Prior to obtaining her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Alesi had a career in policy and international relations. She has worked with university students in different settings, including as manager of international scholarship programs for students from the Middle East and North Africa, as an adjunct faculty at undergraduate and graduate institutions in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, and as a remote coach supporting candidates studying for the psychology licensing exam. Dr. Alesi has also received training in outpatient medical settings, private practice, an inpatient hospital, and a community mental health clinic.
Dr. Alesi sees therapy as a process to foster self-awareness, facilitate personal growth, and help individuals identify and achieve their goals. This results in her striving to create a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere for individuals to promote healing. Dr. Alesi commits to supporting safe spaces for Black folks and people of color to heal, be seen, and valued. Dr. Alesi seeks to promote Black wellness in the various roles she occupies and resist intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional racism. Dr. Alesi adopts a social justice approach to psychology, as she believes that the theories and practice of psychology are not isolated from the larger sociocultural influence of our society. Part of her advocacy work is carried out through the Government Relations Committee at the DC Psychological Association.
Dr. Alesi’s clinical orientation consists of an integrative model, in which empirically supported interventions are assimilated to take into account the person’s strengths and challenges. In addition, her treatment approach is collaborative, integrating resources to provide appropriate and culturally sensitive treatment to diverse populations. Her experience includes working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, self-esteem, relationship problems, trauma, stress management, and general difficulty coping with change. She is honored to join a team of other professionals committed to serving the UDC campus community.
