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. Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities We seek dedicated, skilled applicants to work in our collaborative, inclusive environment. We actively work to foster belonging and empowerment in our staff. Executive Director Positive Directions—The Center for Prevention and Counseling is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and hands-on Executive Director who brings both vision and execution—someone who can inspire others, strengthen operations, deepen community relationships, and drive long-term sustainability. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief leader—guiding strategy, operations, fundraising, and external engagement in service of our mission, staff, clients, and community. Get Job Description Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Positive Directions–The Center for Prevention and Counseling is seeking a compassionate nurse practitioner to provide medication management to adults and adolescents (ages 12+) as a contractor. The position involves psychoeducation of clients and families about psychotropic medication, prescribing medication, and medication management. Maintaining appointments and being responsive to colleagues and clients outside of work hours is a must. Get Job Description Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) Positive Directions—The Center for Prevention and Counseling is seeking a LADC to provide a full range of counseling and support services to individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. Bilingual preferred. Contractual, part-time or full-time. Get Job Description The Norwalk Partnership Coalition Coordinator This part-time position is an opportunity for a dedicated community member to contribute to the health and wellbeing of Norwalk youth. The position provides support to The Norwalk Partnership (TNP), a community coalition to prevent substance misuse and promote mental wellness in youth and young adults in Norwalk, including working with the youth coalition ("TNP Teens"). It is funded through a federal grant held by Positive Directions–The Center for Prevention and Counseling. (Grant runs through end of September 2029.) Get Job Description BRYC Program Coordinator This full-time position is an opportunity for a dedicated community member to contribute to the health and wellbeing of Westport youth. The position coordinates the Building Resilient Youth & Communities with Prevention (BRYCWP) grant, a new 5-year grant which aims to prevent underage alcohol and cannabis use among Westport youth, including supervising a part-time Youth Peer Advocate. The position collaborates closely with the Westport Prevention Coalition (WPC) Leadership Team. It is funded through a state grant held by Positive Directions–The Center for Prevention and Counseling. Get Job Description BRYC Youth Peer Advocate This position is a part-time opportunity for a youth or young adult (aged 16-24) interested in supporting Westport youth in being mentally strong and substance-free through advocacy, training, and role modeling. The position is funded through the Building Resilient Youth & Communities With Prevention (BRYCWP) grant, a new 5-year grant that aims to prevent underage alcohol and cannabis use among Westport youth. The position will renew annually. CT Support Group Volunteer Our CT Support Group project is looking for volunteers ages 15-29 from Connecticut to contribute content and help us grow our online mental health and peer support community. As a volunteer, you will help shape how we connect with young people across Connecticut through personal storytelling, social media, outreach, resource research, and engagement across all of our platforms (website, Discord, social media). There are many ways to be involved! Get Volunteer Description Get Job Description

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. Positive Directions The Center for Prevention & Counseling Transforming Perspectives, Embracing Mental Wellbeing for All Founded over 50 years ago by people in recovery from alcohol use disorder, Positive Directions today is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing a continuum of prevention, counseling, and peer supports to individuals and families struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. We believe strongly that "prevention works, treatment is effective, and recovery is possible." Our staff is the best: talented, warm, caring, and effective. We recognize that our clients and communities put their trust in us, and we honor your trust by giving you our very best, from individual counseling to peer support to prevention education to community-wide initiatives that foster wellbeing. We work to remove financial barriers and to provide supports beyond clinical treatment to ensure that individuals can lead healthy, successful lives in supportive communities. Meet Our Team Home: Welcome What We Do Teletherapy Login Community Prevention Outpatient Counseling Peer/Recovery Support Coalition Work & Trainings Therapeutic Options Peer Support & Free Groups Community Prevention: As innovative community leaders, we build coalitions and guide our local and regional partners in creating healthier environments that support mental wellbeing and prevent risky behaviors. Our work includes conducting surveys to identify challenges and at-risk populations, providing prevention education, developing community-wide initiatives that respond to the needs, creating supports and alternatives, improving policies, and much more. Our focal communities are in the mid-Fairfield County area. Outpatient Treatment: Our clinical team provides in-person and virtual counseling to children, teens, adults, and families struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. Our clinicians help clients to develop coping skills and build resilience, while also providing additional connections to peer support and prevention education. We accept HUSKY and commercial insurances, and we never turn anyone away for inability to pay. Clients can be seen in-person at our Westport location or through virtual appointments. We also have counselors located at two local high schools. We have clinicians licensed to practice in Connecticut, New York and New Hampshire. Peer & Recovery Support: Recognizing the importance of peer-to-peer support, we offer several free online support groups, all of which are led by trained facilitators with lived experience: SMART Recovery, SMART Recovery Family & Friends, Alternatives to Suicide, and Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support. Our CT Support Group project is an online platform where youth and young adults can find connections, build community, learn about peer supports and groups around the state, and even access direct one-on-one peer support, either online or live, from our Recovery Support Specialist. Follow Us! Facebook Instagram Contact Us Positive Directions 90 Post Road West Westport, CT 06880 info@positivedirections.org Tel: 203-227-7644 Fax: 203-227-0037 Name Full Address Email Phone Best way to reach you Phone Email Subject Message Submit Thanks for submitting!

