Hi, I’m Vicki Madden
MA, MFTC
I am so glad that you are here and ready to lean into the process of change! I promise you, it is so worth it. I’ve been where you are… I know the frustration of being in a relationship where you just can’t simply get on the same page. The pain of never feeling heard and being constantly misunderstood by the person you love most.
I also know that things CAN change. I know the power of having a therapist that reassures you and makes you feel more understood than you’ve ever been and can help your partner understand too. Someone who is nonjudgmental, who wants the best for you and your relationship, and who can actually help.
I began my journey of becoming a marriage and family therapist after my personal experience in couples therapy, where I was exposed to the transformational power of relational work. Not only did couples therapy help my relationship, but it also caused a ripple effect of change in all aspects of my life.
✺ I practice inclusive therapy, embracing people of all backgrounds and experiences. ✺
What to Expect
We are going to spend a lot of time at the beginning building a strong relationship. You will know that I care about you! I truly enjoy getting to know you and your story. I believe I have the best job in the world as I get to witness and connect with other humans as they share and experience their vulnerability.
I work with clients that are willing to have tough discussions and are motivated for change. Please know that if you come and expect me to fix your relationship or your partner, you will quickly be disappointed. Listen, I get why you are feeling that way. Know that relational change requires each person to recognize their responsibility and part in the relationship dynamics. Expect to be challenged and willing to work on what we discuss outside of our sessions. Change is so tough! I’ll be here with you each step of the way and we will work at a tolerable pace: but know, you will get what you put in.
My Approach
My approach is largely based on the foundations of the Satir Model. Whether you are coming for individual, couple, or family work - we will use this humanistic framework as a way to help you connect with your experience to build self-esteem, transform coping patterns, and reconstruct the way you communicate. This quote sums up this model really well:
“There are five freedoms: the freedom to see and hear what is; the freedom to say what you feel and think; the freedom to feel what you actually feel; the freedom to ask for what you want; the freedom to take risks on your own behalf.” - Virginia Satir
I also integrate a variety of other therapeutic models such as:
Relational Life Therapy (RLT)
Attachment-based approaches, including Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Attachment-Based Family Therapy
Narrative
Gottman Method
I am a trauma-informed therapist and have a strong knowledge of trauma's neurologic and relational impacts. This means that I don’t believe that we make choices, decisions, or react based on something being wrong with us, but on our instinct to survive based on what has happened to us in our lived experiences. We cannot change what has happened to us, but we can change how it affects us.
