Deirdre Ekholdt, MSW, LCSW < Back Deirdre Ekholdt, MSW, LCSW Lic. Clinical Social Worker Deirdre Ekholdt, MSW, LCSW has over 27 years of experience working with individuals and couples. She began her career in Chicago, Illinois working in child welfare, hospital, and outpatient therapy settings. Most recently, she has worked as a school social worker and enjoys supervising MSW candidates to help develop their clinical skills during their internships. Deirdre spent 4 years living abroad in Hong Kong and enjoys travel and spending time with her family. Deirdre’s expertise is in supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and stress management. Deirdre can be contacted via email: dekholdt@positivedirections.org or by phone at 203-227-7644, ext. 852

< Back Aisha Abdel, MA, LPCA Lic. Professional Counselor Assoc. Aisha is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) with experience supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, severe and persistent mental illness, addiction, and acquired brain injuries. She is dedicated to creating a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel understood and empowered to explore their thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. Her therapeutic approach is integrative and person-centered, meaning she meets each client where they are and tailor treatment to their unique needs and goals. She draws from evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Schema Therapy. Through these approaches, she helps clients build insight, develop coping skills, and move toward meaningful and lasting change. She believes in the power of mindfulness, self-care, and positive psychology to support healing and growth. She works together with clients to identify strengths, develop practical solutions, and foster resilience. Whether clients are looking to better understand themselves, manage overwhelming emotions, or create healthier patterns, she views therapy as a collaborative journey where together you can share, explore, and heal. She earned her degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Trauma and Addictions from Fisher College in Boston, Massachusetts. Her training and experience have strengthened her commitment to providing empathetic, compassionate care that honors each individual’s story and promotes lasting well-being. Aisha can be reached at 203-227-7644.

