PROGRAM FAQ

Feel free to download our most recent Parenting Handbook for a fuller explanation of our program.

1. What will my child be doing during the hours of Group Therapy?

Your child will be immersed in a rich group experience based on Direction's Community-Based Education. 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.

2. There seems to be some “non-structured” time built into the Group Therapy Schedule… why is this the case?

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, and 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 really get to work. It's all part of Direction Community-Based Education. Our group therapy is much more about the experience rather than about our telling kids what to do, which you may have noticed doesn't work very well anyway.

3. I’m concerned about my child’s learning “bad habits” or being negatively-influenced by other children in the group… what is Direction’s stance on this issue?

Although this is of course possible, we feel certain that few things occur at Direction that are new to any given member, or that they are not likely to experience in any number of settings outside the program. It's our philosophy to meet these challenges head-on in the program rather than hope they won't happen elsewhere.

4. My child would like to maintain friendships with children in the program outside of program hours… do you think this is wise?

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 judgement they use when their kids make friends elsewhere.

5. What does it mean if my child is “Restricted” from your program?

Anyone who maintains 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 conform to 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 own development is reviewed. Anyone genuinely committed is welcome back to our community.

6. What holidays are observed as DBHA?

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

A. New Year’s Eve
B. New Year’s Day
C. Martin Luther King Day
D. President’s Day
E. Memorial Day
F. Fourth of July
G. Labor Day
H. Columbus Day
I. Veteran’s Day
J. Thanksgiving Day
K. Day after Thanksgiving
L. Christmas Eve
M. Christmas Day

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

7. How are services at DBHA covered?

DBHA is covered by most private insurances including Anthem (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Health Plans, MVP, UBH, Value Options.