Mental Health and Wellness Retreat Near Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The centre is at 7710 NW 71st Ct, Tamarac, FL 33321, in Broward County, roughly half an hour's drive from Fort Lauderdale. Guests come from out of state as well as locally. Accommodation is on site, with separate quarters for men and women.

A typical day is structured rather than free-form. You work with licensed clinicians in small groups and in one-to-one sessions, with medication support when it is clinically indicated. Alongside the therapy there are wellness practices: guided yoga that pairs physical postures with breathing, meditation sessions, and breathwork focused on emotional regulation. There is also time for reflection, journaling and recreation.

The therapies on offer include psychotherapy using approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy and psychodynamic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, biofeedback for monitoring things like heart rate and muscle tension, nutritional counseling with a nutritionist, family therapy, and expressive arts therapy using painting, music or writing. Which of these you actually do is decided after your day-one assessment, based on your goals and clinical needs.

Programme lengths differ. The weekend and 3-day retreat is a short, concentrated stay built around mindfulness exercises, group therapy and relaxation techniques. The 30-day programme adds cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, group counseling, yoga, meditation and nature walks, and is designed for longer-term recovery. The all-inclusive option covers comfortable lodging and nutritious meals, and includes trips for grocery shopping and guided meal preparation if you want to cook.

Staff include psychiatrists, therapists and wellness coaches. The centre also has patient advocates who can check your insurance coverage and explain what your policy will pay for. Health insurance typically does not cover a wellness vacation, but it usually does cover mental health treatment and therapies, including in residential settings, so it is worth verifying your specific policy.

The setting is South Florida: warm climate, plenty of sunshine, and access to beaches, nature trails and the wider Fort Lauderdale area. The centre describes its surroundings as calm and comfortable, with the aim of making the stay feel secure rather than clinical.

What's included

- On-site accommodation with separate quarters for men and women - Comprehensive mental wellness assessment on day one - Personalised treatment plan - Individual therapy sessions - Group therapy sessions - Psychiatry and medication support where clinically indicated - Yoga sessions - Meditation sessions - Breathwork sessions - Mindfulness practices - Meals (all-inclusive programme) - Grocery shopping trips and guided meal preparation (all-inclusive programme) - Time for reflection, journaling and recreation - Access to patient advocates for insurance verification

What's not included

- Travel to and from Tamarac, Florida - Health insurance (typically does not cover wellness vacations; may cover treatment and therapies) - Costs not covered by your insurance policy - Personal expenses