Vicki Marcum

Vicki Marcum is an Illinois-licensed clinical social worker with two master’s degrees - one in Community Health and one in Social Work - and more than 40 years of clinical experience. She holds Illinois clinical social work licensure (LCSW), a credential that authorizes her to provide clinical therapy (IL LCSW 149008067).

She is a registered play therapy supervisor with extensive training in applying play therapy across the lifespan, and she has completed clinical training and certification in EMDR. Her career spans a wide range of clinical settings, including inpatient psychiatric care and outpatient community mental health. In community mental health she has worked in emergency and crisis intervention services, served as a Qualified Examiner, and provided services in outpatient day treatment and extended day treatment programs for adults with chronic mental illness.

Ms. Marcum’s background also includes case management with adults, children, and families, addressing parenting, developmental growth, and behavioral concerns. She has worked in in-home programs and maintained a private practice, offering services in emergency rooms, schools, churches, social service agencies, and other community settings. She has provided individual, family, and group therapy for people of all ages, from birth through older adulthood, including work within the child welfare system.

Her clinical approach begins with a client-centered stance to build trust, then adapts to the theoretical methods that best address the treatment goals and suit each person’s personality and understanding. She is compassionate, supportive, and attentive, yet willing to challenge unhelpful beliefs when the moment is right. She does not “fix” people or dictate choices; clients remain in charge of their treatment while she helps them explore options and find their own path. Sessions may include moments of laughter, tears, and honest disagreement, with the aim of helping clients feel better.

Her specialties include stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, depression, relationship and family conflicts, intimacy-related concerns, eating disorders, anger management, self-esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and ADHD.