Alicea is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Connecticut. Alicea earned her Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Psychology and minor in Business at Sacred Heart University of Fairfield, CT. In addition, Alicea obtained a Graduate Certificate in Leadership from the John F. Welch College of Business of Sacred Heart University. Alicea then earned her Master of Arts Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University of Fairfield, CT.
Alicea has worked in the clinical field for over 9 years and has experience working with clients of all ages ranging from children, adolescents, adults, and older adults from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Alicea has interning experience working at the REACH Program at Bridgeport Hospital, in EMPS (Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services), and Mary Magdalene and Isaiah 61:1 halfway houses in Bridgeport, CT. Alicea worked at the Child and Family Guidance Center of Bridgeport as an EMPS Crisis Clinician for five years by providing mobile, on-site clinical assessments to children and adolescents experiencing psychiatric and/or behavioral crises in the community. In the EMPS program, she utilized her leadership skills and was promoted to Program Coordinator. Subsequently, Alicea became a Family-Based Recovery Clinician at The Child and Family Guidance Center providing group therapy and intensive in-home attachment-based therapy to mothers and fathers parenting infants and/or toddlers and are actively using substances or have a history of substance use.
Since joining Covenant Family Services as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Alicea has worked with many individuals, children, couples, and families by helping them address various issues such as depression, suicidal ideation, ADHD, anxiety, grief, PTSD, trauma, addiction, relationship and intimacy issues, communication difficulties, life cycle transitions, parenting concerns, and child behavioral issues.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist, Alicea has a strong clinical foundation in the systems-based approach and she believes in the importance of treating problems from a larger context and lens that includes the influence of patterns of interaction, beliefs, culture, upbringing, and relationships. Alicea believes in the importance of the therapeutic relationship and strives to join with clients and develop a safe, non-judgmental environment to work collaboratively on addressing presenting issues. Alicea also believes in the strength-based approach to treatment that focuses on the idea that clients possess innate strengths to assist them in making positive changes in their lives and changing negative patterns of interaction. Alicea understands that challenges happen in life and it can be difficult to take the step to seek growth and change. Alicea is passionate about assisting clients on their journeys to utilize and embrace their innate strengths while helping them achieve their goals. Alicea recognizes that each individual, child, family, and couple is unique and she believes in tailoring and utilizing her strong clinical training, experience, skills, and treatment approaches to meet their specific needs. Alicea is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.