About Positive Directions

Founded in 1971. A nonprofit dedicated to mental wellbeing and substance misuse prevention across Connecticut.

Founded 1971 | 501(c)(3) | Coalition leaders | Westport, CT and statewide | We never turn anyone away

Need help finding the right place to start? We’ll guide you.

Meet our team

Meet the team.

You will work with a counselor who is committed to respectful, effective support. Our team brings real clinical training and the willingness to listen.

Our story.

Positive Directions began in 1971 as the Alcoholism Council, a volunteer organization founded by people in recovery from alcohol use disorder. Their goal was to bring substance misuse awareness into Westport schools and the broader community and to support recovery. Over the next five decades the organization evolved into a 501(c)(3) behavioral health nonprofit with a statewide reach.

Today we treat people across the lifespan, ages 5 and up. We serve clients in our Westport office, virtually across Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, and Illinois. We lead and support coalitions that change the environments young people grow up in.

We believe mental wellbeing is a right for everyone. We never turn anyone away because of cost.

What we do

Prevention

Coalition work, training, and youth-focused programs that change environments before crises start

Learn about Prevention

Counseling

Outpatient counseling and medication management. In person in Westport, virtual across Connecticut.

Learn about Counseling

Peer Support

Free, peer-led support groups for suicide prevention, recovery, caregivers, and young people.

Learn about Peer Support

Our coalition leadership

Leaders in The Norwalk Partnership.

We co-lead The Norwalk Partnership, a coalition of community organizations, schools, families, and providers working to improve youth mental health and reduce youth substance use across Mid-Fairfield.

Our youth surveys and prevention research have been used by partner organizations across the region to develop programs that support young people at highest risk, including LGBTQIA+ youth.

Testimonials

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.

“Quinn has supported me through ups and downs… Having Quinn as a mentor and peer supporter has been an awesome experience, as they have been there to talk with me and have offered insight and guidance when I needed it. I think every teenager/young adult should be able to have someone like that.”

“Positive Directions is a tremendous resource for our communities. The work
done by this agency in all aspects of mental health and well-being is
exceptional!”

“What a great addition [your peer substance counselor] has been to our community. She has connected with many students that seek her out every Friday and has already made an impact on their decision making and coping skills.”

“HUGE shoutout to Quinn who miraculously managed to bring E. out of their shell a bit and into a peer support relationship…. E. seems encouraged and hopeful, which has been rare these days!!!”