ACCOLADES:
As a social worker and therapist, I have a considerable amount of ethical guidelines to follow that I take VERY seriously —one of which is taking accolades from vulnerable patients. However, after two years of not working at Healthy Living Home Health and having the client sign a release form, I can post accolades and photos. Those who want to remain anonymous had the option to do so by me leaving their name off the accolade.
It truly is amazing how many patients I have assisted in my four years of home health medical social work. It is a great honor to work with these wonderful people, many of whom are suffering with a diversity of complex problems.
“Victoria, you were an angel in a time of great need. I am a veteran who served in Vietnam. I am a double amputee. The VA transitioned me to senior housing in Central Point, but it was independent living and I needed more support. I am so grateful for all that you did for me. You helped me get my wheelchair fixed with the Veterans administration. You also helped me get transportation services in addition to a caregiver and cell phone. You provided a lot of emotional support to me in a time of crisis. I had money stolen from my savings account you called adult protective services right away. You also advocated for me with senior services as they denied my application for in-home care services. You insisted that they come out and reevaluate me as I declined in my mental status and physical health. I also had my money stolen from a good friend of mine, which was totally devastating for me. “
“Victoria came in to my life at a really dark and difficult time of transition. I had an injury on the job and was not able to work anymore. I live alone and suffer from severe anxiety. I was experiencing multiple life stressors and she not only helped with emotional support for my anxiety, but also advocated for me with Social Security Disability. She provided a psychological evaluation, which helped push my Disability application thru in a timely manor. I experienced multiple trauma’s in my life and she was so kind and patient with me. She went the extra mile at a time when I felt totally isolated and alone. She also helped me get access to numerous community resources that I did not even know about. She helped me apply for vocational rehabilitation and low-income housing. She also helped me apply for program with RVCOG that enabled me to get a caregiver to assist with house cleaning and errands. ”
“I can’t thank you enough for helping my mother get qualified for Medicaid in-home care services. It was a long process, but you guided us every step of the way and even attended the evaluation with senior services. You were very informative and followed through with your promises. You were very kind to my mother who was feeling scared and isolated. She now has caregivers and her mood has improved drastically.”
“I am so grateful to have Victoria assist me with end-of-life counseling. My quality of life has been really bad, as I have chronic pain and a serious disease. I am suffering from numerous physical ailments, as well as depression and anxiety. Victoria’s approach is gentle and compassionate. She took time to get to know me and I felt safe doing an end of life review with her. There were many tears shed and she was so sweet. I just adore her. She helped me transition from Independant Living to the Hospice House, as I don’t have any family to care for me at the end of life.”
Words can’t express how grateful I am for your help Victoria. My father has severe dementia and is not able to live alone anymore. However, he was not willing to move to Salem to liver closer to me. You not only educated me about the guardianship process, you made a referral to Non-profit Legal Services, but also provided much needed emotional support to me at a difficult time in my life. You also educated me about communication tips for family members and caregiver with dementia. The book you recommended was very helpful, as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
Personal and Professional References:
I write this reference letter because I have known Victoria Christensen for at least ten years, and I can enthusiastically describe several aspects of her character that would be an asset to any work environment.
In my opinion, Ms. Christensen has the ability to contribute thoughtful, well-considered perspectives about psychological and sociological matters to any educational or therapeutic environment. Her extensive education in Sociology and Social work is well rounded and it is clear she knows the subjects well based on her academic performance, not to mention her list of honors, publications, and speaking engagements. She has the ability to research issues, which she is less familiar and knows the limitations of her knowledge and of research. She is well spoken, personable, reliable, organized, and has excellent intuition about people, ethics, psychological and social functioning. She understands the benefits of boundaries in professional practice and she knows her limitations and strengths.
In my opinion, Ms. Christensen would be a valuable, energetic member of any professional team of educators or therapists. If you have any questions about Ms. Christensen please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Fredric Berger LCSW
(541) 261-6116
To Whom It May Concern,
For the past five years I have known Victoria in both professional and personal settings. Over that time, I have developed respect and admiration for the depth and variety of her skills and how she applies them in the world. I know her to have excelled in a diversity of fields, such as sociology, social work, writing, art, public speaking and counseling. She has also excelled academically, as her two masters degree honors attest, and now she is ready to return that excellence to others in whatever field she chooses to work.
What stands out the most about Victoria is her dedication and passion for social justice as well as her compassion for others, particularly those who have been marginalized and oppressed. She is such an inspiration to be around. Not only is she committed to her personal and spiritual growth, she is also open to doing critical self-evaluation in her role as a social worker, counselor and/or teacher.
I strongly believe that Victoria’s passion for truth is what has enabled her to harness the wisdom that she possesses. Far from pretentious, Victoria is personable, sincere, nonjudgmental, and loving. And while her life experiences have been challenging, she has continued to educate herself and make healthy choices that have liberated her mind, body, heart and soul. It is her desire to help others rise to their highest capabilities and maximum health, yet she also accepts and understands the trauma and difficult life circumstances people have endured that have made their lives less than optimal. She has a complex understanding of the multitude of factors that influence a person’s self-development and opportunities for success.
I have been amazed by Victoria’s dedication and tenacity to harness the tools she needs in order to work in the social work and counseling profession, education, and social policy. She is intelligent, warm and open to learning and collaborating with other professionals. She has excellent interpersonal skills and genuinely listens to others with an empathetic heart.
Her dedication to writing and editing her first book, Feminine Mysticism in Art: Artists Envisioning the Divine, is a testament to her tenacity, as it took ten years to complete. And her passion and love for art and spirituality have resulted in a beautiful portfolio of art which graces the walls and alters of many people. Her ability to use art as a therapeutic modality is one of her strengths.
Victoria has worked in various professional settings, such as medical social work, independent publisher, writer and artist, sociology instructor at a community college, and geriatric case manager. She has published numerous articles and produced animated DVDs of art. It is clear that her diverse professional experience and education qualify her for a number of jobs. I am confident that she will be an asset to any work environment and has a number of gifts to bestow on her clients or students.
Sincerely,
Aluma K. Motenko M.S.W., Ph.D
Retired Professor of Social Work
Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts
I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation in behalf of Ms. Victoria Christensen.
Victoria finished her MA in Applied Sociology Program here at NAU in 2001. She was a bright a dedicated student who finished the two-year program on time and among the top tier of her cohort. She was also active in research and professional presentations while she was engaged in our program.
I have kept in touch with her over the years as she pursued artistic endeavors in painting and writing, as well as involving in social service related activities. I am also happy to see her finish a MSW degree from Portland State University during the current semester.
Victoria Christensen is a clear communicator and dedicated to her work. She cares for the success of her clients and students. While she was a GA in our graduate program and taught and carried out research, as the department chair at that time I had access to her evaluation forms conducted by the faculty. Her professors and GA supervisors uniformly ranked her as an exceptional student and I am sure that she continues the same dedication to excellence in her current studies and work experiences.
Having known her over the past fifteen years, I feel that I am in a good position to ascertain her capabilities as a professional and her work ethics and ability to work others well. I have no doubt that she would be an asset to any organization that offers her the opportunity to show her exceptional skills. She would be a wonderful colleague and a great team member.
In sum, I highly recommend her to you.
Sincerely,
Kooors M. Mahmoudi, PhD
Professor of Sociology and Graduate Program Coordinator
