Outpatient Counseling in Westport and across Connecticut

Talk-based counseling for individuals, couples, and families. In our Westport office or telehealth across Connecticut. Ages 5 and up.

Confidential. Supportive. Affordable.

Founded in 1971 | In person and virtual | HUSKY and commercial insurance | Sliding scale | We never turn anyone away

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

What we help with

Common reasons people reach out.

People come to us for support through a range of life situations. A few of the most common:

Stress, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed

Sadness, low mood, and grief

Family or relationship strain

Substance use concerns, in your life or a loved one's

Recovery and post-recovery support

School, work, or life transitions

Anxiety, depression, grief, trauma

OCD, eating disorders,

Couple’s counseling, play therapy

When outpatient counseling may not be the right fit.

We are honest about what we offer. Outpatient counseling at Positive Directions is not the right level of care for everyone, and our intake coordinator will help you find the right setting if we are not it. Reasons we may refer you elsewhere include:

We will tell you. And we will help you take the next step.

A different level of care. (inpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization).

You are in active crisis. Call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or 211 (option 1 in Connecticut) for immediate support.

You need a specialty service we do not provide.

Your needs are a better fit for one of our peer support groups.

Our approach

Evidence-based support, explained simply.

Our counselors meet you where you are. We use proven approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based methods, tailored to your goals and your situation.

Counseling at Positive Directions is collaborative. You and your counselor decide together what matters most and how to work on it.

What to expect

What getting started looks like.

Reach out

Call (203) 227-7644 or fill out our confidential intake form. We will get back to you quickly.

Initial Contact Form and phone call.

We will walk you through our Initial Contact Form (ICF) and have a brief phone conversation to make sure outpatient services are the right fit, and to check insurance and scheduling.

Your first session

This is a structured assessment, not a casual conversation. Your counselor will guide you through behavioral health screenings, risk assessments, and informed consent. They will explain everything as you go. By the end, you will have a plan for what is next.

Cost

Cost should never be the reason someone goes without support.

We accept HUSKY and are in network with all state and commercial insurances. Our sliding fee scale and Treatment Fund support clients who are underinsured or uninsured. We never turn anyone away. Counseling at Positive Directions is affordable.

Where we work

In person and virtual.

In person:

Our office is at 90 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06880. Free parking. Accessible entrance.

Virtual

Secure telehealth for residents of Connecticut, New York, and New Hampshire, Vermont, Illinois, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts. If you live in one of those states, you can be seen from anywhere within it.

In schools:

Reach out to find out which schools have an on-site counselor this year.

Meet our team

Meet the people behind the care.

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

Stephen Osika

Margaret Watt

Leslie Corrigan

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!!!”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is counseling confidential?

Yes. What you share with your counselor stays between you and your counselor, with the legal exceptions every clinician is required to follow (risk of harm to self or others, abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult, court orders). We will walk you through those exceptions at intake.

Do you take my insurance?

We accept HUSKY and all state and commercial insurance plans. See our Cost and How to Pay page for the full list, or call us to verify your specific plan.

What if I cannot afford it?

Cost is not a reason to go without support. We have a sliding fee scale and a Treatment Fund. See Cost and How to Pay or give us a call to talk through your options.

Do you offer telehealth?

Yes. We see Connecticut residents by secure video across the state.

How do I get started?

Call (203) 227-7644 or fill out our intake form. We will be in touch.

How long are sessions?

A typical session is 45 to 50 minutes. Your counselor will confirm at intake.

What happens in the first session?

It is a structured assessment, not a casual conversation. Your counselor will guide you through behavioral health screenings, risk assessments, and informed consent. They will explain everything as you go.

Do you prescribe medication?

Counseling and medication are separate services. If you also need medication support, see our Medication Management page. Many clients work with both teams.

Ready to take the first step?

Confidential. No judgment. Just support.