Kinder in the Keys

I’m so grateful for my time there and highly recommend it to anyone in need of real support. The facility is warm and inviting really made me feel comfortable. My therapist was incredible, all the staff were very friendly even just walking by everyone greets you with a simple "good morning or afternoon". I was worried about having a roommate but it really was the easiest thing. I will say that even though its beautiful and picture perfect its not a vacation you have to want to do the work you have to want to heal, I went in knowing that what I had been doing wasn't working so I was an open book saying "show me" and reminding myself "I CAN do this, I have to be open to relearning and unlearning my old negative ways" I truly think you get what you give out of the program, if your open to it you can learn to heal, and that is ALL Kinder In The Keys kept asking was for me to be "open". As someone whose had walls up for so long, being in a place where I could trust that I was being heard and seen did more for me than I can ever really express. Thank you Kinder In The Keys for helping me find ME again.

Kinder in the Keys was the best decision I ever made! I went when I was 21 years old suffering from depression. I was worried I would be the only young person and it would be awkward but I loved absolutely everything about it! Swimming with dolphins at the end was incredible enough alone! Life changing!

This retreat became one of the most terrifying experiences of my life, and that is saying so much considering the trauma I was already carrying. I left after only two days because I no longer felt safe. I was given medication that was not mine, and at first I was told I had simply “received too much.” Later, I found out it wasn’t even my medication at all — it belonged to another patient. I didn’t know what my meds looked like because they prescribed all new ones that day. One of the drugs was a beta blocker, and I suffer from sinus bradycardia (a low heart rate). That medication is meant to lower heart rate even further. I honestly could have died. When the hospital tried to contact the retreat for information about what exactly I had been given, I was told they hung up on them. Because of that, the hospital filed an incident report and reported the situation to several agencies, since they couldn’t get the information they needed about the medication. Sitting there in the ER, scared, drugged, and confused, was one of the most helpless moments I’ve ever had. When I returned to the retreat to get my items after my hospital stay, they held them captive and wouldn’t allow me on the premise which prompted me to contact the police who had to force them to give me my belongings. From the moment I walked into the retreat, some of the girls warned me that the place was run horribly. Unfortunately, my own experience matched what they said. The only two meals I had were reheated leftovers. No animals at all were on the premise. Hot tub didn’t work. Nothing felt structured, comforting, or safe. I didn’t feel cared for—I felt like I was just trying to survive the environment. What makes all of this even more heartbreaking is why I came there in the first place. I was trying to heal from being kidnapped, raped, and almost murdered by a stranger. I was already shattered and desperate for support. Instead, this retreat added more trauma on top of everything I was already fighting through. I left feeling shaken, terrified, and even more broken than when I arrived. I’m sharing my experience because I truly hope no one else ever has to go through what I went through. This was supposed to help me. Instead, it made everything so much worse. Please reconsider going here.

I recently completed my stay at Kinder and to say it was transformative is an understatement. The staff utilized a mind body spirit approach to healing that I felt was most beneficial. They focused on teaching me how to fuel my body and the importance of daily movement. I learned how to understand not only what I’m feeling but why I am feeling that way. My favorite activity was the dolphin swim. If you’re struggling with unresolved issues and can’t seem to break your cycles I recommend reaching out to see if they can help you.

My recent experience at Kinder in the Keys has been nothing short of profoundly impactful, and I felt compelled to share my perspective. It's essential to recognize that each individual's journey toward healing is unique, marked by distinct needs and challenges, making it an immense task for any facility to universally satisfy everyone. This reality holds true for all institutions, including Kinder in the Keys. From the moment I arrived, I was immediately struck by the welcoming atmosphere. I was greeted with genuine warmth, and a palpable sense of peace settled over me, instantly alleviating any initial apprehension. My personal objectives in seeking their care were clear: to cultivate more constructive habits, reframe my thought processes, and embark on a journey of self-discovery to truly understand what I need to foster greater personal happiness. What truly set Kinder in the Keys apart was the exceptional dedication and authentic compassion demonstrated by the entire staff. Their commitment to the well-being of each resident was not merely professional but deeply personal, creating an environment of trust and genuine support that is rare to find. Based on my deeply transformative time there, I wholeheartedly and without reservation recommend Kinder in the Keys. It is an invaluable resource for anyone contemplating seeking professional assistance for themselves, or for families who are navigating how to best support a loved one through difficult times. My only regret is not having discovered this remarkable establishment years ago. The insights and practical tools I gained have fundamentally changed my outlook, and I am confident that by continuing to apply these principles, I am well on my way to living a more joyful and fulfilling life. Kimberly

