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Meet Ally Slocum, Team Brookline Runner and CEDAR Doctoral Psychology Trainee

Growing up in Massachusetts, Ally Slocum was no stranger to the Boston Marathon. Year after year, watching from the sidewalk, she would think to herself, “I’m going to do that one day.”

That “one day” has finally arrived.

This April, Ally will run the 2026 marathon as part of Team Brookline and in support of The Brookline Center. Her passion for accessible mental health care is rooted in an intimate connection to the work, as she works with the Center’s CEDAR team as a Doctoral Psychology Trainee.

CEDAR is a Brookline Center program comprised of a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals focused on the detection of psychosis risk symptoms in young people ages 12-30. As part of the team, Ally supports youth experiencing symptoms that may be warning signs of psychosis.

When choosing a charity team for the marathon, it was deeply important to Ally to fundraise for a cause and organization she genuinely believes in—one that upholds its values in practice. The Brookline Center was a perfect fit.

“I am lucky to be surrounded by people who really care about this work,” Ally shared. “It’s special to be a part of an organization trying to strengthen the mental health care system.”

The CEDAR team operates as a coordinated specialty care team, meaning providers work together to figure out the best course of action for each person’s treatment and develop creative solutions to any barriers that arise. The result is more holistic treatment that takes into account different perspectives, ideas, and components of an individual’s life.

“There are so many different layers,” Ally explained. “You’re really seeing the person as a whole human being, and it makes for more effective treatment.”

She also values the opportunity to foster meaningful relationships with clients. CEDAR brings support and clarity to youth and families as they navigate confusing changes in thinking, feeling, or behavior. It is a powerful experience to be a source of support in difficult times.

“You see people at their most human,” Ally shared. “You get to stand by them when they’re experiencing their lowest lows, and you get to celebrate their wins and watch them grow. I’m constantly impressed and inspired by the courage that I see from my clients every single time we meet.”

Genuine care and passion underline Ally’s commitment to mental health care and drives forward her training and fundraising. She knows the funding will make a real difference in people’s lives.

“Every single day, I feel the importance of what we’re doing,” Ally shared.

This feeling will be with her through every mile on Marathon Monday. In more ways than one, Ally is making an impact on mental health care.

Support Ally’s efforts and the rest of the Center’s Team Brookline runners here.