behavior technician

substance abuse counselor

patient services representative

maintenance technician

licensed practical nurse

Phoenix House Florida

A typical day at work is coming in serving a community of people that constantly need your energy and positive reinforcement. I have learned to focus on my career path and where I see myself in the organization in the next 2-3 years. I also learned the importance of what the organization does behind those seeking treatment in a rehabilitation facility and how all departments make meaningful connections and impacts. 

If I had to guess the leadership (management) style, I would say it is a mixture of transformational, autocratic, servant, and transactional leadership practices. This also depends on the department as well. 

The workplace culture is different than any organizational structure I have experienced in my career. There is always a desire to improve and get better however at times it can feel like there is resistance to change to align with competitors within the market. However, the company has strong values, beliefs, and diversity and creates an inclusive culture. 

The hardest part of my job... I would have to say would be staff and the lack of appreciation at times. 

The most enjoyable part of my job is making a difference with clients and staff. What drives my motivation daily is the feeling of being a part of a project that creates a change within the organization. My dream would be to help the organization become the #1 Treatment Facility within the state of Florida and the Best Place to Work award. 

If you’re someone who advocates for clients, expects ethical standards, or simply speaks up, this job will wear you down fast.

The leadership culture is toxic. Unqualified individuals are promoted into power and then use it to micromanage, intimidate, and belittle staff. Constructive feedback doesn’t exist here, just vague criticism, backhanded comments, and a constant sense that you’re being watched or set up. Communication is consistently poor, and staff are left to clean up the fallout.

The women’s unit is treated unfairly and harshly compared to the men’s unit. While male clients are often praised and protected, the women’s unit — both clients and staff — are targeted, criticized, and dismissed. If you’re passionate about your work, that will be twisted into being “difficult”, “aggressive”, “overwhelmed”. If you show empathy towards clients, you’re “unprofessional”, “have no boundaries” or “easily manipulated” because remember, they’re just criminals/addicts (according to management)!

The one saving grace is the clients. Working with them was the best part of this job, and the only reason I stayed as long as I did. They deserve better — better support, better leadership, and a better environment. Unfortunately, anyone who tries to provide that will likely be pushed out.

People who use drugs are not the problem, the way we treat them is. Think carefully before applying. This job may teach you a lot, but at the cost of your voice, your values, your job, and your peace of mind. 

If you're looking for strong leadership, clear systems, and a workplace built on accountability, keep looking. Phoenix House markets itself as a trauma-informed program but operates more like a revolving door of staff, of clients, and of standards.

Training is rushed or nonexistent. Policies shift depending on who you ask. Clinical staff are stretched thin, and decisions often feel more reactive than intentional. It's the kind of place where burnout is normalized and doing "just enough" is mistaken for excellence.

You will learn a lot here, mostly by necessity. But if you're someone who values real growth, impact, and professional integrity, this might not be the environment that gets you there.

If you are new in the field of counseling or social work, you may find this place a learning experience from which you grow as a "judgemental and all addicts are liars" perspective. As a seasoned counselor,  you will be running around trying to help clients heal and overcome addictions with absolutely no help from management.  The culture is micromanaged by a handful of non clinical staff who do not know anything about healing, trauma or telling the truth about anything. They backstab, lie to your face and blame everything on the clients. Sounds like a great place to work as a dictatorship. Don't bother trying to change anything because all it does is put your head on the chopping block. If you desire to serve clientele from a holistic  approach, my advice, open up your own practice. These establishments are for those who can't counsel... as the sane goes " those who can, do and those who can't, teach. "

Throughout my years of experience as both an administrator and a provider, I have had the opportunity to work at a variety of programs. However, my tenure at Phoenix House has proven to be the most challenging and rewarding. Each day, I am motivated to improve, grow, and expand my knowledge. I firmly believe that Phoenix House possesses the capability to deliver the level of services to which I am deeply committed, aligning closely with my ethical and clinical values. I find great satisfaction in both the work I perform and the individuals with whom I collaborate. This experience will not only enhance personal development but also cultivate one into a diligent and highly qualified professional.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Don't have anything good to say. Company very unprofessional 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
No team players. Everyone cut throat. Stressful environment.  Would not recommend to anyone to work there. Worst job I ever had.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Hostile and unacceptable. The worst nursing job I've had in my whole career 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Being undermined by staff that are not liscscened but been there for many years and feel entitled. So much shenanigans go on there they should be shut down.

To work here you can expect not getting lunches, having to flex your hours, to avoid overtime.  No proper trainings for daily tasks, in addition to the additional tasks placed upon you.  Management is manipulative, is of no help, overrides primary's clinical decision's without question, leaves early everyday.  What you learn is how not to be a counselor, the incorrect way to treat client's, and co-workers.  The hardest part of the job is  seeing the client's being treated badly by staff repeatedly and nothing being done to correct it, rather than providing those staff promotions.  The most enjoyable part of the job were days off.

This agency has had a surprisingly large number of staff leave and re-apply when they've learned the "grass isn't always greener" which I believe says a lot in support of this agency. The work is definitely tough, as both the population and the field require hard work. Although some people may negatively focus on all the job requirements, it's all about perspective; there is plenty of opportunity to notice and recognize growth among clients which is rewarding for clinical work. 

This company fosters an insufferable work environment where favoritism runs rampant. Management targets certain employees, overworks them, and underpays across the board. There is a complete lack of accountability—policies are inconsistent and seem to shift depending on who’s being targeted. Standards are enforced selectively, creating an insufferable and unfair workplace. Due to high turnover and a damaged reputation, they are now attempting to recruit through third-party staffing agencies. Proceed with extreme caution.


What is the best part of working at the company?
The clients and helping many in the community who are often judged or not seen. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
That can change but it’s nothing to do with those we are there to help. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Team work and almost family like. There’s true compassion for coworkers and our clients. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy fast and heart touching . A lot of client interactions and data entry

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Behavior technician 3 salaries reported	$17.67 per hour
Substance abuse counselor 3 salaries reported	$47,000 per year
Patient services representative 5 salaries reported	$18.00 per hour
Maintenance technician 1 salary reported	$27.92 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 11 salaries reported	$26.00 per hour

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