#LetsTalkAboutHD with Vivian Foxx, MSW

My name is Vivian Foxx, MSW. I was the State Social Worker for Washington State. I graduated from the University of Washington School of Social Work with a Master of Social Work (MSW) and then earned my license to become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Being fully licensed enables me to provide independent and direct services to our HD community in Washington

I have over seven years of experience as a medical social worker. My areas of expertise include resource brokering, brief interventions, goals of care discussions, end of life planning and support group facilitation. I also have received expanded education and earned a Post-MSW Palliative Care Certification from The California State University.

I believe I can help the HD community and caregivers by offering supportive counseling for individuals, families, friends, caregivers, and providers, such as:

• Reviewing overall wellbeing, such as depression, anxiety, apathy, grief, and loss
• Providing resources for stress management, such as visualization, meditation, mindfulness and breathing exercises
• Exploring additional mental health support in the community
• Addressing communication challenges for individuals, families, friends, caregivers, and providers
• Offering education and advocacy, including advance care planning and talking with children
• Connecting with community agencies and services, such as support groups, home health, volunteer supports, and nutrition programs
• Linking to State and Federal resources and benefits, such as disability, respite, in-home care, and long-term placement

I initially learned about Huntington’s disease because a close family friend of mine had lived with HD. I take the role of the social worker for the state of Washington very seriously and this is what drives and encourages me. I want clients to feel empowered in every aspect of their lives and want them to have the best support in navigating life with HD.

My personal interests involve being active, including traveling, walks, and nature. My favorite quote is by Maya Angelou, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”