Vikki Dial LPC, LAC
Specialized Therapeutic Counseling:
'Do not ask why the addiction.
Ask why the pain?'
-Gabor Mate
ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT BASED TRAUMA INFORMED PSYCHOTHERAPY
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) psychotherapy helps you accept your thoughts and feelings and commit to making positive changes in your life. Acceptance, self-compassion and mindfulness are the superpowers that you will learn in therapy.
When practiced regularly, they lead to greater psychological flexibility - the cornerstone of health and well-being!
Therapy helps you to live in the present, heal from the past and build a meaningful future.
ADDICTION & DUAL DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT
Many people turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of coping with trauma, pain, and unresolved emotional wounds. Therapy is a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment for processing and healing of these issues. Therapy addresses the challenges that contribute to addiction, such as trauma, mental health, and unhealthy coping skills. By addressing the root causes of trauma and addiction, you can heal from the past and liberate yourself from the cycle of addiction.
EMDR & Trauma Resolution
EMDR treats post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and smaller traumas that show up as depression, anxiety, burn out, grief, binge eating, relationship problems, and substance abuse.
EMDR promotes rapid healing as you experience a ‘clearing’ of emotional and physical blockages. EMDR often leads to a decrease in symptoms and a positive shift in one's sense of self. Resilience and post traumatic growth expand, allowing for greater ease and clarity in responding to life's demands.
Recovery Support
Therapy equips you with practical coping skills and strategies to manage stress, cravings, and triggers without resorting to substances. Using evidence-based techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), you will learn how to better care for yourself, set boundaries, improve your relationships and navigate life's challenges with greater self acceptance and confidence, paving the way for lasting recovery.
New to Therapy?
What to Expect and other Frequently Asked Questions
01
How much does it cost? Where are you located? Do you take insurance?
Appointments are 50 minutes at $155/hr.
I'm located in downtown Louisville. Virtual appointments are available.
I am not currently in-network with any insurance company. I can provide a “superbill” to submit to your insurance as an out-of-network claim.
02
How long does it take?
Time and money are finite resources for most of us, so I customize therapy to met your goals. We can accomplish a lot in a short amount of time, if we are focused. Some people need more therapy than others, depending on their life history. We'll talk about it in our first sessions. I can help you start to feel better today!
In as little as 3 to 6 months, depending on the pacing of therapy, most clients notice that they are feeling better and seeing improvements in many areas of their life's.
03
Why all the trauma talk? And why does trauma matter so much?
Trauma is a loaded word that can mean different things to different people, but at its core, it's physically, emotionally and psychologically overwhelming experiences that cause physical distress and emotional disturbance. Memories of these experiences can trigger an involuntary stress response in our bodies and brains, commonly referred to as ‘fight, flight or freeze’. We tend to recognize the 'big-T traumas' such as assaults, abuse, or sudden deaths.
Other events occur within the context of normal living - like relationships ending, accidents, illness, life transitions or grief and loss. We tend to minimize the lasting impact of these 'small-t traumas.' but our bodies and minds - where the felt-experience is lived and stored - do not make a distinction.
05
How does therapy work?
04
What are some of the symptoms of trauma induced stress disorders?
The stress response of fight-flight-or-freeze is the same for both big and small traumas. Anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress disorders are among the most common symptoms of of unresolved trauma.
Other ways that the stress/trauma responses manifest are:
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Feeling on edge, overwhelmed and highly stressed all the time
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The inability to relax
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Excessive fears, guilt and worry
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Intrusive thoughts and rumination
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Avoidance of reminders of the event(s)
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Increased alcohol consumption, drug use or other unhealthy coping
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Isolating or withdrawing from others
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Feeling disconnected from ourselves and loved ones
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Blaming oneself and feeling responsible for what has transpired
People often come to therapy with the idea that there is something wrong with them. Trauma-informed therapy instead asks what has happened to you. Without stigmatizing or pathologizing, I helps you to put your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in an appropriate context. Therapy allows you to make sense of your lived experiences. This shift in perspective facilitates the desired growth and change. You learn to trust your own innate wisdom and develop a deeper sense of meaning and self-understanding.
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Initial Consultation
the first step towards a good relationship
The key to effective therapy is finding a good fit between therapist and client. During an initial consultation, we will explore whether we are a good match to address the concerns bringing you to therapy. Choosing a therapist is deeply personal. You should feel safe and comfortable talking to me. Also, it's normal to be nervous.
Consultations are brief - 30 minutes over the phone and free of charge.
