About Vicky
I am Vicky Vail,
daughter and granddaughter of people who lived close to the land. My recent family consists of foresters, a silver miner, farmers, sheepherders, and home makers. My ancestors are most recently from Germany, Scotland, and England.
I identify as Hard of Hearing and grew up with English as my dominant language. As an adult, I am learning ASL and uncovering multiple layers of what it means to be Hard of Hearing. The first ancestral guide I connected with was Deaf, a revelation for me as I was born to hearing parents who had minimal knowledge of Deaf culture. I am not fluent in ASL, but I do connect with sign language in heart-full ways as I continue to grow in proficiency. When I’m with users of ASL, I tend to sim-com (speak and sign at the same time).
I currently split my time between the traditional lands of the Shoshone and Bannock (Boise, Idaho, USA) and the traditional lands of the Ute and Arapahoe (Boulder, Colorado, USA).
How I Work as a Practitioner
I weave together my education in mental health counseling, grief and loss, psychic/mediumship, shamanic healing arts, and ancestral lineage repair to create healing sessions for my clients. My approach is warm, intuitive, and heart-centered. My focus is on supporting clients as they establish boundaries, connect with wise ancestors, and build relationships with them. Because of my experiences as a twin, I am especially oriented towards attachment.
I have journeyed with Grief in multiple ways. I honor Grief as an elder, for it has been the pathway for me to return to my own heart. We grieve what we truly loved. If you are grieving the death of a loved one, a divorce or separation, the end of a job or life stage, earth / cultural disconnection, or not receiving what you needed, it would be an honor to hold space for all of you to arrive just as you are.
I practice cultural humility and awareness of how my social locations influence my life and work. I welcome people of all gender identities, sexual orientations, races, and ethnicities.
I adhere to the Ancestral Medicine Practitioner Code of Ethics.
Education and Training
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling: Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology (Naropa University)
Ancestral Lineage Healing Practitioner Training (Dr. Daniel Foor, Ancestral Medicine)
Grief, Loss, and Trauma-Informed Support (Shauna Janz)
Shamanic Healing Arts: Soul Retrieval, Extraction, Psychopomp, Healing with Spiritual Light; Partnering with The Plantcestors (Rachel Weitz)
Ongoing mentorship (Lisa Tenney)