Vicky Hampton
What makes Vicky Wildly Capable?
She is a servant leader transforming our justice system and making a significant impact on OKC. Driven by a passion for justice, she approaches every encounter with kindness and compassion. She consistently shows up to serve her community with love, dignity, and integrity. She is a true civic and community leader, inspiring others through her dedication, honor, and unwavering focus on creating positive change. – RYAN BLACKWELL
What does your typical day look like?
As a licensed mental health therapist and alcohol and drug counselor, I see upwards of eight clients per day, discussing the hard things first responders do on a daily basis. The stories are tough as they share the horrible situations they incur every shift. I work with each one to help them process things the human brain is not meant to see and share tools they can use to help. Part of my day is also to guide our contracted therapists who also work with first responders. After hours I take care of the billing for both companies, make phone calls, schedule appointments, and follow up with daily notes.
What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?
It is hard to say what was the biggest obstacle in my life. I try to find the positive in any struggle, challenge, or obstacle. My younger sister’s passing was difficult to understand. We older children always believe we go next after our parents, and that was not the case with her. Losing her to breast cancer created a void in my life. I lost my best friend. It’s especially difficult each fall as we spent a lot of the fall traveling and being outdoors.
Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
My dad modeled a strong work ethic and did right by people. He rarely said no to anyone who needed help. He showed me that I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to. I was the first in his family to graduate college, and at 43-years-old, I went back to achieve a master’s degree in counseling. My dad died early at the age of 53, and unfortunately he did not get to meet his grandchildren or see the work I do as a therapist. He didn’t know the values he instilled in me or how I now show up in the world.
What’s the single biggest problem you’d like to solve in your community?
The biggest problem I see is betrayal trauma. Not only do first responders see horrible things daily, but they also experience betrayal trauma from their communities, their workplaces, and at times from their own families. Betrayal trauma occurs when a person is harmed by someone or an agency they trust and depend on for support or survival.
What advice do you wish you could give your younger self? How might it have changed your course?
All the experiences I have had in my life shaped who I am now. Thankfully with a good value system, I am showing up in the world as who I want to be. My younger struggles, challenges, and accomplishments built me into a therapist who deeply cares, who is accepting and who does not mind a challenge.
