Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Rhode Island

I want to help you help yourself. I believe everyone is capable of change and I will teach you skills to use everyday.

You deserve to feel heard, supported, and understood—and if you’re here, you’ve already taken a meaningful step toward change.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s degree from the University of Connecticut, specializing in mental health and substance use. I’ve worked with teens, adults, and families across a range of settings, including outpatient clinics, schools, home-based care, and virtual therapy.

I work with people navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, identity exploration, relationship stress, and major life transitions. Many of my clients feel overwhelmed, stuck in patterns they can’t seem to shift, or exhausted from trying to manage everything on their own.

My approach is collaborative, direct when helpful, and grounded in compassion. I use evidence-based practices including CBT, DBT, ACT, and trauma-informed care, but I tailor therapy to what actually fits your life—not just a model. We focus on what’s showing up for you right now, while also working toward longer-term stability and change.

Therapy with me is not about judgment or perfection. It’s a space to slow things down, understand what’s driving stress or emotional pain, and build practical tools that help you feel more steady and in control of your day-to-day life.

Welcome!

If you hope to slow down for an hour to ask deep questions, commit to your values, increase your self compassion, and rewrite your narrative, I am here to help you through that process.

I work alongside individuals experiencing anxiety, ADHD, perinatal challenges, relationship concerns, and grief. I am also passionate about working with clients who have experienced intimate partner violence and sexual violence. I am a clinical social worker licensed in Maine and Rhode Island, holding a Master of Social Work from the University of New England.

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.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a therapeutic approach and consulting practice grounded in the belief that healing begins when we learn to see ourselves through a clearer, more empowered lens. As a Nigerian-American woman, my heritage deeply informs my understanding of identity, resilience, spirituality, and community. These values shape the way I hold space for clients and guide them toward alignment with their highest embodiment of self.

My professional background includes years of experience in community mental health, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive practice. I have supported women, youth, and BIPOC communities through therapy, support groups, and mental health trainings. I am also influenced by Womanist Psychology, which honors the lived experiences, wisdom, and strength of Black women and communities.

My work integrates Western therapeutic approaches with cultural insight, African wisdom, and a holistic understanding of healing. I believe that our lenses or our “vue" are shaped by our stories, our lineage, and the environments that raised us. Through SelfVue, I help clients shift their perspective, reconnect with their inner strength, and cultivate a grounded sense of self-worth.

Whether through individual therapy, consultation, or organizational support, my goal is to create a warm, intuitive, and culturally attuned space where clients feel seen, affirmed, and supported in their journey toward self-actualization.

This wild, painful, beautiful human experience can be a lot to process on our own, and it can be empowering to sort it out with a compassionate mental health professional who can be a support throughout your emotional growth. I am committed to showing up with empathy and gentle curiosity in collaboration with my clients. I am licensed in and seeing clients in Colorado and Rhode Island.

I have a passion for working with visual artists, writers, poets, musicians, and designers. I am an artist who believes that creative expression can be a way to engage the healing process and help us make meaning in this tumultuous world. I love working with artists and creatives, but you do not need to identify as an artist or creative to collaborate in therapy with me. We all hold the potential for creative healing engagement with ourselves, in relationships, and in the world. I welcome the opportunity to work with clients of all backgrounds and identities.

I received my MA in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University, my MFA in Visual Art from Rutgers University, and my BFA in Visual Studies from Iowa State University. Before I became a counselor I spent fifteen years teaching studio art and cultural studies courses at colleges and universities across the United States. As an artist, writer, former academic, and mental health counselor, I have dedicated my life to creating connection and depth in relationships.

I am a dedicated therapist with over 17 years of experience helping individuals navigate the complexities of mental health and addiction. I specialize in supporting those struggling with anxiety, depression, and substance use.

I believe that many people underestimate how deeply their mental well-being impacts their overall quality of life. My goal is to build a relationship with you that honors your unique worldview while addressing the day-to-day stressors that hold you back. Whether you are dealing with inter-personal conflict, grief, or life transitions, I provide a safe, judgment-free space where you can feel seen and heard.