NEWS & UPDATES
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Do you have questions about Direction and our programs?

WE HAVE ANSWERS!

We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you navigate our program. If you don’t see what you’re looking for here, please give us a call! 


Also, feel free to download our most recent Parenting Handbook for a fuller explanation of our program.

Program Suitability and Enrollment

  • How do I determine if your program is a good match for my child?

    If your child is struggling in any capacity, it’s worth giving us a call to determine if we are a good fit. Some of the conditions we treat include but are not limited to:


    • Anxiety 
    • Depression
    • Substance use disorders
    • ADHD
    • Bipolar disorder
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  
    • Schizophrenia 
    • Teen stress
    • OCD
    • and much more...

  • What does it mean if my child is restricted from your program?

    Anyone who maintains a commitment to our basic social standards and their own personal work here is welcome at Direction. When someone is restricted, we are simply honoring their decision not to follow these standards. A restricted person is excluded from group membership and privileges. 


    If and when a restricted person requests a reintegration meeting, they will be given the opportunity to meet with a Program Therapist. In that meeting, each person’s commitment to our program and their development is reviewed. Anyone genuinely committed is welcome back to our community.

  • Can my child continue to see their current therapist while enrolled in your program?

    Absolutely! This is completely at the parent/client's discretion. 

  • What is the process for transitioning out of the program?

    This will be discussed 1-2 weeks in advance with the client. If they are over 18, Direction will notify the parent(s). 


    We have an Aftercare program that allows clients to choose their level of participation from week to week. It's from 4-6 PM Monday through Friday, and outside provider needs to handle medication management.

Interplay with School

  • How is school affected while my child is in the program?

    While everything is on a case-by-case basis, we work with schools and can provide notes and letters as needed.

Program Structure and Activities

  • What will my child be doing during group therapy?

    Your child will be a part of a rich group experience based on Direction’s Wholeistic Education model. In the program, they will be:


    • Experiencing relief from normal daily drama and conflict that reinforce poor behavioral and interpersonal habits.
    • Learning to overcome obstacles (anxiety, depression, poor habits, etc.) that prevent establishment of healthy relationships.
    • Learning to maintain membership in and enjoy the benefits of an unusually pro-social community.
    • Experiencing common stressors and interpersonal conflicts in a controlled educational setting.
    • Practicing managing these stressors in new ways and developing better habits through the Behavioral Guidelines.
    • Improving self-esteem through real accomplishment and development.

  • What is the Wholeistic Education model, and why is it important?

    Our Wholeistic Education model of treatment is how we run group therapy. More broadly, it’s an educational model designed to help all community members function better in the world and move toward a state of optimal wellness.

  • What is the non-structured time during group therapy?

    All time is “structured” in a way that permits maximal flexibility and richness of experience for all members. We do allow more "space" than many other programs to allow kids to get to know one another and the staff. It's this approach that gets kids to let their guard down and be themselves. 


    That allows us to see what the real problems are so we can get to work. It's all part of Direction’s Wholeistic Education. Our group therapy is much more about the experience rather than about telling the kids what to do, which you may have noticed doesn't work very well anyway. 

  • Is it permissible or wise for my child to maintain friendships with children in the program outside of program hours?

    The overall benefit of friendships developed at Direction is a matter of individual assessment. Just as happens outside the program, some friendships may be healthy, and some less so.  We recommend parents use the same judgment they use when their kids make friends elsewhere.  

Program Hours

  • What are the hours for the teen PHP?

    Monday through Friday: 1 PM – 6 PM

  • What are the hours for the teen IOP?

    Monday through Friday: 3 PM – 6 PM

  • What are the hours for the child IOP?

    Monday through Friday: 10 AM – 1 PM

Program Lengths

  • How long is the teen PHP?

    While everything is on a case-by-case basis, the PHP is usually around 2 months followed by the IOP for about 1 month. This can be longer or shorter based on the level of support the teen needs.

  • How long is the teen IOP?

    All teens in the IOP start with the PHP, which typically lasts from 1–3 months. While everything is on a case-by-case basis, and there’s a large range of 5 weeks to 6 months, most teens fall around 2–3 months in the IOP. 

  • How long is the child IOP?

    While everything is on a case-by-case basis, most kids fall around 3 months in the child IOP. 

Safety and Behavior Management

  • What is your approach to managing challenging behavior during the program?

    At Direction, challenging behavior is managed by fostering a supportive group culture, which emphasizes authority over control, proactive reminders, and non-punitive interventions.

  • I’m worried other children will negatively influence my child. How does Direction address this?

    While this is certainly possible, we're confident that very few situations at Direction are unfamiliar to any of our team members or unlikely to occur in various other environments outside the program. Our approach is to confront these challenges directly within the program, rather than relying on the hope that they won’t arise elsewhere.

Parent Involvement and Communication

  • What resources do you offer parents?

    We put our Parenting Handbook at your disposal. Also, we have in-person and virtual Parenting Groups. 

  • How do you communicate with parents about their child’s progress?

    We offer teen parenting groups onsite every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-6 PM. We have a virtual child Parenting Group every Wednesday from 12-1 PM. Please call our office for the Zoom link. We also encourage you to read our Parenting Handbook.

  • Can parents observe or sit in on group therapy?

    Parents cannot sit in the group therapy sessions as they are confidential.  

Logistics and Coverage

  • How are services at Direction covered?

    Refer to insurance coverage with the exception of our Aftercare Group, which is out of pocket.

  • What holidays are observed at Direction?

    Direction follows the Nashua School District’s Holiday Schedule for single holidays only. Accordingly, the following 13 days will be holidays during which the IOP is closed:


    • New Year’s Eve
    • New Year’s Day
    • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    • President’s Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Labor Day
    • Columbus Day
    • Veteran’s Day
    • Thanksgiving Day
    • Day after Thanksgiving
    • Christmas Eve
    • Christmas Day

    DBHA is open all year, during the summer, as well as school vacations.
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