Positive Directions
The Center for Prevention and Counseling
Founded over 50 years ago, Positive Directions is a nonprofit dedicated to improving mental wellbeing and preventing substance misuse among individuals, families, and communities. We never turn away due to inability to pay.
Need help finding the right place to start? We’ll guide you.
Already have an appointment? Join your telehealth session.
We are an outpatient clinic operating during set business hours. If you need immediate mental health support, call or text 988 or dial 2-1-1, option 1. If you or someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911.
See What Makes Us Special.
We’re not your typical outpatient clinic! We offer free, unique peer support programs for young adults, people in recovery, people experiencing crisis, and families/caregivers. We lead communities in making positive changes through coalition, educational, and environmental efforts.
We’re an innovative community nonprofit providing leadership in mental health, substance prevention, and peer support.
Prevention Leadership to Our Communities
Learn More
Counseling & Medication
Learn More
Peer & Recovery Supports
Learn More
Meet The Team
Learn More
Mental Health Promotion Resources
Learn More
Substance Misuse Resources
Learn More
Trusted in the Community.
Donors, sponsors, and community partners help make this work possible.
Caring staff. Skilled support. Positive change.
People come to Positive Directions as a trusted partner, whether for one-on one support or community-level change. We meet you with respect, skill, and support, and help build the approaches and tools that make things better.
I’ve had 6 students come to me with concerns about a peer or friend that they became aware of after your QPR training. All these students brought forward valid and concerning situations and shared that the training helped them feel more confident addressing concerns and seeking help. Thank you again for the impact of this work—it’s clearly making a difference.
We are so fortunate to have Positive Directions serving Fairfield County- the team is compassionate, professional and extremely talented – I highly recommend them for young people and their families in need of their services.
Positive Directions is tremendous resource for our communities. The work done by this agency in all aspects of mental health and well-being is exceptional!
Positive Directions’ leadership of The Norwalk Partnership coalition gives us tools and resources that as partnering organizations and individuals we likely wouldn’t have otherwise. For example, the data from the youth surveys, where queer and marginalized youth have consistently shown up as highest risk, has created momentum and opportunities for Triangle Community Center to push on initiatives and programs specifically supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.
It was great being in your [training] session today. I learned a ton!
What a great addition Jennifer was to our school community. She connected with many students who seek her out, and she made an impact on their decision making and coping skills.
Local Problems Require Local Solutions
We lead community coalitions to create healthier environments that foster mental wellbeing and prevent risky behaviors, with a primary focus on supporting youth.
Counseling Can Help. We Make it Easy.
Find out how counseling can help you cope with your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
We primarily serve Connecticut residents (ages 5+), either at our office in Westport or via telehealth. We accept HUSKY, Medicare, and most state and commercial insurances, and we never turn anyone away for inability to pay. Our sliding-fee scale and treatment fund allow us to serve those who are underinsured or uninsured.
Medication Management
Affordable Care
Free Peer Support
Free Peer Support & Skills Building on Your Journey.
- Our free weekly support groups are held online, led by trained facilitators with lived experience. We have groups to help people cope with suicidal thoughts, recovery, or a loved one who is struggling.
- Our CT Support Group virtual platforms provide community, peer support, and connections for young people in CT.
- Young adults from our CT Support Group project can provide 1:1 support to teens or young adults for free, statewide.
Your donation keeps care accessible for everyone.
As a nonprofit, Positive Directions can say “yes” more often because donors help cover the gap between what care costs and what many people can afford. Your gift supports counseling access, free prevention education, and free recovery support across Connecticut.