"When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending." -Brené Brown.

Believing these words, I create a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate space for adult individuals, couples and families to own and process their stories, while finding meaning, healing and growth. We are dynamic people, capable of change and restoration, and it is an honor to facilitate and walk with a person through this process. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, addiction, chronic illness, marital concerns, trauma, anger management, international adjustments and transitions, infertility and adoption.

In my therapeutic approach, emotional honesty is key in owning our stories and in being able to verbalize the impact of our family histories. Learning to accept how we feel helps us own our failures and mistakes. As your therapist, I will hold space, empowering you to make courageous decisions towards hope/healing/change.

I attended Taylor University in Indiana where I received my BA in Psychology and International Studies, after which I received my MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, GA. I grew up in North Africa and Western Europe in a multi-cultural family.

Kristina desires to join with others in their path to greater healing and wellness. She specializes with Maternal Mental Health (infertility, pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum,) trauma, attachment disorders, anxiety, and depression. Her therapeutic approach is person-centered, working with the client to establish feeling seen, understood, and supported within the therapy relationship first and foremost. Kristina often includes approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing,) IFS (Internal Family Systems)/ego-state work, narrative therapy, education to facilitate a better understand how your brain and body process stress, and body-based approaches based upon training as a Trauma Conscious Yoga Instructor. She also has thorough training and experience with integrating the Christian Faith in the counseling process.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision and am an ACS approved supervisor. I am the Assistant Dean of the School of Counseling at Richmont Graduate University. I am a CSAT and work extensively with sexual identity issues, sexual addiction issues, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. I specialize in working with men within the LGBTQ+ community, men in mixed orientation marriages, and men who experienced childhood sexual abuse.

My approach to therapy revolves around putting my clients at the center of the process. This means tailoring treatment to suit your specific needs and preferences. It could involve processing through deep-rooted issues, equipping you with coping mechanisms and practical skills, or even collaboration to problem solve. For me, being a therapist is a profound privilege to walk alongside my clients on their journey towards self-discovery and growth. I see each client as an individual with unique experiences, challenges, and aspirations. My role is to support you in realizing your vision for yourself and help navigate through whatever obstacles you may encounter along the way.

Are you a high achiever who is great at getting things done, but not great at connecting with your feelings? Or maybe you're struggling with your relationship. You're committed to your spouse, but you realize you've got a wall up and you're not sure how to bring it down. I enjoy helping high achievers work to reduce anxiety and perfectionism, and deepen connections with the people they love. I am a licensed counselor in the states of GA and FL, and am a CPCS in the state of GA which qualifies me to supervise other counselors. I am trained in Gottman Method for couples (through level 3) and additionally trained in helping couples recover from affairs. I am also certified in EMDR, a trauma therapy, ERP, DBT and more. My clients know me as someone who will help them take a nonjudgmental approach to their situation, connect with deep needs that they have long ignored, and work to strengthen emotional connections in their lives.

Our journey through life can be challenging at times. We often allow our past, present, and even future circumstances to prevent us from optimizing our journey. Whether you are a mother juggling multiple roles, a spouse feeling unappreciated, a young adult figuring out life, or a child/teen whose parents don't understand, I will work with you to identify your needs, create goals, and help you conquer emotional and behavioral challenges that arise at each stage of your journey. I provide a non-judgemental therapeutic atmosphere of confidentiality, respect, collaboration, empowerment, and healing so that we can create your desired outcomes. I believe you are worthy and capable of living the life you envision, so let's take this journey together.

I have worked in the mental health field for 10 years. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, geriatrics, and military service members. I have a vast array of skill sets and the ability to exhibit compassion and empathy with analytical thinking skills and positive rapport building. I have a background in providing services to individuals experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, child and adolescent behavioral concerns, parenting needs, family conflict, marital and relationship conflict, addiction, risk assessments, and domestic & sexual violence.

I specialize in treating trauma, depression, anxiety, family and couple conflict, daily stressors, and mindfulness techniques. I incorporate evidence-based clinical interventions from a systemic perspective. My therapeutic approach fosters a warm, down-to-earth style in which clinical interventions will be tailored to your specific needs. 

I have been supporting parents in every job or role I’ve had in adulthood whether I knew it at the time or not. My clinical work began working with teenagers in the inpatient setting. I noticed that there would be times where patients would become stable while in the hospital and then we would discharge them, only for them to return a short time later. I realized we needed to be working with the family as a whole. Then I began working with younger children, thinking if I intercepted my clients at a younger age, I could potentially prevent the struggles I saw on the inpatient unit. I slowly worked my way down in age, working in the infant and early childhood realm in mental health care. One day, I had a lightbulb moment. I noticed a trend in all of these settings: the most important and impactful work is done with parents. Most mental health difficulties in children (and even many adults!) can be traced back to early childhood. Those experiences either tend to help or hinder our roles as parents.

Hi! I'm Kearsten and I am so glad you have landed on my page. I care deeply about each of my clients flourishing. At times, experiences with life can keep us from that- maybe it's anxiety, complicated family dynamics, or life just simply not looking the way you would hoped it would. While therapy with me (or anyone) does not immediately take the pain away, I am here to help you navigate it, finding healing and joy along the way.

My approach with clients is one of compassion and collaboration. I will work as hard as you, helping you cultivate the change you wish to see, all from a place of empathy, authenticity, and hope.

Samantha earned her Master of Health Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Catawba College. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor through the NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (#17770) and a Licensed Professional Counselor through the SC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (#10262). Samantha is also a Certified Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, a Nationally Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Certified Addictions-Informed Mental Health Provider, a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Professional, and a Registered Child Forensic Interviewer. Additionally, Samantha is trained in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing.

Samantha has had the opportunity to work with patients with a variety of mental health concerns in school-based, college mental health, and outpatient settings. Her clinical focus is on severe and persistent mental health concerns, with a concentration on mood disorders. Samantha utilizes an integrative approach, combining Cognitive Behavioral, Interpersonal, and Psychoanalytic techniques. Therefore, during sessions, she commonly assists in identifying and challenging self-limiting patterns, healing from past experiences, and gaining insight into how the unconscious influences behavior. Her research interests include the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system, the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, and genetic links between schizophrenia and associated comorbid conditions.