Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Raven Aleman DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC.
Hi Dr. Raven , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path to where I am today has been a blend of passion, purpose, and a deep belief that mental health care should feel human, accessible, and truly supportive. I started my career working within larger healthcare systems, gaining invaluable experience but also seeing firsthand how easily patients could feel unseen in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Over time, I found myself wanting to build something more personal—something rooted in compassion, integrative care, and genuine relationships.
That desire is what inspired Fern & Fathom Mental Health Solutions. I began slowly, building my practice during evenings and weekends, one patient at a time, focusing on creating a space where people felt heard, validated, and genuinely cared for. What started as a small dream quickly grew into a full-time passion as more patients sought a thoughtful, whole-person approach to medication management and supportive psychotherapy.
Today, Fern & Fathom is a growing multi-state telehealth practice dedicated to meeting patients exactly where they are—emotionally, geographically, and in their busy lives. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, not because of numbers or milestones, but because each patient who chooses to trust me with their mental health reminds me why I started this journey to begin with. This work is my calling, and creating a safe, judgment-free space for healing will always be at the heart of what I do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most meaningful journeys, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. Starting and growing a mental health practice—especially one built with intention and heart—comes with its own set of challenges. There were long days, a steep learning curve, and the pressure of wearing many hats at once: clinician, business owner, marketer, administrator, and everything in between.
Stepping out on my own meant navigating unfamiliar territory—licensing across multiple states, setting up systems that truly support patients, developing a brand that reflects my values, and ensuring that every decision aligned with ethical, high-quality care. There were moments of uncertainty and plenty of trial and error as I figured out what worked, what didn’t, and what truly mattered.
But every challenge strengthened my purpose. The hard moments taught me resilience, clarity, and the importance of building a practice centered on compassion and connection. Looking back, those struggles shaped Fern & Fathom into what it is today—a place where patients feel supported by someone who understands what it means to overcome obstacles and still show up wholeheartedly. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but it has absolutely been worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Fern & Fathom Mental Health Solutions is a telehealth-based integrative psychiatry practice created to make mental health care feel deeply personal, compassionate, and grounded in true partnership. We specialize in non-controlled medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and a whole-person approach that looks far beyond symptoms to understand the full story behind what someone is experiencing. Our mission is simple: to provide thoughtful, patient-centered mental health care that feels genuinely human.
A large part of our work centers around helping people who are hesitant about medications—those who may have had negative experiences in the past, worry about side effects, or fear feeling numb, unlike themselves, or like a “science experiment.” Many of my patients come in with concerns about stigma, uncertainty about medication, and a desire for someone who will go slow, personalize treatment, and truly listen. At Fern & Fathom, we honor those concerns. We explore options together, never rush decisions, and consider lifestyle, sleep, stressors, nutrition, and root causes before recommending medication. And if someone prefers to start with alternatives or wants to try non-medication approaches first, they are fully supported. If those methods don’t bring relief, medication remains an option—not a requirement—handled with care and collaboration.
Another important distinction of my practice is that I specialize in non-controlled medication treatment. Many patients come to me with a history of addiction concerns or with discomfort around medications like Adderall, Vyvanse, Xanax, or Ambien. I do not prescribe controlled substances for these very reasons, and patients find comfort in knowing that their treatment will focus on safer, evidence-based options tailored to their needs.
I also believe in looking deeper. Many patients feel they’ve tried medication after medication without success, often because the underlying diagnosis or contributing factors were never fully explored. I take time to understand family history, personal history, and the nuances of symptoms. For those who want additional guidance, I offer genetic testing to help inform medication choices—especially for individuals who have struggled to find something that works. Sometimes the issue isn’t the patient—it’s that they’ve never been matched with the right medication or approach.
What sets Fern & Fathom apart is the intentionality behind every interaction. Patients are never rushed, judged, or made to feel like a number. Instead, each session is a calm, supportive space where people feel seen, validated, and heard.
I’m incredibly proud of the brand itself—Fern representing growth, and Fathom representing depth—a reflection of both the healing journey and the kind of care we provide. As we expand across multiple states, that heart-centered mission remains the same: to offer modern, accessible, stigma-free telehealth care rooted in authenticity, clinical expertise, and a genuine commitment to helping each person feel better, safely and sustainably.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is seeing people feel understood, empowered, and hopeful again. In mental health care, so many patients come in feeling unheard, overwhelmed, or discouraged by past experiences. Being able to sit with someone, validate their story, and help them find clarity or relief—even in small steps—genuinely fills me with purpose. It’s incredibly meaningful to witness those moments when a patient realizes they’re not alone, not broken, and that real healing is possible.
I also find joy in the deeper connection my work allows. Learning a patient’s history, their strengths, their fears, and what makes them who they are—it’s an incredible privilege. Helping someone understand themselves better, uncover root causes, or finally feel seen in a way they haven’t before brings me a profound sense of fulfillment.
Outside of the clinical work, building Fern & Fathom as a brand rooted in compassion and authenticity makes me happy. I love creating something that aligns with my values—care that’s slow, thoughtful, trauma-informed, and truly individualized. Knowing that patients feel safe here, that they feel respected and not rushed, reminds me why I started this journey.
And on a personal level, happiness for me comes from the simple things: spending time at home with my family and our animals, enjoying quiet moments, traveling, and grounding myself in nature. These parts of my life recharge me so that I can continue showing up fully for the people I care for.
Ultimately, what makes me happiest is being part of someone’s story in a meaningful way—helping them grow, heal, and rediscover their strength. There’s nothing more rewarding than that.
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Image Credits
Photography by: Sonia’Z eye photography
