Frequently Asked Questions

The process starts with a confidential phone call where we learn about your situation, history, goals, and any co-occurring conditions. If Footprints is the right fit, we verify your insurance benefits and coordinate your arrival. On your first day, you meet with our medical doctor for a comprehensive health exam, are assessed by a licensed professional, get assigned your individual therapist, and begin developing your personalized treatment plan. Our team handles all the logistics so you can focus on getting well.

We are in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Bright Health, Magellan, Optum VA Community Care Network, Beacon, First Health, TRICARE, and BayCare Cigna. We also accept many additional plans including BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, MultiPlan, United, Coventry Healthcare, and dozens more. Our admissions team will verify your specific benefits at no cost and walk you through exactly what your plan covers.

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept Medicare or Medicaid at this time. However, we do offer private pay options and can work with you to explore other insurance plans you may have access to. Our admissions team is happy to discuss all available options during your initial call.

Yes, private pay is available and is chosen by some clients who prefer greater privacy and more control over their treatment options. Private pay can also eliminate the need for insurance pre-authorizations and utilization reviews, allowing your clinical team to focus solely on what is best for your recovery. Contact our admissions team to discuss rates and payment arrangements.

You can verify your benefits by calling us directly or by filling out the insurance verification form on our website. Our team handles the entire process — we contact your provider, determine your in-network and out-of-network benefits, calculate any deductibles or co-pays, and explain everything to you in plain language before you make any decisions.

We welcome prospective clients and their families to visit our facility in Treasure Island. Seeing the beachside setting, meeting our team, and getting a feel for the environment can be an important part of making your decision. Contact our admissions team to schedule a tour at a time that works for you.

In many cases, we can coordinate admission within 24 to 48 hours of your initial call. Because we are a boutique 16-bed facility, availability can vary, but our admissions team works quickly to verify insurance, complete pre-screening, and arrange transportation or arrival logistics. If you or a loved one needs help now, do not hesitate to call — we will do everything we can to get you in as soon as possible.

Before discharge, your therapist works with you to develop a comprehensive aftercare plan that includes step-down recommendations (such as IOP or sober living), ongoing therapy referrals, 12-step meeting schedules, relapse prevention strategies, and connection to our alumni program. We do not just treat you and send you on your way — we help you build a sustainable recovery plan and stay connected to support long after you leave our facility.

Yes. Our alumni program keeps you connected to the Footprints community after you complete treatment. Alumni receive ongoing support, invitations to events and gatherings, and access to resources that help sustain long-term recovery. Many of our alumni stay in touch with their therapists and peers for years. Recovery is a lifelong journey, and our relationship with you does not end at discharge.

Relapse prevention is built into every stage of treatment at Footprints. Through individual and group therapy, clients learn to identify personal triggers, develop coping strategies, build healthy routines, and create action plans for high-risk situations. We use evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT alongside practical skills training. Before discharge, every client has a written relapse prevention plan that they have practiced and refined during their time in treatment.

Yes, and we strongly encourage it. Our full continuum of care allows you to transition seamlessly from Day/Night Treatment to IOP, then to Evening IOP or Virtual IOP, and into Sober Living — all within the Footprints system. Stepping down gradually rather than going directly from residential treatment to full independence significantly reduces the risk of relapse and gives you time to practice your recovery skills in progressively less structured environments.

Mornings often begin with beach meditation or yoga as the sun rises over Treasure Island. From there, the day includes a mix of individual therapy, group therapy sessions, educational workshops, and holistic activities. Clients in our Day/Night program receive 27 hours of structured programming per week. We also build in time for fitness, recreational activities, and personal reflection. Our approach intentionally mimics everyday life — clients participate in cooking, grocery shopping, and daily responsibilities to build the skills needed for independent sober living.

We are a boutique facility that treats approximately 15 clients at a time with a maximum of 16 beds. This small size is intentional — it ensures better client-to-staff ratios, more individualized attention, and a close-knit community feel. You will never feel like a number here. Our founders and clinical team know every client by name and are personally involved in each person’s recovery.

Yes. Our facility is located steps from the Gulf of Mexico in Treasure Island, FL, and the beach is an integral part of our therapeutic environment. Beach walks, morning meditation by the water, paddleboarding, kayaking, and other outdoor activities are woven into our programming. The calming coastal setting is one of the things that makes Footprints unique — nature and the ocean are powerful tools for healing.

