With a career-long commitment to the mental health, education, and wellness of youth and families, Victoria has provided therapy in congregate care, school, hospital, and outpatient settings.
In addition to direct practice, she has devoted herself to the next generation of social workers as an adjunct professor and field instructor.
Currently an outpatient clinician, Victoria assists youth and their caregivers in navigating life transitions, interpersonal and environmental stressors, and traumatic events.
Having been on the frontline for countless crises, Victoria embraces the words of Dr. Jon Conte in Trauma Stewardship, a practice reminder that, “....it is a gift to be present when people deal with trauma.”
Social work is a daily privilege.
A compassionate, collaborative, and strengths-based teacher and clinician, Victoria is eager to synthesize these experiences in her doctoral studies as she focuses on developmental trauma.
Graduating in May, Victoria is looking toward roles in social work field education and instruction.
Forever the direct practitioner, private practice remains a goal.
Victoria’s career began in elementary education – twenty-seven years and almost two degrees later, her commitment to children, families, advocacy, and equitable access to services remains.
A member of numerous multidisciplinary teams (and children’s literature enthusiast) she carries a favorite quote into all meetings: “I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.”
While children and caregivers have voices, they are not always heard at the proverbial table.
Victoria envisions her social work role as an amplifier of those voices, and as the voice of reason when others seek to pathologize life
stressors and environmental challenges.
Her primary objective in all interactions is that people feel seen, supported, and valued.