Outpatient Counseling
Talk-based counseling for individuals, couples, and families. In-person in our Westport office or by telehealth in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Vermont. Ages 5 & up.
Scroll down to see the areas we treat–and reach out if you are experiencing a concern not listed here.
Need help finding the right place to start? Just ask – we’ll guide you.
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.
What We Help With.
People come to us for support through a range of life situations. A few of the most common:
- Anxiety, depression, and OCD
- Stress, grief, and trauma
- Eating disorders
- Family and relationship strain
- Substance use concerns
- Recovery and post-recovery support
- Life transitions
- Play therapy for children
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:
- A different level of care is more appropriate (inpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization.)
- You are in active crisis. Call or text 988 (the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or 211, option 1 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 or for an outside support program.
Evidence-based support, explained simply.
Our counselors meet you where you are. We use proven approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Densensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), 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 Getting Started Looks Like.
Reach out
Call (203) 227-7644 or fill out our confidential Counseling Request Form online. We will get back to you quickly.
Counseling Request Form and phone call.
We will go over our Counseling Request Form with you to make sure outpatient services are the right fit, discuss insurance & payment options, and look at scheduling.
Your first session
The first session is a structured assessment. Your counselor will guide you through screenings, risk assessments, and informed consent. They will explain everything as you go. By the end, you will have a plan for what comes next.
Cost should never be the reason someone goes without support.
We accept HUSKY and are in network with most state and commercial insurances. Our sliding fee scale and Treatment Fund support clients who are underinsured or uninsured. We never turn anyone away for inability to pay. Counseling at Positive Directions is affordable.
Where We Work.
- In person: Our office is at 90 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06880. Free parking. Accessible entrance.
- Virtual Secure telehealth for residents of Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Vermont. If you live in one of those states, you can be seen from anywhere within it.
Meet the people behind the care.
Our counselors are the best – genuine, caring, and committed to respectful, effective support.
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.
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 (imminent 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 and are in network with HUSKY and most state and commercial insurance plans. See our Insurance & Cost 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 clients by secure video in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Vermont.
How do I get started?
Call (203) 227-7644 or fill out our Counseling Request Form. You will always hear back from us within 24 business hours.
How long are sessions?
Sessions are typically 45 to 60 minutes. You and your counselor decide together what works best for you.
What happens in the first session?
It is a structured assessment. Your counselor will guide you through 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 of our clients receive both services here at Positive Directions. We can also help you with referrals to outside prescribers.
Ready to take the first step?
Confidential. No judgment. Just support.