Phone and electronics policies vary by program level and are discussed during your admissions call. In general, our clinical team establishes guidelines that balance staying connected with loved ones while minimizing distractions that can interfere with early recovery. The goal is to help you be fully present in your treatment experience.

We recommend bringing comfortable clothing suitable for the Florida beach climate, personal hygiene items, any prescribed medications in their original containers, a valid photo ID, and your insurance card. Since we incorporate beach and fitness activities, bring swimwear and athletic clothing as well. Our admissions team will provide a detailed packing list when you confirm your arrival date. Avoid bringing valuables, large amounts of cash, or any substances.

Yes. Clients attend outside AA and NA meetings in the local community, work with sponsors, complete step work, and engage in service work as part of their recovery. We believe connecting with the broader recovery community during treatment builds a support network that lasts well beyond your time at Footprints. That said, our approach is flexible — we meet clients where they are and support multiple pathways to recovery.

Yes. Family therapy is an important component of our treatment program. Addiction affects the entire family, and healing those relationships is critical to long-term recovery. Our family counseling sessions focus on communication skills, boundary setting, conflict resolution, and rebuilding trust. We help families understand addiction as a disease and give them tools to support their loved one’s recovery without enabling destructive patterns.

The most important first step is reaching out. Call our admissions team — the conversation is completely confidential, and we can guide you through your options even if your loved one is not yet ready for treatment. We can discuss intervention strategies, help you understand what treatment involves, and answer any questions you have. You do not need to have all the answers or wait for a crisis. Reaching out early gives your loved one the best chance at recovery.

Footprints was founded by a family that personally experienced addiction and recovery. That lived experience shapes everything we do — from the compassionate, judgment-free culture to the hands-on involvement of our leadership in every client’s care. Our founders are present at the facility, know clients by name, and are deeply invested in outcomes. When we say we understand what you are going through, it is because we have been there. That authenticity is something you can feel from the moment you walk through our doors.

Yes, we welcome family visits and believe maintaining healthy family connections supports the recovery process. Visitation schedules and guidelines are established by the clinical team and shared during the admissions process. In addition to in-person visits, family therapy sessions provide a structured setting for families to reconnect, work through difficult conversations, and build a foundation for the relationship going forward.

We offer gender-specific housing in two recently renovated properties. Our Women’s Seaside Escape features Gulf sunset views and is a two-minute walk to the beach. Our Men’s Cottage by the Sea includes a patio with a fire pit and is a short walk to the Gulf and local shopping areas. Both homes are designed to feel comfortable and home-like rather than institutional — because recovery happens best when you feel safe and at ease.

We are located at 9641 Gulf Blvd Suite B in Treasure Island, Florida 33706 — a charming old Florida beach town on the Gulf Coast, just minutes from St. Petersburg and Tampa. The area is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, calm waters, and relaxed atmosphere. Our treatment facility and housing are all within the beachside community, giving clients daily access to the healing power of the ocean.

Our facility includes a full gym with personal training available, beach access for recreational therapy and meditation, kayaks and paddleboards, comfortable common areas for group activities and relaxation, and home-like living spaces. The Treasure Island community itself offers scenic walks, local restaurants for outings later in treatment, and a peaceful coastal environment that supports the recovery process.

Yes. Our FARR-accredited Sober Living program is located in Largo, FL, and provides structured transitional housing for clients stepping down from residential treatment. Requirements include maintaining employment or attending school, observing curfews, participating in house meetings, and submitting to regular drug testing. Sober living bridges the gap between intensive treatment and fully independent living, giving you a supportive environment while you build your new life in recovery.

Yes. Footprints Beachside Recovery is Joint Commission Accredited, which is the gold standard in healthcare quality and safety. Our Sober Living program is also FARR (Florida Association of Recovery Residences) accredited. These accreditations mean our facility, staff, and programming meet rigorous standards for clinical care, safety, and ethical practices.

Our clinical team uses a combination of evidence-based and holistic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed group therapy, individual therapy (minimum twice per week), and family therapy. We also integrate holistic approaches like yoga therapy, art and expressive arts therapy, Biosound therapy, fitness and nutrition programming, and outdoor recreational therapy. Every treatment plan is individualized.