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Christine Rutigliano shares her son's struggle with Cannabis Addiction Christine, a local parent, shares her son's heart-breaking struggle with cannabis dependency. As a result of misusing cannabis, her son developed cannabanoid hyperemesis syndrome (CMS) and has "thirteen emergency room visits under his belt." pd discusses pressure Positive Directions, in partnership with the Westport Weston Family YMCA and the Westport Library, hosted a panel discussion about the pressure and anxiety being experienced by our youth. Learn from the experts about what is causing the pressure, how to recognize signs that your child is struggling, strategies for reducing their anxieties, and local resources available to your family. In The News Norwalk ACTS, Positive Directions-The Center for Prevention and Counseling, The Norwalk Partnership, and the New Canaan Community Foundation are inviting residents to take an active role in supporting the mental wellbeing of Norwalk’s young people. The Westport Prevention Coalition — whose members include parents and professionals, with representatives from the Aspetuck Health District, Positive Directions, the Police Department, Westport Public Schools, and Westport Human/Youth Services — urges “parents to talk with their teens now, and make clear safety plans together.” Positive Directions was selected to be a charity partner of the New York Marathon! Our runners Brian McGarvey, Cam Gaylord, and Gianna Affi all ran the marathon for their first time, collecting over $19,000 for Positive Directions! Positive Directions offers a safety kit with the medication that quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, plus fentanyl test strips and more. WESTPORT — Two community programs on alcohol and drug abuse are planned next week next week in conjunction with “National Public Health Week.” Lifesaving Overdose and Narcan(™) Education For Westport, Weston and Easton Another Shot At Addressing Teen Substance Use. ‘Liquor Stickers’ promote awareness of alcohol abuse by minors. Liquor Stickers Program Relaunched In Westport: The Westport Prevention Coalition is revitalizing its parent awareness campaign through an outreach effort by Aspetuck Health District. Liquor Stickers are Back: Westport package stores join educational campaign around underage drinking Survey of Norwalk students shows declines in feelings of anxiety, depression: 'A large difference' Grant targets youth in Norwalk, Wilton for education on risks of cannabis use Survey: Westport students’ substance abuse falls, but still higher than elsewhere Westport Teens, By The Numbers Positive Directions Fall Fundraiser Recap During an Oct. 15 Family & Children’s Agency webinar, Walsh was joined by FCA Jessica Vivenzo, manager of FCA’s Project Reward program, and Margaret Watt, prevention director at Positive Directions, to discuss unlicensed marijuana. US Congressman Jim Himes who represents Connecticut’s 4th Congressional district, met with federal grant recipients, Greenwich based Kids in Crisis (the fiduciary for the Greenwich Together coalition) and The Norwalk Partnership on Thursday. Led by Margaret Watt, a Prevention Director at Positive Directions, juniors have been participating in Question, Persuade and Respond (QPR) Training in their health classes since Monday, Sept. 30. The Norwalk Partnership will benefit from a $625,000 Drug-Free Communities federal grant awarded to one of its fiduciaries and coordinating organization, Westport-based Positive Directions. A five-year, $625,000 grant has been awarded by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy that will support the efforts of The Norwalk Partnership, a coalition to prevent substance misuse and promote mental wellness among Norwalk youth and young adults, according to the Westport nonprofit that will administer the grant. FentaNO! Narcan for college students Spring Fundraiser: An Evening of Mental Fitness Drug Takeback Day & Westport Wellness Fair This Saturday = 3rd Annual “NorWALK for Mental Health” Positive Directions is awarded the Westport Woman Club's Ruegg Grant Norwalk Partnership announces FREE screenings of new film Screenagers Under The Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age Norwalk Partnership to air ‘Screenagers’ film Westport Prevention Coalition Streams Anti-Drug Film 'Don't Wait' Free Live-Saving NarcanⓇ Available to Norwalk Residents and Businesses Martha Stewart Returns to Westport for Positive Directions Social Emotional Health Day of Training in Norwalk Is Response to Youth Mental Health Challenges Martha Stewart to host fundraiser for Positive Directions 2nd NorWALK for Mental Health features dozens of resources — plus DJ, art and yoga: 'not alone' Westport, Weston, Wilton come together to form mental health partnership with Positive Directions Teens Night Out offers substance-free events through The Norwalk Partnership Norwalk Board of Education looks at youth survey results Community groups host virtual legislative meeting to expand conversation about legal cannabis in Connecticut Survey: Westport high schoolers drink at rate higher than CT average Liquor Stickers Seek To Clamp Down On Teen Drinking Westport Launches 'Liquor Sticker' Campaign To Fight Underage Drinking Greenwich Community Unites at ‘Better Tomorrow’ Vigil at Arch Street Teen Center New suicide prevention group comes to Westport Norwalk Council Committee moves cannabis ordinance to final vote New Support Model at Positive Directions Addresses the Increase in Suicidal Ideation CT clinic workers: Overdose patients can re-overdose after receiving Narcan Westport Woman's Club Awards Its Spring 2022 Community Service Grants Positive Directions: 50 Years Of Substance Abuse Service Alternatives to suicide Vanessa and Ally discuss Positive Direction's new group, Alternatives to Suicide, on a local radio show. 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Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Support Everyone needs a good support system -- we're here to help! Recovery is Possible! Mental health and substance use disorders don't have to last forever! Practicing self-care, learning self-management skills, seeking the support of peers, and practicing wellness are ways to complement therapy and/or maintain your mental health. Positive Directions offers free support groups and peer supports to help you on your journey. The CT Support Group Project Positive Directions is proud home to CTSupportGroup.org ! Our CT Support Group project provides an online platform for young people throughout the state to build community and access peer support. Learn more Our Support Groups SMART Recovery, caregiver support, teacher support... see our current offerings Learn more Other Area Support Groups There are many pathways to wellness and recovery. Find a group that works for you. Get list from The Hub

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Testimonials We care deeply about our clients' experience and are committed to providing the highest quality behavioral healthcare. To ensure we are meeting our clients' needs, each year we conduct a Consumer Satisfaction Survey, using a questionnaire from the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Participation in this survey is completely voluntary and anonymous. We use the feedback internally as part of our continuous improvement initiative and we share the results with DMHAS. Below is a sampling of feedback we have received from our clients over the past two years. "I started seeing {Therapist} shortly after my fourth manic episode. It was a long road to proper diagnosis and acceptance of bipolar disorder. I tried seeing multiple therapists before working with her but none of them helped as much as she did. {Therapist} helped me greatly managing my anxiety and bipolar disorder. She taught me a number of skills that helped me being fully functional despite suffering from a mood disorder. I greatly enjoy working with {Therapist}." "{Therapist} is very supportive, understanding, and compassionate. As a result I have been able to open up to her more quickly than any of my previous therapists. She makes even the most ridiculous of thoughts, feelings, or emotions seem typical. When I have needed a therapy session last minute because I'm in crisis, {Therapist} finds availability. During crises she remains calm, neutral, but firm with options for her patients. I can't imagine seeing anyone else now that I have begun this relationship." “I am very grateful to Positive Directions and especially my therapist. When I first came here I was homeless, very depressed and impossibly sad. That was about a year ago? It feels like a lifetime ago, and since then I have been able to learn and utilize coping skills I never would have thought of on my own. My gratitude is immense. I have a nice home now, and I am even able to help others, too. Thank you to everyone at Positive Directions.” "I really need to thank {Therapist} for getting me through some very difficult times. Don't know what I would have done without her....she’s fantastic. Thank you all so much; and all the best to a classy organization".

