Healthsperien Welcomes Leading Advocate and Strategist Alfonso Guida Jr. to Expand Mental Health & Addiction Policy Practice

Working alongside Former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, Al Guida will lead policy and strategic consulting services at the intersection of mental health and addiction, community-based services, and health care system transformation.

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthsperien, LLC, a nationally recognized health care policy consulting firm specializing in federal and state regulatory and legislative analysis, advocacy, and implementation, is proud to welcome Alfonso Guida, Jr., a nationally recognized advocate and strategist, as Partner in its Mental Health & Addiction Policy Practice. Recently named one of Washingtonian's 500 Most Influential People in 2024, Al brings decades of experience in bringing clients federal policy and regulatory solutions, with a proven track record of advancing mental health parity, biomedical research, child welfare, and public health initiatives. His leadership will further strengthen Healthsperien's commitment to driving transformative policy solutions that improve mental health care access and addiction treatment.

"As we expand our work in mental health and addiction policy and advocacy, having Al and his team partner with Healthsperien is a tremendous asset," said Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder and President of Healthsperien. "His deep expertise in both policy and advocacy, combined with his commitment to mental health equity, aligns with our mission. We look forward to the meaningful and lasting contributions we will now collectively bring to shaping mental health policy in the U.S."

At Guide Consulting Services, founded by Al over 20 years ago, he successfully collaborated with major Congressional committees, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Health and Human Services, leading to the establishment and funding of key initiatives such as Mental Health First Aid, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and the 988 National Suicide Prevention Coordinating Office. His advocacy has helped clients in the provider, technology, and public health sectors achieve measurable goals in mental health policy, ensuring that critical services reach those who need them most.

"I'm honored to join Healthsperien as a Partner to continue advocating for bold, innovative policies that transform mental health and addiction care," said Al Guida. "Partnering with Former Rep. Kennedy presents an incredible opportunity to drive forward solutions that make care more accessible, equitable, and effective for communities nationwide."

Prior to founding Guide Consulting Services, Al worked to break down mental health stigma through major advertising campaigns, including partnerships with MTV. In the nonprofit world, he served as Senior Vice President at Mental Health America, where he led government affairs and spearheaded the creation of the organization's State Health Care Reform Department. His efforts played a pivotal role in expanding Medicaid coverage and integrating mental health services into the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

"Al's deep expertise and impressive track record in shaping mental health policy at the federal level make him an invaluable addition to our team," said Patrick J. Kennedy, former U.S. Representative and leader of Healthsperien's Mental Health & Addiction Policy Practice. "His work has directly improved mental health care access, funding, and quality across the country. Together, we will continue pushing for bold reforms that ensure every American has access to the care they need and deserve."

Healthsperien's Mental Health & Addiction Policy Practice works on policy innovation, strategic advising, and stakeholder engagement to improve mental health outcomes nationwide. By welcoming top experts like Al, Healthsperien continues to lead the way in advancing policy solutions that address the growing need for comprehensive, evidence-based mental health care.

To learn more, visit our website at https://healthsperien.com/.

About Healthsperien
Healthsperien, LLC is a nationally recognized Washington, D.C.-based policy and health care consulting firm focused on strategic, regulatory, legislative, and implementation issues. We are focused on the acceleration of responsible and sustainable health care system innovation and transformation to improve health outcomes for all, especially the most vulnerable. To learn more, visit https://healthsperien.com/.

SOURCE Healthsperien