Trauma-informed care recognizes that many people struggling with addiction have experienced trauma — whether physical, emotional, or psychological — that contributes to their substance use. At Footprints, our licensed mental health professionals are certified in trauma resolution therapies. We screen for trauma early in treatment and integrate specialized approaches like our Trauma Therapy Program to address these underlying issues. Treating trauma alongside addiction significantly improves long-term outcomes.

Yes, holistic healing is central to our approach. We offer yoga therapy with sequences specifically designed for addiction recovery, art and expressive arts therapy (including visual arts, movement, drama, music, and writing), Biosound therapy, fitness and nutrition programs with gym access and personal training, and outdoor recreational therapy including fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and beach activities. Our 60-day program also includes equine therapy — a full-day retreat working with horses.

Equine therapy involves guided interactions with horses in a therapeutic setting. Horses are highly attuned to human emotions, making them powerful mirrors for self-awareness. Working with horses builds trust, communication skills, emotional regulation, and confidence — all critical skills in recovery. Our equine therapy is available as part of the 60-day program and takes place as a day-long off-site retreat facilitated by trained professionals.

Clients in our Day/Night Treatment program meet with their assigned individual therapist a minimum of twice per week. These one-on-one sessions are where you dive deepest into personal issues, process trauma, develop coping strategies, and track your progress. Your therapist works with you from admission through discharge and helps coordinate your step-down and aftercare planning.

Once a month, we take clients off-site for a full nature retreat day. These retreats may include guided meditation in local parks, kayaking through Florida waterways, ropes courses, or other outdoor experiential activities. Nature retreat days break the routine, build teamwork, and give clients an opportunity to practice coping skills and mindfulness in real-world settings outside the treatment environment.

We offer a full continuum of care including medically supervised detox (with trusted local partners for severe cases), Day/Night Treatment (a residential-style PHP program), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Evening IOP for those with work or school commitments, Virtual IOP for remote participation, a standard Outpatient Program, and FARR-accredited Sober Living in Largo, FL. Each level of care is designed to meet you wherever you are in your recovery journey.

Our Day/Night Treatment program is available in 30, 60, and 90-day formats, with 27 hours per week of structured programming. Outpatient programs typically run 9 to 15 hours per week. The length of your stay is determined collaboratively between you, your therapist, and our clinical team based on your individual progress and needs. Many clients benefit from stepping down through multiple levels of care over several months.

We treat addiction to alcohol, opioids (including heroin and fentanyl), cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription medications (such as Xanax and Valium), marijuana, kratom, ecstasy, hallucinogens, and other substances. Our clinical team has extensive experience with a wide range of substance use disorders and will tailor your treatment plan to address your specific situation.

Yes. Our Suboxone program uses medication-assisted treatment as a clinical bridge tool to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings, particularly for opioid addiction. We do not use Suboxone as a standalone treatment — it is integrated into a comprehensive plan that includes therapy, group work, and holistic care. When clinically appropriate, we work with clients on a gradual tapering schedule.

Absolutely. We believe gender-specific programming creates a safer, more open environment for healing. Our Men’s Rehab Program and Women’s Rehab Program each include dedicated group therapy sessions, gender-specific housing, and programming that addresses the unique challenges men and women face in recovery. Housing is completely separate — our Men’s Cottage by the Sea and Women’s Seaside Escape each provide distinct, comfortable living environments.

Dual diagnosis treatment addresses both addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions simultaneously, which is critical because one often fuels the other. At Footprints, we treat co-occurring disorders including anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. Our licensed mental health professionals are certified in trauma resolution therapies and develop integrated treatment plans that address both conditions together.

Yes. We offer tailored treatment tracks for business professionals, healthcare workers (doctors and nurses), emergency responders (EMTs and first responders), military veterans, and young adults. Each track addresses the unique pressures, triggers, and professional considerations these populations face. For veterans, we accept TRICARE and participate in the Optum VA Community Care Network.

Our Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program delivers the same quality clinical programming as our in-person IOP through a secure online platform. It runs 3 hours per day, 3 to 5 days per week, and includes group therapy, individual sessions, and skills development. Virtual IOP is insurance-eligible and is ideal for clients who have completed residential treatment and returned home, or for those who cannot attend in person due to geographic or scheduling constraints.