Positive Directions – The Center for Prevention and Counseling is a nonprofit outpatient behavioral health organization at 90 Post Road West in Westport, Connecticut. The current official website confirms counseling for people age five and older, medication management, telehealth, peer support, and help with substance use concerns and recovery. Positive Directions began in 1971 as the Alcoholism Council, founded by people in recovery from alcohol use disorder, and has since expanded into a broader mental health and prevention organization. Today, someone concerned about alcohol can receive outpatient counseling without the center presenting itself as a residential rehab or detoxification facility.
Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling
Positive Directions provides talk-based outpatient counseling for individuals, couples, and families. During intake, clients complete behavioral health screening and risk assessment and work with the counselor on a plan for what comes next. A person seeking alcohol treatment can discuss drinking patterns, motivation, family conflict, stress, trauma, and other issues connected with alcohol use. Family or couples sessions may also help when drinking has affected trust, communication, parenting, or other close relationships.
Evidence-Based Approaches
The current counseling program uses evidence-based methods including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and other approaches tailored to the client’s goals. For alcohol recovery, these methods can help clients identify triggers, challenge unhelpful thinking, improve emotional regulation, and build healthier responses to cravings or stressful situations. The center also provides psychiatric medication evaluation and ongoing medication management as a separate service when clinically appropriate.
Recovery and Peer Support
Positive Directions offers free peer-led support options in addition to counseling. SMART Recovery-related programming teaches practical skills for maintaining motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts and emotions, and building a more balanced life. The organization also provides support for friends and family members affected by another person’s substance use. These services can complement formal alcohol counseling and give clients or loved ones additional recovery-oriented support between clinical appointments.
Knowing the Limits of Outpatient Care
Positive Directions openly states that outpatient counseling is not the correct level of care for everyone and will refer people elsewhere when inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, or another specialty service is more appropriate. The center is not a medical alcohol detox program. Someone with severe alcohol dependence, prior withdrawal seizures, delirium, or serious medical instability should obtain appropriate medical evaluation before suddenly stopping alcohol.
Address, Insurance, and Affordable Care
The verified address is 90 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06880, and the current phone is 203-227-7644. Positive Directions accepts HUSKY/Medicaid, Medicare, and most state and commercial insurance plans. It also offers an income-based sliding-fee scale and a Treatment Fund for people who are underinsured or uninsured, and states that cost will not be a reason to turn someone away. People seeking alcohol treatment should confirm counselor availability, insurance benefits, medication services, and whether outpatient care is the right fit.
