The Basics
Lower Keys Medical Center has been the only full-service hospital below the famous Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys since 1971. The outpatient program in the Behavioral Health Unit provides affordable, structured treatment for people struggling with chemical and behavioral addictions, mood disorders and low self-esteem.
Treatment and Staff
Because this is a satellite program of the larger hospital, clients can begin treatment with medical detox before enrolling in the outpatient program. They also have access a large pool of staff, including doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, therapists and program specialists. Separate groups provide dual diagnosis support and help for behavioral addictions to things like gambling, food, sex and self-harm.
Most clients attend Lower Keys Medical Center’s outpatient program for between six and eight weeks. Group sizes vary—at any given time it might be five clients, it might be 25. When a new client comes to the program, he or she is assessed by the program’s director or another counselor. From there, a treatment plan is designed for the client. Substance abuse clients are required to attend at least three local 12-step meetings a week and must return a signed slip to the program as evidence of attendance. Clients are provided meeting schedules and often attend meetings together.
Licensed counselors lead all groups, which meet three days a week between 9 am and 12:45 pm. At Lower Keys Medical Center, group discussions focus on managing anxiety and anger, understanding trauma, health and wellness, self-esteem and processing through journaling. One of the counselors is a trained art therapist and frequently incorporates visual art into the groups she leads. After group, lunch is provided for all clients and transportation home is offered.
Every Friday, the resident psychiatrist meets individually with each client. If clients come into treatment with a personal therapist, Lower Keys Medical Center encourages them to continue seeing him or her. One-on-one therapy is not a stock element of this outpatient program; referrals are made to affiliated professionals and those sessions are billed separately.
In Summary
Lower Keys Medical Center provides a solid foundation for recovery at an affordable price, one that can be supplemented with outside care. Group therapy and 12-step meetings serve to foster a sense of community, but those with co-occurring mental health conditions and behavioral addictions will probably require some one-on-one time with a qualified therapist, over and above this program’s offerings.
Lower Keys Medical Center
1200 Kennedy Dr, Ste 1031
Key West, FL 33040
Lower Keys Medical Center Cost: $336 (30 days). Reach Lower Keys Medical Center by phone (305) 294-5531. Find Lower Keys Medical Center on Facebook and Twitter
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