even walking short distances became exhausting. My body felt stiff, I struggled with severe constipation, and no matter how I positioned myself—even in a comfortable chair—I could never feel comfortable. I repeatedly tried to describe these changes because I had never experienced anything like them. LifeSkills knew that I have an MD. I did not expect special treatment or to direct my own care. I did expect a thoughtful discussion of diagnosis, medication risks, alternatives, side effects, and the expected duration of treatment. Instead, many of my concerns seemed to be interpreted mainly through the lens of compliance. Over time, I became reluctant to disclose the full extent of my symptoms because I feared complete honesty could delay my progress or return me to a higher level of care. The uncertainty surrounding the program became one of its hardest features. I repeatedly believed I was nearing discharge, only to learn there was another step, another requirement, or another level of care ahead. After 89 days in residential treatment, I learned that PHP and IOP could continue for many more months. I never felt I was given clear, objective criteria explaining how those decisions would be made. Months later, after obtaining my medical records, I was struck by the difference between the experience I remembered and the one reflected in the chart. Extensive information had been gathered about me, yet I never felt my own account received the same consideration. My repeated descriptions of medication side effects—including cognitive slowing, emotional blunting, physical weakness, and loss of joy—were largely reduced to "depression and anxiety." The original crisis continued to shape how I was documented even as my condition improved. I needed psychiatric treatment. My concern is that LifeSkills continued to treat me according to the worst days of my illness long after my condition had changed. That distinction is why I cannot recommend this program.”