Guiding teens and their families toward wholeness since 2008
Direction Behavioral Health supports families with structured behavioral health programs for teens and children.
We’ve helped thousands of children & teens find a new Direction
We believe in focusing on the basics to help youth grow into healthy and independent adults by taking a holistic approach to mental wellness. We focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems.
What Makes Direction Different
Our mission is simple and reflected in our treatment model: We empower kids to function better as individuals and in society, recognizing their value and that of others.
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Simple and down-to-earth approach
Our treatment approach is simple and honest, free of acronyms, jargon, buzzwords, empty phrases, and gimmicks. We aren’t about “adding tools to the toolbox” or about learning superficial coping skills. Instead, we’re about growing into healthy, mature, and independent adults, focusing on relationships and habits.
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Stellar facility
Our new facility is over 8,000 square feet and spread over two levels. It includes a gymnasium with a basketball hoop, pickleball net, and professional-grade exercise equipment. We also have numerous musical instruments and a PA system, so we could (and will, at some point) put on a rock concert here. We’re located at one end of Mines Falls, which offers great nature trails for daily walks.
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A Legacy of Dedication and Experience
We’ve been open since 2008 without a change in ownership. Direction is owned and operated by a child and adolescent psychiatrist who is a clinician first and integrally involved in the day-to-day care here. We’ve built an outstanding reputation in the community and helping over 3,000 kids and their families. Many kids have told us the experience changed their lives, and two came back sporting Direction tattoos!
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Our Committed, Hand-Picked Staff
Direction has never hired from an advertised position. Every clinician has been hand-picked based on their skill, love of working with kids, commitment to our treatment approach, and a lifestyle that mirrors the philosophies we teach our kids.
OUR STAFF
Duncan graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in Physical Sciences, obtained his M.D. from Saba University School of Medicine, and completed a Residency in General Psychiatry and Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut. He worked for over three years as a full-time staff psychiatrist at Community Council of Nashua’s Child and Adolescent Program. He also has done work for Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and evaluations for New Hampshire's court system. Outside of work, Dr. Gill enjoys playing electric guitar in a band and sports of all kinds.
He’s one of two known child psychiatrists in New England able to dunk. (though rumor has it that his "ups" aren't what they once were)
Hi! I’m Caroline Toussaint and am so happy to be part of the team at Direction! I have worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care for the last 10 years. Before that I worked as a Nurse Practitioner for high school kids at a boarding school and at an eating disorders clinic. Over the years I have helped kids navigate through their own struggles and feel this new position at Direction is where I’m meant to be!
In my free time I love to read, bake, play with my dogs, hang with my family, listen to my daughter sing and relax at the lake in Maine.
Valerie has been at Direction since 2020. She has bachelor's degrees in psychology and health science with an emphasis in neuroscience and a Master’s degree and associated license in occupational therapy from Saint Francis University. Valerie has a passion for working with children and teens and helping them establish lifelong healthy practices.
In her free time, Valerie enjoys reading, arts and crafts, and hiking. And all the other staff are nice to her because she has a black belt in American Kenpo.
Brie has been an occupational therapist working in pediatrics since 2018. She has a bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology with a minor in psychology, and a Master’s degree in occupational therapy from Salem State University. Brie’s favorite thing is to help kids learn how to build healthy habits and find the balance needed to function through the world in a way that feels good for them. She is passionate about neurodiversity-affirming practice and her therapy style is very-child led, which is more fun for everybody! She is also a certified feeding specialist and finds joy in helping picky eaters expand their diets. When not at work, she enjoys reading (especially fantasy series), baking, running, and playing with her kids.
Erin knows teenagers. In addition to her work at Direction, she worked for over 20 years as a licensed teacher in the Hollis-Brookline school system. With her wry sense of humor, laid-back demeanor, yet capacity for attention to detail (she is a truly paradoxical Type A and Type B personality mix), kids just like her. So do the staff.
When not hanging around teens, Erin is an outdoors type and teaches both CPR and wilderness first aid. You might also bump into her on the backcountry hiking trails.
Jessica has over 15 years of experience in advertising, working at companies like Amazon, Comcast, and Snapchat. She made a bold decision to leave behind the corporate world and follow her passion to help others. Her journey from the fast-paced realm of ad tech to the field of mental health brings a fresh perspective to the field and a unique understanding of human behavior.
