

Headway connects Salem residents with Cigna-covered providers for flexible therapy options. With copays between $0-$30 and over 2,022 providers nationally, find the right fit for your mental health needs with free consultations available.
I’m Alison (Ali) Pugh, a Clinical Social Worker, USAF veteran, and mom of two. I help adults who are juggling work, family, caregiving, or major life changes that feel heavier than they look on the surface. If you’re feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, you’re in the right place. My style is calm, collaborative, and steady. There’s no pressure to have the perfect words.
With over 20 years of experience, I bring a broad range of skills and perspectives to my work with individuals, families, couples and groups. I'm a believer that therapy is not a "one size fits all" process. I work with patients on their self-designed goals. My patients describe me as warm, down-to-earth, direct and empowering.
I’m a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a background in pharmacy, giving me a well-rounded perspective on mental health care. I work primarily with children, adolescents, and young adults, while also supporting older adults. My practice is rooted in compassion, advocacy, and respect for each person’s unique journey.
I have over 25 years’ experience and training in psychiatric rehabilitation sciences and approach therapy from a recovery model. I believe that with the right skills and supports people can do anything. I use a strengths-based approach; rather than focusing on diagnosis I focus on what the individual brings to therapy, what obstacles are present and the individual’s strengths. I work hard to facilitate a trusting relationship and create a non-judgmental space for my clients to grow and thrive. I utilize CBT, Relapse Prevention and Motivational Enhancement Therapy. I believe people are the expert in their recovery, and it is my job to help bring that expertise to the forefront of treatment.
I am compassionate and eager to help my clients understand and overcome their struggles.
My focus is on quality of life. My work has largely been with older adults and their family members, but I work with adults of all ages. I have a Master's degree in expressive arts therapy and nearly 40 years of clinical counseling experience.
I received my Master's in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2014. My clinical values are deeply rooted in the ethos of social work, which is that to understand any person, you must understand the context of their life. This includes your family of origin, socioeconomic status, any discrimination you face, and your religious or spiritual belief system. All of these parts of your life will be essential to bring into the therapy space to understand best what ails you and where we might find remedies within you and your community.



Headway makes it easy to get affordable in-network mental health care with Cigna — from finding the right therapist or psychiatrist, to understanding costs, to booking your first session.
Use left and right arrow keys to switch tabs. Press Shift+Tab to return to the tab list from links in the selected tab.