Vikki Dial LPC, LAC
About Vikki
I'm a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a licensed addiction counselor (LAC) in Colorado. I opened Victoria Dial Counseling Services in 2019.​
Previously, I worked in the justice system for fifteen years. I began my career as a victim's advocate in the District Attorney’s Office. Later, I facilitated Restorative Justice circles. I was inspired by the healing and transformative power of those community circles, leading me to return to school to earn my Master's degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from Regis University.
As the director of a therapeutic re-entry treatment program, I continued to counsel justice-involved individuals, specializing in the treatment of co-morbid mental illness, trauma and addiction. I worked as a drug court treatment provider, counseling high risk DUI offenders. I also contracted to provide EMDR therapy for an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility and was an affiliate professor at Regis University.
I opened Victoria Dial Counseling Services shortly before the onset of the pandemic. As a trauma therapist specializing in addictions counseling, I'm as inspired by the work of transformation as before. It's an honor to be witness to the journey of another.
In therapy, it's crucial to acknowledge that while trauma may be a part of someone's story, it doesn't define their entire narrative. I'm a holistic and compassionate counselor with a brain-wise approach to therapy that recognizes the innate capacity for growth and adaptation in all of us. I focus on cultivating strengths, fostering resilience, and empowering clients to lead meaningful lives aligned with their values and purpose.
I like to bring humor and play into everything I do - because it's actually good therapy! We master new skills much more quickly when we learn through play. I have a big and curious heart. I love art, music and movies. I read a lot, aspire to make art, collect quotes and geek out on neuroscience. I'm compassionate, fair, honest and trustworthy. I'll give it to you straight but the delivery will always be kind, safe and probably with a laugh.
It's the relationship that heals! Let me be your ally as I teach you how to be your own best advocate.
My Approach:
I'm trained and most often use the following modalities in therapy.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) empowers individuals to live more fully in the present moment, guided by their values and committed to taking meaningful action. Living in alignment with our values is essential for fulfillment, well-being and contributes to more harmonious relationships. By fostering acceptance, mindfulness, and behavioral flexibility, ACT offers a transformative approach to promoting psychological well-being and enhancing overall quality of life.
Polyvagal Informed Therapy
Polyvagal Theory provides a framework for understanding how stress impacts the body and mind. Cultivating awareness of the mind-body connection, Polyvagal informed therapy enables healing through safety, regulation, and fostering resilience. You can learn to regulate your autonomic nervous system and reduce the experience of stress, unhealthy coping behaviors and trauma-related symptoms. Polyvagal informed therapy provides a helpful framework into understanding the innate wisdom of the body, and guiding you towards a sense of safety and well-being through the principles of self-regulation, connection and positive psychology.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that traumatic experiences can overwhelm the brain's natural processing mechanisms, leading to the development of symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety. EMDR aims to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories so that they can be integrated into existing memory networks and no longer trigger distressing symptoms. EMDR has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other trauma-related conditions. It is also used to address a wide range of issues, including grief, performance, substance abuse, and attachment disorders. EMDR offers a structured and evidence-based approach to trauma therapy that helps you to process and integrate traumatic memories, reduces distressing symptoms, and restores a sense of safety and well-being.
SMART Recovery:
SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is an evidence-based approach that individuals can use to address mental health and addiction issues. SMART Recovery is a self-help program that focuses on teaching practical skills for managing addictive behaviors. SMART Recovery emphasizes self-empowerment, self-reliance, and practical skills development, such as building motivation, coping with urges, managing behaviors and emotions, and living a balanced life. Recovery is a lifestyle that extends beyond mere abstinence to encompass holistic well-being and positive life changes. SMART Recovery complements traditional 12 step recovery programs and can be helpful with harm reduction strategies. Utilizing a combination of evidenced based, cognitive behavioral techniques, motivational enhancement strategies, and mindfulness practices, clients cultivate the skills and mindset necessary for lasting change.