outpatient behavioral health services for children

Getting started with care

visit us for
same day access

Come by our Clearwater Center anytime Monday through Friday.
No appointment is needed.
1437 S. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL 33764

Meet with
our care team

Our team will talk with you and your child about their needs and complete an assessment to determine the services that may be right for your child.

Get connected
to services

Based on your child’s assessment, we will help connect them with the care that best fits their needs. You’ll leave with a clear plan for moving forward.

your child’s journey can begin today

At Directions for Living, new clients can access services through Same Day Access, which allows you to meet with our team without scheduling an appointment in advance. Child’s legal guardian must be present at the time of the visit.

Simply visit our Clearwater Center Monday through Friday during our business hours and our team will help you get started.

Please plan to spend at least three hours with us during your first visit. This allows our team to review your child’s needs, answer questions, and connect your child with the right services.

Click Here if you are seeking care for an adult

New Client Registration Form

You may download and complete our New Client Registration Packet for your child before arriving. If you are unable to fill it out ahead of time, we will provide it for you at check-in.

Children’s Registration Packet

Versión en Español

what to bring

Bringing the following items can help make your child’s first visit go smoothly:
clients AGES 17 & under
  • Child’s Social Security number
  • Child’s insurance information (if you have it)
  • List of medications and dosages the child is currently taking
  • Proof of household income (paystubs, most recent tax filing, etc.)
  • A referral if the child has one (from a hospital, crisis unit, primary doctor, etc.)
  • Any other important documents that will be helpful (medical records, case plans from DCF, psychological evaluations, etc.)
  • Your child’s completed New Client Registration packet if you choose to fill it out ahead of time
what not to bring

for everyone’s safety

Directions for Living is a private facility. For the safety of all clients and team members, weapons and firearms are not permitted inside our buildings.

If you carry a weapon, it must remain secured in your vehicle in accordance with Florida law (Fla. Stat. 790.251).

CLIENT HANDBOOK

This will serve as your all-purpose guide to getting started with Directions for Living when you are new to our care. Please consult this handbook for contact lists, frequently asked questions, privacy information, and much more.

Download

what to expect

During your child’s first visit, you and your child will meet with a member of our team for an initial conversation to get to know you. This visit includes:

  • Reviewing your child’s background and current concerns
  • Completing an assessment to understand your child’s therapeutic needs
  • Reviewing insurance and financial information
  • Discussing the services that may best support your child

Our goal is to make sure your child is connected to the right care as quickly as possible.

Insurance & Payment Options

We accept most Medicaid and Medicare plans, along with select commercial insurance options. If you have questions about your coverage, click here to email our Customer Service team.

If your insurance includes a copay, it will be due at the time of your appointment. If this ever feels like a barrier, please let us know—we’re here to work with you.

If you don’t have insurance, we offer a sliding fee scale based on income to help make care more accessible. We’ll work with you to find an option that fits your situation, because everyone deserves support—no matter their ability to pay.

aCCESSIBILITY AND AUXILIARY AIDS PLAN