< Back Araceli Escamilla, MA, LPC Lic. Professional Counselor Araceli Escamilla is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of experience providing trauma-informed therapy to adolescents and adults. Her primary clinical focus is trauma recovery - including complex trauma, childhood wounds, and attachment injuries. She enjoys using evidence-based approaches including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and other trauma-focused interventions to help clients better understand themselves, process difficult experiences, and move toward healing. Araceli also works with clients navigating depression, identity exploration, shame and self-criticism, family wounds, and life transitions. She is a biracial therapist with intermediate Spanish language skills who values working with ALL populations including LGBTQ+ clients, veterans, and individuals exploring cultural identity, belonging, and lived experiences across cultures. Araceli approaches therapy as a collaborative and deeply human process. Clients often describe her as warm, calming, and genuine, and appreciate her ability to approach difficult patterns with curiosity, compassion, and care. She believes healing happens within safe and authentic relationships and strives to create a therapeutic space where clients feel emotionally supported while also encouraged toward growth and self-understanding. In addition to EMDR and IFS, her work integrates aspects of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Araceli also enjoys the restorative qualities of nature, connection, and animals, and supporting clients in reconnecting with themselves.

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. Suicide Prevention Every suicide is a tragedy that has a lifelong impact on friends and family and often ripples out into the broader community. Yet suicides can be prevented when people are aware of the warning signs and proactive in starting what may be a life-saving conversation... and when timely treatment and supports are available. Positive Directions's role includes providing training to raise awareness of warning signs and how to respond, promoting mental health, and providing Alternatives to Suicide, free peer support, and/or counseling to those who are struggling. We also are a key player in the Crisis & Suicide Postvention Response teams in the communities we serve and are active in the Regional Suicide Advisory Board. Free Support Groups For people who experience frequent thoughts of suicide, there are many free, peer-led options available, as complements or alternatives to traditional therapy: Here at Positive Directions, we offer a free, weekly, virtual Alternatives to Suicide support group on Tuesdays at 7pm. On Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85226163499 Toivo runs Alternatives to Suicide support groups on Wednesdays from 5-6:30pm in Hartford, facilitated by a Positive Directions staff member. RIPPLE offers a free, late-night suicidal ideation support group on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights from 8pm-9:30pm. Info here . NAMI CT offers free in-person Out of the Abyss support groups monthly in Bridgeport, Torrington, West Hartford, and Willimantic as well as a group that meets every 2 weeks in New Haven. Since July 2024, New Life has been operating CT's first peer-run respite: The Gloria House , in New Britain. It's a free, voluntary place to stay where a person experiencing an emotional crisis can stay for a few days as an alternative to a psychiatric hospitalization. For those who have lost a loved one to suicide, there are free online suicide loss support groups several times a month: • 1st Mondays at 7:30PM. Virtual. Run by SupportEachOther.org in Greenwich. • 2nd Wednesdays from 7PM – 8:30PM. Virtual, run by My Friend Abby in Trumbull. Email gillian@myfriendabby.org or t oddfellegy@gmail.com • 3rd Mondays from 7:30PM – 9:30PM. Call Diane at 720- 838-3880 or Marianne at 203-400-2453, or reach out to DLSCO@ aol.com Suicide Prevention Training Positive Directions can provide mental health and suicide related education to workplaces, community groups, and the general public. Contact Margaret to schedule a training, or watch our events page to sign up for the next program. Trainings are available in English or Spanish. Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR) : A 1.5 hour skills training providing awareness, a 3-step process, and role play to practice the skills needed to recognize and reach out to someone in need. Limited to 30 participants at a time. Can be combined with an overdose/Narcan training (1/2 hour extra). We provide this training to students in the Norwalk and Westport high schools each year, and we offer an in-person training open to the general public on last Fridays, six times per year. (Sign up for the bimonthly training on our Events page .) Group trainings are also available on demand in the communities we serve. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) : a certification course good for 3 years. Course involves 2 hours of pre-work online, followed by a live training session of 4.5 hours. Hotlines & Warmlines If you or someone you know is currently in an urgent suicidal crisis, dial 211, option 1 to access CT's regional mobile crisis service or 911 for your local first responder team. You can also call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 from anywhere. These hotlines are available 24/7. There are many free 24/7 resources people can call to talk with a trained supporter about any type of emotional issue, not just suicide. There are hotlines related to substance misuse, gender/sexual identity, sexual assault, domestic violence, and more. Download and share our resource lists with family. Also note that warmlines are also available, usually not 24/7. Warmlines are often staffed by people with lived experience, often volunteers, and can be a great way of connecting with someone who truly empathizes and understands what someone is going through. Be sure you & everyone in your family has the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) Crisis Text Line (741741) and/or other relevant hotlines or warmlines saved in your phone!

