Collaborative Mental Health Services

we’re here to help

Directions for Living works alongside community partners to provide behavioral health services in a variety of settings where individuals and families already receive support. Through collaborative programs with schools, courts, healthcare providers, and other community organizations, our team helps ensure people can access care when and where they need it. These partnerships allow us to deliver coordinated services that support mental health, strengthen communities, and improve outcomes for those we serve.

Mental Health Court

Mental Health Court provides comprehensive outpatient mental health treatment to Pinellas County Residents involved in the criminal justice system. The intent of the program is to reduce the number of persons who repeatedly enter the criminal justice system due to their mental illness by diverting them to appropriate, effective mental health and supportive services, and provide an opportunity for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness to maintain stability within the community.

Eligibility requirements: Ages 18+, referral from the 6th Judicial Circuit

Interested in Mental Health Court?
If you or someone you know might benefit from this program, our team may be able to help. Contact us to learn more about eligibility.

Treatment Works

The Treatment Works program offers intensive, wraparound support for youth ages 5–18 facing suicidal or homicidal thoughts. Our goal is to help families find stability, keep youth safely at home, and ensure they feel ready to stay in or return to school. Services are provided in the home, school, and community by a counselor and behavioral health case manager team who will work intensively with the youth and family to address the behaviors that resulted in the referral to the Treatment Works program. Caregiver involvement is required in order for successful treatment outcomes.

Eligibility requirements: Ages 5+, Referral from the Pinellas County School System, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the child welfare system of care

Interested in Treatment Works?
If you or someone you know might benefit from this program, our team may be able to help. Contact us to learn more about eligibility.

Telehealth remote access to crisis evaluation (TRACE)

TRACE is a program that allows Law Enforcement Officers to have immediate access to trained counselors while in the field responding to our community’s emergency calls. TRACE is one of the few cutting edge programs rolling out nationwide to support law enforcement when responding to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis with on-demand telehealth from local behavioral health experts.

Interested in implementing TRACE within your Law Enforcement Agency?
Contact us to learn more.

Pinellas County Department of Health Behavioral Health Services

Directions for Living provides individual counseling services and linkage to mental health case management and psychiatric medication services as needed at Pinellas County Health Department locations. You can find our services at Health Department locations in Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Mid-County, St. Petersburg, Bayside Health Clinic, and Pinellas Park, as well as through the Pinellas County Mobile Medical Unit.

Eligibility requirements: Ages 18+, currently enrolled in the Pinellas County Health Plan or Pinellas County’s Healthcare for the Homeless Program

To inquire about eligibility, please contact your local Health Department for a referral to Directions for Living.

St. Petersburg College Mental Health Services

Directions for Living provides no-cost counseling services to current students enrolled at St. Petersburg College. Students are eligible for 7 sessions each academic year. Services are available via telehealth or in-person, which will be a decision made in partnership with your care team.

Eligibility requirements: Currently enrolled at St. Petersburg College

To learn more about these services, call SPC’s Student Mental Health and Wellness Program Manager at (727) 341-3543.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) offers timely, compassionate support to individuals and groups following traumatic or high-stress events. These services are designed to help people process their experiences, reduce the impact of stress, and build healthy coping strategies that support recovery.

CISM may include group debriefings, individual support, education on common stress reactions, and practical tools for managing emotional and psychological responses after a critical incident. Services are often delivered in partnership with community organizations, including first responder agencies, schools, and healthcare providers.

Our goal is to help individuals and teams stabilize, recover, and move forward with confidence after difficult experiences.

Interested in CISM?
If your organization or group might benefit from this service, our team may be able to help. Contact us to learn more.

get immediate help

Crisis Support

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support. You can also contact Eleos Wellness & Support at (727) 791-3131, for local no-cost crisis stabilization resources.

Why community partnerships matter

Many people access support through schools, healthcare providers, courts, and other community systems, where they have already built trust and relationships. By partnering with these organizations, Directions for Living can bring behavioral health services directly to the places people already go for help. This approach makes care easier to access, reduces barriers, and allows individuals to receive support sooner—building on the trust and connections that are already in place.

If your organization is interested in partnering or learning more about collaborative services, we welcome the opportunity to connect.