Jewish Community Mental Health Support
For over 35 years, Lifeskills has partnered with Jewish communities to provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment for mental health and substance use disorders in a culturally sensitive, supportive environment.
Program Highlights
At Lifeskills, we provide a respectful, dignified, and culturally sensitive environment where clients’ strengths promote healing. Our comprehensive approach encompasses a range of therapeutic interventions and services, including psychiatric and medical care, nursing, individual and family therapy, group therapy, case management, and additional holistic services.
In addition to evidence-based programming, we offer specialized support, including:
- One-on-one spiritual counseling
- Weekly Shabbat dinners and celebrations
- Observance of major Jewish holidays
- Weekly kosher food shopping
- Kosher kitchenware and appliances
These services are designed to support lasting recovery and personal growth while honoring each client’s cultural values.
Meet Rabbi Gaines
Rabbi Brandon Gaines leads personalized care, supported by our Lifeskills medical director, clinical director, and a dedicated team of over a dozen licensed clinicians with advanced certifications, ensuring comprehensive, high-quality treatment for every client.
The Lifeskills Difference
Expert Treatment
Lifeskills’ clinical pathways are the foundation of our evidence-based practices. A doctoral-level or licensed clinician with advanced national certifications leads each pathway, bringing expertise to every stage of care. Each pathway offers tailored care to guide clients toward lasting recovery.
Collaborative Care
Lifeskills offers a deeply personalized and collaborative approach to recovery. We work closely with clients, their families, and external providers to create tailored treatment plans, ensuring comprehensive care while respecting each individual’s spiritual beliefs and traditions.
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“At Lifeskills, we have a thriving Jewish community with unique needs, so we developed dedicated mental health treatment support for that community. We recognize that for an individual to be successful in recovery, they need to feel understood and welcomed, which is why we’re proud to have a clinically excellent treatment team with expertise in this area. I’m grateful every day that I can practice my faith in my profession while helping others in need.”
Rabbi Brandon Gaines, DBT Intensively Trained
Group Leader
Jewish Alumni Support Group
The Jewish Support Group is an online community established in February 2024 by Lifeskills alum, Baila B., to provide connection, support, and meaningful engagement to address the social and emotional challenges facing the Jewish community. This alumni-led peer support group was designed and created for Jewish individuals seeking connection and understanding to allow people to be themselves fully, honestly and without explanation.
Their group meets weekly on Tuesday evenings and follows a structured format that includes peer support, group check-ins, and educational discussions centered on Judaism, Jewish values, and the Jewish calendar. Open to Jewish alumni, family members, and friends of the community, the Jewish Support Group fosters community, resilience and ongoing personal growth.
To join the Jewish Alumni Online Community on GroupMe and receive the weekly meeting link, please contact Alumni Coordinator Dani Lozzi.
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“Going to a treatment center as a religious Jew can be challenging—especially when it comes to keeping kosher. That’s why I was so relieved and grateful when I discovered that Lifeskills had a rabbi on staff. Rabbi Gaines, Dr. Ockman, and my entire clinical team made sure I felt seen, supported, and understood every step of the way.
Lifeskills went above and beyond: they bought me new pots and pans, along with a convection oven, so I could maintain the highest standards of kosher. Even the nutritionist was knowledgeable about kosher laws and helped me create a healthy meal plan that worked within the small space I had available.
Rabbi Gaines helped me reconnect with a part of myself I thought I’d lost. He even joined my care team at times to bridge cultural understanding. Shabbat wasn’t always easy, but Lifeskills made sure I had what I needed — including a havdalah candle. I am deeply thankful to Rabbi Gaines and the entire Lifeskills team for allowing me to be myself while also helping me rebuild my life.”
Baila B.
Alum
Voices from our community
“Rabbi Brandon Gaines and Dr. Krista were a part of my treatment here at Lifeskills. They were always there to listen and help me process the challenges coming from the exposure therapy. I'd describe my time here as life-changing in many ways.”
Take the first step toward a brighter future.
Lifeskills offers evidence-based treatment for mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders across Florida. Contact the admissions team to request a confidential assessment — the first step toward lasting recovery.
Your privacy is our priority. All communication is completely confidential.