Serving Beyond: Dr. LeKisha Alesii Uses Health Psychology To Give Back

Durham, NC – Dr. LeKisha Alesii is a force to be reckoned with as she works in her local Durham community and surrounding areas to provide services, education, and resources for individuals battling mental and health-related issues simultaneously. Her passion for the professional work she has been called to operate in, known as Health Psychology, allows her to offer reduced cost and free mental health services to those who cannot afford psychological services. Obtaining her Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina, Dr. Alesii had the privilege of working at Fort Bragg (NC) as a civilian Health Psychologist providing therapy and evaluation to service members who were having emotional difficulties and health concerns.

With over 15 years of graduate-level experience in the mental health field, Dr. Alesii currently serves as a private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients, with an area of expertise in chronic pain management, coping with medical conditions, and coping skills for managing challenging situations including military trauma.

Dr. Alesii took an interest in Health Psychology due to her own personal experience in dealing with a chronic, life-threatening illness. She values collaboration therapy, with her approach consisting of providing support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. Dr. Alesii works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

Dr. Alesii graciously goes beyond the traditional psychology clinical setting and serves others through her professional training and knowledge. She willingly shares her journey.

What attracted you to the healthcare profession, particularly Psychology and mental health?
I was told when I was in high school that I was easy to talk to. I also had some friends who were going through some mental health issues. Both of these factors sparked my interest in psychology. I began to educate myself more about the field and I became intrigued. I then realized that there was a specialized field called health psychology. Because of my own health problems, I decided to learn more about the field of health psychology. It seemed like a perfect fit between my interest in psychology and my goal of educating myself about ways people can deal with chronic health conditions.

Do you feel you are making the impact you desire within the community?
Yes, I do. I always feel like more can be done, but I also feel as if I am doing the best that I can to impact those around me and in my community. I offer reduced cost and sometimes free mental health services on a limited basis to those who cannot afford psychological services. In addition, I provide free mentorship services to individuals who are seeking careers in the mental health field.

When did you know it was time to serve beyond and become involved in your local community?
I have felt the call to get involved in my community since high school. I was involved in community service/volunteer activities even back then and I continue to do so now when time allows.

Where do you envision yourself in the next 5 years as a mental health, emotional health and wellness advocate?
I envision myself offering more community services through my private practice, Center for Health and Emotional Wellness, PLLC. I would like to continue to offer reduced cost and free mental health services to those who need it but cannot afford it. My goal is to also do more within the community to help individuals cope with sickle cell disease and other chronic illnesses. I hope to be able to provide education about ways to lead a healthy lifestyle in spite of a chronic condition and offer psychosocial treatments for people who have a health condition along with a mental health issue. I also would like to expand my reach beyond administering services in my practice to providing education and resources to the general public through the creation of a podcast and blogs.

Let’s talk about your role as owner of the Center for Health & Emotional Wellness, PLLC. Why did you decide to open your own practice? What led you to serve in the mental health field in this capacity?
When I had my daughter, I realized I needed more flexibility in my schedule. I also wanted to be able to have more control over how I can provide mental health services to people in the community, as well as more mentorship to individuals seeking careers in mental health. I felt that by opening my own practice, I could achieve these goals.

What is next for Dr. Alesii in the entrepreneurial arena, as a Psychologist serving beyond the traditional 9-5 clinical role?
I am planning on moving beyond being a solo practitioner to being the owner of a group psychology practice. This year, I plan to hire more people so that the Center for Health and Emotional Wellness, PLLC can have an even bigger impact on the community.

What, or who has served as your inspiration to give back, educate and advocate for mental health or healthcare all together?
People that I serve and to whom I provide services are examples of my biggest inspiration. Seeing how they make the effort to improve their own lives and do the hard work of being involved in therapy inspires me to keep moving forward and give back to the community.

What tips do you have for others in the healthcare field desiring to branch out into another aspect of serving as a healthcare professional, whether in the community or business ownership?
I would recommend not being afraid to make yourself known in the community because this can lead to more opportunities for helping others while also learning more about your own field. I also recommend reaching out to students because they are our future and could bring so much to the table with regards to helping the community and growing into the healthcare field. Mentorship is so important to people, especially students. The more that we can mentor them, the better that they can be in whatever field they choose.

How can our readers connect with you?
Readers can connect with me through the following avenues:
Center for Health and Emotional Wellness, PLLC
LeKisha Y. Edwards Alesii, PhD
5107 Southpark Drive, Suite 204, Durham, NC 27713
Phone: 919-589-3550
Fax: 1-888-819-6694
E-mail: info@wellnessdurham.com
Website: www.wellnessdurham.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wellnessdurham