Vicki Neal, LISW

Vicki Neal is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) based in Ohio who helps people facing anxiety, depression, grief, and major life changes. She uses a warm, interactive style to guide people through decisions and hard moments. Her work also includes support for people navigating relationship stress, parenting strain, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

Vicki emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion in sessions. She centers each visit on the client’s priorities and avoids telling people what they must do. Instead she helps them weigh options and choose steps that feel manageable.

Her background includes work across a range of concerns such as trauma, emotional abuse, isolation, and issues affecting the LGBT community. Vicki notes the effects of historical and current social stressors when working with marginalized groups. She also has focused experience with aging and geriatric issues and caregiver stress.

Vicki blends practical methods in session. She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to notice and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. She uses client-centered and motivational methods to support goal setting and action that fits each person’s life.

People who meet with Vicki can expect a plan made for their needs and short-term steps to try between sessions. She encourages steady progress and helps adjust the plan when life gets in the way. If someone is ready to make a change, she offers collaborative support and coaching.

Approaches used and how online therapy can help

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without letting them drive behavior. It encourages picking values and taking small steps in line with what matters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify patterns of thinking that contribute to distress and teaches practical strategies to test and change those patterns. Both approaches are useful for anxiety, depression, grief, and coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Vicki will talk with each person about their needs and goals, and together decide which methods to try first. That collaborative process means plans can change as progress is made or life circumstances shift.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm which session formats she currently offers before booking. Online options can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people use techniques like mindfulness practices or behavioral homework between sessions, helping skills transfer into everyday life.