Vicki comes to Restore Counseling with an impressive background that spans 28 years of community mental health, education, and the use of innovative counseling techniques in a private practice setting.   Vicki is an area renowned public speaker, educator, and lecturer.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker [LCSW] and has a Specialty in Couple’s Counseling and Trauma Counseling / Abuse Dynamics, is a Certified Hypnotherapist, and a Certified Equine Mental Health Professional.

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Experience:

 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker:  (2019 - Present)

Restore Counseling & Recovery - Rockford, IL                                                                  

• Focus populations included adults, adolescents, couples, families, communities

• Implementation of clinical treatment plans addressing DSM diagnoses and individualized variants

• Provide an innovate working environment that promotes safety, inclusiveness and comfort

• Utilize a variety of counseling modalities including, but not limited to, cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, family of origin, hypnosis, EMDR, meditation and mindfulness.

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Licensed Clinical Social Worker: (1999 – 2019)               

Private Practice | Rockford, IL 

• Focus populations included adults, adolescents, couples, families, communities

• Implementation of clinical treatment plans addressing DSM diagnoses and individualized variants

• Provide an innovate working environment that promotes safety, inclusiveness and comfort

• Utilize a variety of counseling modalities including, but not limited to, cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, family of origin, hypnosis, EMDR, meditation and mindfulness.

 

MISA (Mental Illness Substance Abuse) Coordinator: (2001-2005)

Rosecrance Inc. | Rockford, IL 

• Supervised clinical staff in identifying mental health/substance abuse issues, social and emotional dynamics, family system theory

• Provided effective treatment plans and interventions to the dually diagnosed in-patient population.

• Educated and trained clinical staff in becoming familiar with psychotropic medications

• Provided in-services, workshops and seminars in related areas to patients, families, clinical staff at multiple community-based facilities and corporations.

 

Clinical Associate in Counseling: (1997-1998)

Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine | Rockford, IL 

• Created initial strategic marketing and brand planning for University Psychiatric Services (UPS), an integral clinical practice within the Department of Psychiatry.

• Conceptualized and executed public relations campaigns that effectively built relationships within the community, and industry, through on and offsite events lecture series and that enhanced the department’s overarching out-reach goals and programs.

• Conducted psychosocial evaluations and provided appropriate therapies for a diverse client population including, but not limited to children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics, families and groups.

• Created a unique and innovative Play Therapy component to UPS that ultimately led to hiring additional positions, including a Child Psychiatrist within the department.

 

Specialties:

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• Addressing Employee Burnout in the Workplace

• Anxiety Disorder and Treatment

• Diagnosing and Treating ADD/HD Child &

• Eating Disorders: Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, Compulsive Overeating

• Meeting the Inner Child through Guided Imagery

• Mindfulness and Stress Management

• Personality Disorders and Treatments

• Psychotic Disorders and Treatments

• Restructuring Cognitive Distortions

• Utilizing Systems Theory with Families 

 

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, AFFILIATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS:

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Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association:  2011 - 2014

American Academy of Medical Hypnosis: 2010 to Present

Haven Network: 2007 to Present

Woman Space: 1998 to Present

University of Illinois Alumni Association: 1989 to Present

National Association of Social Workers: 1989 to Present

Board of Directors | Haven Network Rockford Memorial Hospital | Rockford, IL: 2007 to 2010

Board of Directors | Roscrance Inc. | Rockford, IL: 2000 to 2003

 

EDUCATION

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MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK                                                     

University of Illinois | Champaign-Urbana

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IL BACHELOR OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES 

University of Illinois | Chicago, IL 

 

Vicki lives in Rockford with her husband Roger, a son, a daughter and granddaughter.   Vicki is a big nature /outdoors fan.  She loves organics and gardening.  She and her husband are big DIY fans and she is a very crafty individual who especially loves working with stained glass.  She and Roger have 2 dogs.