Alisha Harvey-Means

I'm Alisha — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and MSW with nine years of experience working with teens, adults, and families across Rhode Island. My background began in child welfare and behavioral health, which shaped how I work: I understand that the challenges people bring to therapy often run deeper than what shows up on the surface, and that real progress takes trust, time, and a therapeutic relationship that actually feels safe.

I specialize in anxiety, trauma, family conflict, body image, and women's mental health. I'm particularly passionate about working with Black and mixed-race clients, and I'm committed to offering therapy that is culturally responsive — not just culturally competent on paper, but genuinely attuned to the realities of navigating identity, race, and belonging in everyday life.

I offer sessions in North Kingstown and East Providence, as well as telehealth throughout Rhode Island. I have evening and Saturday morning availability, and I accept Aetna, Cigna, Carelon, and several other major insurance plans. A sliding scale is available for those without coverage.

My practice draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), strength-based techniques, Motivational Interviewing, and attachment-based approaches. In sessions, we identify the thought patterns driving anxiety and stress, then build

practical skills you can use between appointments. I believe you already carry the resilience needed to shift things. My job is to help you see it, name it, and put it to

work. Sessions are collaborative and direct. You will always know why we are doing what we are doing and leave each week with something concrete.

I pull from what actually fits where you are right now.

Sessions with me tend to feel like a real conversation. I ask questions, I listen carefully, and I'll sometimes challenge you — gently — when I think it serves your growth. I

believe in giving clients real tools they can use between sessions, not just processing without direction. At the same time, I know that healing isn't linear, and I'll follow your pace.

Our first session is a real conversation. I will ask what brought you in, what has felt heavy lately, and what you are hoping therapy can change. There is no checklist to

rush through. By the end you will have a clearer sense of what working together could look like, and you will leave feeling heard, not evaluated. From there we build a

plan specific to you.

Expect honesty, curiosity, and no pressure to perform. In our first session, I'll ask you what's bringing you in, what's felt hard lately, and what you're hoping therapy can do

for you. There's no intake questionnaire to rush through — we'll talk like two people getting to know each other with purpose.

By the end of that first hour, you'll have a sense of whether working together feels right. If it does, we'll start mapping out a direction. If you're unsure, that's okay — one session doesn't commit you to anything. My goal is that you leave feeling heard, not evaluated.

Best availability times: Evening slots (Monday–Friday after 5pm) and Saturday mornings are particularly well-suited for working adults, college students, and school age

teens whose schedules don't allow for mid-day appointments.