Vicki Lavick
currently serves as the assistant clinical coordinator of outpatient
services with Proctor Hospital's Addiction Recovery Center. She has
been with Proctor since September, 1997. Vicki earned her Bachelor of
Arts in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University (EIU), and
recently finished her Masters of Science in Education degree in
Guidance and Counseling from EIU.
Vicki worked in the substance abuse/dependence field for just over a year before joining Proctor. She dealt with a variety of clients, from those in residential treatment to those in outpatient care. Much of her work consisted of reintegrating newly recovering women with their children in an intensive outpatient setting. Vicki and another staff member worked closely with the children in a group setting, educating them about the disease of addiction, informing them how various chemicals affect the body, encouraging them to express feelings appropriately and helping them to understand how drug and alcohol use has affected their family. Vicki assisted the mothers in utilizing community resources as needed, advocated for all clients in the coordination of their treatment needs with the Department of Children and Family Services and the court systems.
Before working in the addictions field, Vicki worked extensively with people with developmental disabilities. She held a variety of positions at various facilities, assisting clients in achieving their goals and helping them learn social skills and life skills. Vicki was also very active in Natural Ties, an organization that strived to integrate people with disabilities into college organizations.
Vicki became interested in the addictions field as a career when she did her undergraduate internship at a substance abuse facility. She participated in groups, interacted informally with clients and watched several videos on alcoholism and drug addiction. She learned about the DUI program and participated in client staffings. Through this experience, Vicki decided that this was what she wanted to do: to provide education and counseling to people with substance abuse problems or chemical dependency, to provide guidance and support to those who need help to help themselves.
Vicki enjoys working in the field and welcomes the opportunity for continuous learning. She appreciates the challenge and diversity of her current position and likes working as part of a team in the best interest of the clients. Vicki intends to obtain alcohol and drug certification in the spring. Having completed the initial training program for gambling, she plans to complete the requirements for gambling certification in the future. For now, she hopes to continue to be part of the Addiction Recovery Center in its effort to help people recover one day at a time.