Francesca Guerrier, MPH < Back Francesca Guerrier, MPH Manager, Mid-Fairfield Cannabis Project Francesca Guerrier joins us as Project Manager for our regional Cannabis Prevention project, working with 5 towns. She is a Public Health professional who has been working in the field of prevention for over 10 years. Most recently, Francesca worked in health prevention at Sacred Heart University (SHU). She provided educational awareness in harm reduction and risk reduction to students, faculty and staff across the SHU community. Prior to that, Francesca worked at the Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program (GBAPP) Inc., for seven years. She worked on a number of community-based grants that focused on prevention and education, including overdose prevention, alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) misuse prevention , and other harm reduction services. Francesca also sat on the Bridgeport United Coalition (BUC) , a program funded by Drug Free Communities to reduce drug use among youth. Francesca earned her BS with a concentration in Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University and went on to receive her Masters of Public Health (MPH) from her alma mater. Francesca is inspired daily by her husband and three wonderful children.

Stephen Osika < Back Stephen Osika, MA, LPCA Lic. Professional Counselor Assoc. Stephen is a psychotherapist who works with adults seeking greater self-understanding, emotional growth, and more satisfying relationships. His approach is informed by psychoanalytic perspectives and focuses on helping clients explore recurring patterns in their lives, relationships, emotions, and sense of self. Stephen holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairfield University. He is a graduate of the 2-year psychodynamic training program at the Western New England Institute for Psychoanalysis, and the Foundations of Jungian Psychology program at the C.G. Jung Institute of New England. He also holds an advanced profession certification in the Integration of Spirituality and Religion in Counseling from Fairfield University. In his free time, Stephen enjoys hiking with his dogs, writing, cooking, and playing stringed instruments.

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. Addiction Addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs is a disease that negatively affects both the physical and mental health of the victim, while also hurting their friends and family. An individual suffering from addiction experiences withdrawal symptoms when they are unable to partake in the addictive behavior, making it extremely difficult to quit. Rehabilitation (inpatient or outpatient programs) and counseling that address physical, mental and behavioral aspects of addiction are necessary for a full recovery. The various types of addiction treatment include: Detox Inpatient or Residential Treatment Outpatient Treatment Support Groups such as SMART Recovery , Relapse Prevention or Alcoholics Anonymous Psychotherapy Behavioral therapy The recovery process is a long journey that can be challenging for the person who is addicted and their loved ones. Accepting several forms of treatment will help eliminate the possibility of relapse and susceptibility to other conditions such as anxiety and depression. Post-treatment care should be ongoing in order to help cope with the lifestyle changes that are required for a complete and lasting recovery. Positive Directions Approach to Addiction & Recovery: At Positive Directions, we work to help our clients support and sustain recovery from addictive behaviors and substances. Our approach in working with clients to address their addiction is collaborative and client-driven, and we work to meet the client where they are at to tailor treatment to their individual circumstances. Upon admission, a comprehensive intake evaluation is completed to gather a history of the client and learn more about what they have been experiencing. This helps us to gather a comprehensive picture of the impact that addiction has had on their lives and allows us to tailor our approach to the client’s needs. Starting with this information, we then develop an individualized treatment plan for each client that is tailored to their needs and goals. The treatment plan guides the work we do in session, and progress toward treatment goals is evaluated and measured during each counseling session. Additionally, we periodically review this plan with our clients to ensure that we are consistently working toward and updating goals and objectives as appropriate. Based upon the treatment plan, services are provided to address individual needs and teach clients the skills and tools necessary to gain insight and understanding around their substance use, work to reduce substance use and/or promote recovery, and improve their overall quality of life. Our counselors also work closely with family members as appropriate, educating them about addiction and recovery, and supporting their involvement in their loved one’s treatment. When providing these services, a variety of clinical techniques are utilized such as cognitive behavioral, behavioral modification, motivational interviewing, solution-focused and dialectical behavioral tools. Our clinicians are trained in a variety of effective treatment modalities, and treatment is tailored to specific individual and family needs. Our approach is designed to assist people in improving the quality of their lives. Addiction: What We Do

