Alison Rico has more than a decade of clinical experience and a specialized interest in the areas of mental health within the realms of law, healthcare and foster care. She currently serves as the manager for the Mental Health Concentration in the Office of Field Education.

Rico also teaches foundation practicum and mental health theory courses as well as taking on roles as a mental health curriculum lead and co-chair for the Mental Health Concentration Antiracist Committee.

Rico’s interest in the integration of social work and mental health in addition to her years of work with adults and children have significantly influenced her pedagogy and her approach to helping students prepare to take on the challenge of becoming social workers with diverse and inclusive approaches within the practice of mental health. 

After earning her MSW from the Brown School in 2006, Rico worked several years in law and healthcare in several capacities as well as within the foster care community providing individual and family therapy, facilitating workshops and teaching coping and life skills to both adolescents and adults with chronic mental illness. In 2011 Rico started her private practice serving children, youth and families within the adoption and foster care system as well as with the general community providing therapeutic services that assisted clients with managing issues such as depression, anxiety, attachment issues and trauma.