I sought treatment this year at Kinder in the Keys. From my initial phone call to make inquiries to post discharge at present, I have been surrounded by what I collectively refer to as my Kinder Angels (staff and peers). These processes are difficult you have to be honest with yourself and be ready to face things, this is your journey and Kinder is there to guide and give healthy tools, make no mistake that you will do the work and will come through grateful. For me personally, they saved my life by answering the phone believing in me accepting me; and then in treatment, they gave me the tools I would need to continue to save my own life every day post discharge. I’m here thriving. I made the decision during treatment that if I made it through and so I would get their symbol as a tattoo, and that was LITERALLY the first thing I did post discharge with great pride and self love. 10 out of 10. Whatever rating method used, they will get the best score due to their high level of care. Anyone who is lucky enough to go there will not regret it. I am forever grateful to Kinder in the Keys!

I am just now able to articulate my experience at KIK. It has been several months since I did my 30 day residential. I have worked with a therapist since coming home to be able to express properly my experience. I had an excellent therapist. She truly cared for me and helped me sort thru things. My main concern was related to food. We were promised and actually had to agree with a signature that we were willing to eat only organic non GMO no processed foods. We also learned on weekends it was up to us to cook with what we had from the week that our personal chef left us. She bought all our groceries. She prepared all our lunch and dinner meals Monday-Friday. We were at her mercy. She was friendly at first and shared personal stuff with us and made small talk. She also had huge mood swings up and down so one day she was snarky and sharp and the next hilarious and pleasant. Long story short she got offended that we requested refills on basic necessities over the weekend like fresh fruit and veggies and creamer. She then punished us by making 5 different dishes for lunch with all the ingredients we did have and told us sarcastically about how much food she found in our fridge. When we returned to our home we had empty shelves across the board both with our fridge and pantry. This sent all of the ladies into sheer panic. Mind you we are here for mental health, and struggle with regulation and coping skills. We were vulnerable and put into a panic as we had no access to outside food or grocery items. We were completely at their mercy. Several hours later (after we as clients were left alone to comfort one another with no staff assistance) we were brought a brand new grocery haul with treats and snacks and fresh items galore. It seemed like a mind game. It was also extremely unprofessional and left clients feeling un safe… when should food be taken away again? This was also NEVER addressed with us as clients and staff acted as though it never happened. Chef then started dropping our food off downstairs and not interacting with us. It was uncomfortable and caused many in the house with past disordered eating issues to flair. I hope this chef has been dealt with along with staff training to communicate openly so that the clients who come into this space vulnerably are treated with dignity and respect.

I am updating my review because Kinder in the Keys edited their public responses to both my review and another resident’s review after they were already posted. I have screenshots of the original responses and the edited versions. Readers deserve to know that some of the facility’s replies have been quietly changed after the fact. Transparency should never be optional when people’s health and safety are involved. My experience at Kinder in the Keys included medication errors, interns or unlicensed staff leading therapy groups, and services that did not reflect the program’s advertised standards. Several other former residents have reported the same issues, which indicates a pattern—not an isolated incident. A reviewer calling themselves “Mystic Dream” posted information about my stay that no other patient would reasonably know unless it was disclosed by staff. The fact that such details appeared publicly, and were validated by Kinder in their response, raises serious concerns about confidentiality and how patient information is handled at this facility. Kinder has also blocked my direct email communications, which has prevented me from obtaining my medical records and discharge paperwork through normal, professional channels. My messages to multiple staff emails are bounced or blocked outright. No legitimate healthcare facility should ever force a patient to use a Google review comment section as their only method of communication. In a public Google comment, Kinder stated that I must “mail a signed request” to their address but did not provide a functioning phone number, email address, or contact person for their records department. This is not how medical records requests are supposed to be handled, and it does not meet HIPAA requirements. To date, I have still not received any of the following: • My complete medical record • An itemized billing statement • Medication administration logs • Incident reports involving my care • My full discharge paperwork These documents are not optional—they are legally required under HIPAA and Florida law. Due to these issues, all evidence (including screenshots of edited responses, communication attempts, and timeline documentation) has been submitted to: • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Office for Civil Rights • Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) • Florida Department of Health (DOH) • Florida Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division This will be my final update. I will no longer engage publicly. Any further communication regarding my records or my care must occur through the appropriate regulatory channels. I am sharing my experience so other women can make informed decisions. Based on my experience and the experiences of other former residents, I strongly encourage anyone considering Kinder in the Keys to research thoroughly and ask specific questions about clinical staffing, medication procedures, and record access before committing to treatment.