Karen Krupnik < Back Karen Krupnik, MS, LPC Lic. Professional Counselor Karen joined Positive Directions with a wealth of experience providing counseling services in the non-profit sector. Her approach to counseling is to help her clients make sense of the difficulties they are facing and enhance their coping skills, so they can feel better and enjoy their lives more. She works together with her clients to figure out what’s interfering with their well-being and, in turn, how to address it. She often utilizes a strengths-based approach, helping her clients to understand themselves better by discovering what strengths they have and developing new ones as well as by accepting or changing their problem areas. Karen is experienced in working with individuals, couples, and families, ranging from adolescents to adults. She has worked with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, substance misuse, sleep difficulties, relationships, anger management, psychosis, and more. Additionally, she has helped clients through major life transitions: divorce, job loss, death of a loved one, medical diagnoses, and becoming a parent. Karen has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairfield University. Her post-graduate training covered trauma, grief and loss, veterans’ issues, mindfulness, problem gambling and gender issues, among others. She tailors her approach to each individual and draws upon many types of therapy including CBT, Solution-Focused, DBT, Stages of Change, and Schema therapy. Karen can be reached via e-mail at kkrupnik@positivedirections.org . Or reached by phone at 203-227-7644 ext 834

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Our Sponsors We are honored by the financial support of the following community sponsors, which helps us fulfill our mission: Our prevention work is funded by federal and state grants. We are very grateful to our prevention partners: And we are extremely grateful to the individual donors and Board members who support us through one-time or annual gifts. Not a donor? Please consider clicking on the Donate button on our menu bar! Every gift is welcome and is put to good use--whether it supports our Treatment Fund , enabling people in need to receive therapy, or our community education and prevention work , or TurningPointCT , our young adult peer support project. Thank you!

Jessica Dassori < Back Jessica Dassori, MA, NCC, LPC Lic. Professional Counselor Jessica is a Board-Certified (NBCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (CT) who began as an intern at Positive Directions. She has clinical outpatient experience working with adults and adolescents as well as years in elementary, middle, and high schools. Jessica’s therapeutic approach is unique to each individual. She draws on her training and experience to collaborate with her clients and shape an optimal counseling program for their specific wants and needs. Her most extensive work has been with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Jessica primarily utilizes components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in her practice, but adds other modalities such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, and Mindfulness-Based Interventions. Regardless of the distinct dynamics of each relationship, Jessica brings compassion, flexibility, thoughtful analysis, and empathy to her sessions. Jessica lives in Westport with her husband and two young children and she graduated from Hamilton College and Fairfield University. Jessica can be contacted via email at jdassori@positivedirections.org or by phone at 203-227-7644 ext. 835.

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Our History Positive Directions was established in 1971 in Westport, CT as a volunteer effort by people in recovery from alcohol addiction to bring awareness and prevention into school and community programs and support recovery. Since then, treatment and prevention programs have evolved to become more disciplined and outcome focused, and Positive Directions today emphasizes evidence-supported clinical treatment services and community-focused prevention programs. We are now a 501(c)(3) non-profit behavioral health organization working across the continuum of prevention, treatment, and recovery. Our outpatient clinic provides counseling, recovery groups, and peer supports to youth and adults who are struggling with their mental health, substance misuse, problem gambling or other addictions. We have also received state prevention and awareness funding continuously for more than 25 years, in recognition of our expertise as a provider of evidence-supported, data-driven, locally focused prevention programs to the communities we serve.

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Counseling Outpatient counseling for adolescent and adult mental health and substance use If you are in immediate crisis, please dial 2-1-1 for mobile crisis or 911 for your local first responders. Be sure to add the Crisis Text Line (741741) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) in your and your family members' phones. For immediate help in accessing detox, call CT's Substance Use Access Line: 800-563-4086. Teletherapy Login Positive Directions is a leading non-profit behavioral health facility located in Westport, CT, serving both adolescents and adults. Our outpatient clinic is licensed by the CT Department of Public Health and the CT Department of Children and Families for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Our outstanding reputation reflects 50 years of experience in meeting the needs of the communities we serve. We provide individual outpatient counseling to adolescents and adults, and can work with families as an adjunct to individual counseling. We also offer free recovery groups to our clients and their supporters, as well as short-term one-on-one peer support for youth and young adults . We see clients in person at our private and serene setting in downtown Westport, as well as online, where we serve clients throughout the state. Our clients benefit from an outstanding team of dedicated licensed clinicians who are empathetic, knowledgeable, and experienced in working with a variety of behavioral health challenges. Areas of Expertise Payment Options Areas of Expertise Anxiety Addiction Depression Grief Mood Disorders Problem Gambling Counseling: What We Do Payment Options We work hard to help people in need access behavioral healthcare regardless of their ability to pay Counseling: List Commercial Insurance Positive Directions accepts most forms of commercial insurance, including: Aetna Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Cigna Golden Rule Harvard Pilgrim Oxford Health Plans UMR United Healthcare If your insurance company isn't listed, we can help you determine whether your insurance plan offers out-of-network behavioral health benefits. Give us a call and we will help you determine your out-of-network eligibility. Public Insurance We proudly accept both: HUSKY Health/Medicaid Medicare Other Options We offer a sliding-fee scale for those in need. We are grateful to our donors who have enabled us to create a Treatment Fund to support eligible clients. If you have the means to contribute to the Treatment Fund, please know that your donations are gratefully accepted and enable people to receive or continue treatment at a difficult time in their lives! We accept private pay.