She is currently focused on obtaining her Master’s in Counseling at Rivier University while bringing Direction to the next level.
Boy, are we blessed to have this guy back. Ric grew up in (and thankfully, survived) inner-city New Orleans and brings life experience and hard-earned wisdom to our program like no one else. He worked for many years in New Orleans with the most disadvantaged of youth and later for several years at Nashua Children’s Home.
He is part of an exceptionally talented family, which includes a daughter who appeared on American Idol and a son in high school who is on track to play D1 football. If you get a chance, ask him about pet tarantulas.
Tricia has a BA in Elementary Education/Special Education from Rivier University and is working on an MA in Biblical Counseling from Luther Rice University. Having worked in a Montessori K-6 School and as a Math Interventionist and tutor in Westford, MA, for 12 years, Tricia brings a wealth of knowledge to her counseling work.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, sitting outside listening to birds, and reading. Tricia’s a proud mom to three boys, and her happy places are the beach and church.
Emily is one of our new group counselors and graduated from SNHU with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May of 2024. Despite her quiet nature, she is always ready to talk about all things movies and music—Dave Matthews and Billy Joel being her favorite musicians. You’ll probably find her working on one of our many puzzles or recapping Bruins games during hockey season.
Outside of Direction, Emily is slowly but surely working on hiking all the 4,000-footers in New Hampshire or strength training in her home gym. She is currently settling into her post-undergrad life and enjoying each day at Direction.
Matt is another one of our newer counselors who found his passion for connecting with teens working as an ESL tutor. He will graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with his BS in psychology with the ultimate goal of becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Outside of Direction, Matt is often found in the gym, on the golf course, or surfing the beaches of Northern New England.
Catie is our “front desk lady” (Office Manager), medical records coordinator, and computer technician. In addition, you will meet and speak with Catie as she greets visitors in person and over the phone. Catie also helps some of the older generation understand (or fathom at least) the changing world of adolescent customs, social media, and gadgetry.
With her great sense of humor and particularly infectious laugh, she is a frequent client favorite at Direction. Catie is a skilled artisan and enjoys sharing her skills with clients. She particularly enjoys pottery and drawing. She is also an avid Formula 1 racing fan.
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She has decorated her entire office to look like the night sky. You can see her favorite website here.
My name is Graham Chilcoat, and I graduated from Worcester State University in 2023 with a degree in Communications. After graduation, I spent the summer in Malawi, Africa, interning with a non-profit focused on healthcare, education, and sustainability. In my free time, I enjoy playing golf, skiing, and watching movies. My passion for working with children and teens developed through my experience as a counselor for an after-school program, where I also helped lead a teen camp with Saco Parks and Rec in Maine during the spring and summer of 2024.
ORIGIN STORY
How Direction Behavioral Health began
"This kid doesn't need meds; he just needs to smarten up."
These were the words of Joe Walsh, LCMHC, about a troubled teenager in a conversation with child psychiatrist Duncan Gill, MD. This exchange marked the beginning of their unlikely partnership—Duncan, a Harvard-educated psychiatrist, and Joe, a street-smart behaviorist with deep skepticism of Western medicine. Despite their initial differences, including Joe’s homegrown “Wholistic Education” system, they soon discovered common ground: a shared frustration with traditional treatments and a passion for doing better.
Both brought years of clinical experience to the table—Duncan from hospitals and group homes and Joe from his work at Nashua Children’s Home. United by their vision, they took a leap and founded Direction Behavioral Health Associates, launching the area’s only Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adolescents and later adding a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).
Running a business didn’t come naturally, but through trial and error and learning to trust each other, Joe became open to medication in some cases, while Duncan grew to appreciate Joe’s unconventional perspective.
The success rate for start-up businesses is low. We are sure it’s lower for non-business people trying to build a sustainable model in the mental health industry. Nevertheless, Direction has appeared to beat the odds and is still going strong all these years later.
Careers
We are always interested in meeting therapists and general staff with similar values who are looking for full- or part-time positions. Check out our Leadership Principles and Behavioral Guidelines here.
Feel free to email us your resume to
info@directionbehavioralhealth.com.
How can we help you and your child take a new Direction?
With our empathy, personalized approach, and commitment to treating the whole person, we create a transformative experience for every young person who walks through our doors. By fostering a nurturing and supportive atmosphere, we encourage youth to explore their feelings, confront challenges, and pursue personal growth at their own pace.