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. One-on-One Peer Support For people in their teens & 20s Our Peer Support Specialist, Ally Kernan , is recognized statewide as an advocate for recovery, a motivational speaker, and a young adult who uses her lived experience with mental illness and substance use to provide support and guidance to others. Ally is trained as a Recovery Support Specialist (mental health), Recovery Coach (substance use), and SMART Recovery facilitator, and a Drug & Alcohol Recovery Counselor. She is available two mornings a week on a first-come, first-served basis for free individual peer support. Text her at 203-227-7644 x842 to schedule. Download flyer

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. Games We’re on a mission to help kids, teens, and families learn more about substance use and how to stay safe through fun and interactive games! Pick the ones that match your age and see how much you already know. You’ll discover cool facts, test your smarts, and explore smart ways to make healthy choices. Let’s level up your knowledge and power up your future! Click below to play some games! Kids Substance Misuse Prevention Coping with Stress Youth Take care of your body Coping with Stress Teens National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge Coping with Stress This curriculum, material, and/or resource was developed by the Stanford REACH Lab, a Stanford research lab focused on promoting adolescent and young adult health through collaborative research, education, and advocacy. Questions Kids Ask! Check out these videos of kids talking to experts at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) What is Addiction? Why are drugs so hard to quit? What is the worst drug? Parents, if you want to find out about more resources that can support your kids, check these out: Talk. They Hear You (free app from SAMHSA) OperationParent.org DrugFree.org

Jessica Branson < Back Jessica Branson Interim Executive Director Jess joins Positive Directions as Interim Executive Director having lived in Westport, Norwalk and Fairfield County for over 30 years. Her upbringing in a family of empathetic healers and devoted community leaders instilled in her the importance of listening, nurturing, and empowering others. These values have guided her 25+ years of experience in business, media and marketing strategy for fortune 100 companies and her own growth consultancy. A compassionate and determined leader, she’s helped hundreds of brands and organizations raise awareness, build resilience, and create meaningful change by blending a for profit mindset with a nonprofit heart. As a people person, Jess’ superpower is building connections. She leverages the talents and resources of individuals and organizations to inspire action, promote mental health awareness, and strengthen communities. “Making connections lights me up, and as a lifelong competitor, delivering results fills my cup.” No stranger to adversity, Jess’s determined spirit was tested after contracting Guillan Barre Syndrome (GBS), a neurological nerve disease that paralyzed her for over 10 months. After a year in a wheelchair and years in therapy and rehab, her tenacity, grit and faith have helped her persevere. She has deep empathy for those battling mental and physical health challenges. Jess’ experience changed her profoundly and inspired her mission to build healthier, more connected communities, perfectly synergistic with Positive Directions' vision “to strengthen the mental wellbeing of individuals and communities.” Her husband (Bill), family and friends were vital parts of her healing and life re-entry. She is forever thankful for the support of her caretakers, nurses, doctors, and therapists. She knows first-hand it takes a village, and she is honored to be a part of Positive Directions’. Jess can be reached by email at jbranson@positivedirections.org and by phone at 203-227-7644.

< Back Nikoletta Moschidi, MFA Clinical Intern Nikoletta is a second‐year master’s student in Clinical Social Work at Liberty University. She’s grateful to be returning to Positive Directions for her second internship, where she continues to grow alongside a supportive and inspiring team of clinicians. Before entering the clinical field, she worked as an art instructor in NYC, encouraging students to express themselves and build confidence through creativity. Nikoletta has experience working with individuals, families, and the broader community. She leads with empathy and collaboration, using trauma‐informed care and a blend of therapeutic modalities to meet clients where they are. Her work centers on empowerment, helping clients deepen self‐understanding, strengthen emotional well‐being, and move toward meaningful growth, healing, and self‐discovery. Outside of work, Nikoletta enjoys spending her time in ways that help her stay balanced and connected. She loves getting lost in a good book, discovering new music, and taking long walks that allow her to slow down and reflect. Whenever she can, she heads outdoors to hike and explore nature. Most of all, she cherishes time with her family, who keep her grounded and bring joy into her everyday life.

Ethan Wattley < Back Ethan Wattley, MA, LPC Lic. Professional Counselor Ethan joins Positive Directions with experiences in multiple Inpatient and Outpatient settings, including Hospital settings and residential treatment facilities. He has worked with people to lessen symptoms of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and severe psychosis. Ethan approaches therapy from the perspective of wanting to understand what it would mean for his clients to have a meaningful life, and what is currently blocking that. Therapy is a collaborative process, to which Ethan brings training in different modalities (such as Internal Family Systems and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy) as well psychopathology and the therapeutic relationship. But he recognizes that clients also bring their own expertise and understanding of what it means to be them and what they want out of life. Together, he works together with clients to discover the internal strength and healing they already hold inside, even if they do not know it yet. Ethan has a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is level 2 trained in Internal Family Systems and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. In addition a level 1 training in Clinical Hypnosis and experience working with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Ethan is a Licensed Professional Counselor by the State of CT.