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Training Workshops We seek to raise awareness and provide education to parents and community members, and to support schools in delivering the best curriculum. We can provide trainings directly, develop and deliver presentations based on local issues and data, and/or coordinate and identify speakers on a variety of topics. Trainings Our staff offer the following programs: Youth Mental Health First Aid* Question-Persuade-Refer* (suicide prevention skills training), in English or Spanish SPORT Prevention Plus Wellness* Johnny's Ambassadors: "The Dangerous Truth About Today's Marijuana" Opioid education and Narcan administration (including providing a Narcan kit), in English or Spanish Hidden in Plain Sight, a parent exploration of a teen bedroom to identify signs of drug use coupled with a discussion of prevention and response Parenting for Prevention Today's Marijuana: What Families Should Know (also available for older adults, What Seniors Should Know) Data presentations Custom speaker or panel events *evidence-based program For Youth & Young Adults Our CT Support Group project staff often serve as motivational speakers and offer workshops to youth and young adults: Personal story of journey to recovery from mental illness and/or addiction Peer Support presentations Coping skills presentations Community building Other Presentations Upon request, our clinical and/or prevention staff can speak at events and provide presentations for community coalitions and other groups. We also partner with groups such as MADD, NAMI, The Hub, and others to provide education that meets the community's needs.

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Our Support Groups Support Groups: Service Our current support groups are listed below. We add new ones from time to time so check back! And check out The Hub's regional list of peer support groups here . There are groups for individuals who are struggling and separate groups for their family & friends who are also affected. Alternatives to Suicide Support Group Every Tuesday at 7pm A free , non-judgmental, non-clinical, peer-led, and confidential drop-in space where people can share difficult thoughts and feelings around suicidal ideation / experience or self harm without being assumed to have an illness and without fear of involuntary intervention. Our group meets virtually via Zoom, every Tuesday night. Click below to get the link. For other peer-led suicide prevention meetings and supports, see our Suicide Prevention resources. Click Here for the Zoom Link Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group Every Other Thursday at 10 am via zoom Our free Alzheimer caregivers’ support group is a lifeline for families. It is a place to turn to for advice and encouragement to help feel connected and give caregivers a sense of belonging and purpose. The group helps put our own experiences living with dementia in perspective and provides support and encouragement to move beyond a diagnosis. We share feelings confidentially, make friends, get help navigating the health care and legal systems, and learn from one another. To learn more, call or text Tom at 203-216-1800. RSVP SMART Friends & Family Group Thursdays from 6pm-7pm on Zoom SMART Recovery Family & Friends is a free weekly support group to provide people with the tools they need to effectively support their loved one, without supporting that person's addictive or harmful behaviors. SMART F&F is based on the CRAFT model , which is effective at helping someone acknowledge they need treatment. This weekly group will help you develop the coping skills you need and allow you to regain your peace of mind. Click for Zoom link 1:1 Peer Support for Teens and Young Adults By Appointment Our CT Support Group project manager, Quinn, is offering free individual peer support to teens and young adults in Connecticut. Quinn is a young adult Recovery Support Specialist trained in Intentional Peer Support. They draw from their own experiences to connect with participants and support them in moving towards their goals. To meet with Quinn, email qjannetty@positivedirections.org or text (475) 999-2605. Get in Touch SMART Teens (Ages 16-18) Every Tuesday from 6pm-7pm on Zoom *Starting March 24th, 2026* Looking to break free of negative self-talk or harmful habits, or to cope with anxiety or addiction? SMART Teens can help. SMART Teens is a free facilitated weekly support group where you will learn practical psychology-based tools and gain social supports to help you create successful, long-term, changes in your life. SMART Teens teaches you how to: build and maintain the motivation to change; cope with urges; manage your thoughts, feelings and behaviors; and ultimately live a balanced life. Get the link below: Click here for the Zoom link