First Step Recovery Centers

First Step Recovery Centers offers two outpatient levels of care designed for people at different stages of recovery. The standard Outpatient Program provides ongoing support for individuals who have established some stability and are focused on maintaining their recovery, while the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers a more structured schedule for those who need closer clinical contact — without the commitment of residential treatment.

Both programs are available in person at the Madison Avenue clinic in Memphis and through telehealth, making First Step accessible to clients across Tennessee who may face transportation barriers or scheduling constraints. This dual-format model reflects the center's commitment to meeting people where they are in their recovery journey rather than requiring them to conform to a one-size schedule.

A significant portion of people seeking addiction treatment are also managing co-occurring mental health conditions. First Step Recovery Centers is built to address this reality directly, treating trauma, PTSD, and dual diagnosis alongside substance use disorders within its outpatient framework. Comprehensive assessments at intake help identify the full scope of what each person is dealing with, allowing the clinical team to build a treatment approach that accounts for both dimensions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) serves as the core therapeutic method at First Step — a structured, skills-based approach that helps clients recognize and shift the thought patterns connected to substance use and mental health challenges. For people in recovery who have experienced trauma, having that clinical depth available in an outpatient setting — rather than needing to enter a residential program — can make the difference between engaging with treatment and avoiding it altogether.

First Step Recovery Centers works with adults navigating substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and trauma — including individuals referred through the court system. Court-ordered clients receive the same person-centered, empowering treatment environment as voluntary clients, within a structured program that satisfies legal and probationary requirements.

The center accepts self-pay and offers financial assistance for those who qualify, acknowledging that cost is one of the most common reasons people delay or avoid treatment. Located in Memphis and extending its reach via telehealth across Tennessee, First Step serves Shelby County and beyond — functioning as a recovery community anchor for people who want to build a sober life while staying connected to their families, jobs, and communities.

CARF accreditation — awarded by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities — is an independent, internationally recognized standard for behavioral health and addiction treatment programs. For families evaluating outpatient programs and recovery centers on behalf of a loved one, CARF status provides a meaningful checkpoint: it signals that First Step Recovery Centers has met rigorous quality benchmarks that go beyond state licensing requirements.

Choosing a CARF-accredited addiction treatment program in Memphis means choosing accountability. First Step's accreditation, combined with its person-centered philosophy and comprehensive assessment process, gives clients and their support networks a clearer picture of what to expect — and a stronger foundation for trusting the care being provided.