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Kirsten Banks, MA, LPC, CPCS, CAI, CIP
Founder & Clinical Director | Therapist & Interventionist
Kirsten is passionate about helping individuals and families find hope, healing, and a path forward. With over 25 years of experience in the mental health and addiction field, she is known for her ability to quickly understand what people truly need and guide them toward meaningful, lasting change.
More about Kirsten
Her work is centered on whole-family healing supporting not just the individual who is struggling, but the entire family system. Whether through intervention services, trauma therapy, or family consulting, Kirsten combines deep clinical expertise with compassion, clarity, and care.
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As a Certified ARISE® Interventionist (CAI) and Certified Intervention Professional (CIP) Kirsten walks families through some of the most difficult and high-stakes moments. She provides structure and guidance from the very first phone call through treatment placement, follow-up, and ongoing recovery support.
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As a therapist, Kirsten offers individual, couples, family, and trauma therapy. She is trained and certified in a range of trauma healing modalities, including:
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for teens and adults to address trauma and its lasting effects.
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples to help partners strengthen their connection and rebuild trust.
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Certified in Progressive Counting, an evidence-based trauma resolution method.
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Trained in the Flash Technique for trauma first aid.
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Polyvagal-informed trauma therapy modalities, supporting nervous system regulation and safety.
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In addition to her direct client work, Kirsten is the Clinical Director of her group practice, where she carefully matches clients with the right therapist on her team and ensures that every person receives personalized, trauma-informed care. As a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), she also provides clinical supervision to associate-level therapists and interns working toward licensure in Georgia, helping them grow with confidence and integrity.
Background & Training
Kirsten began her career in 1998 at a community mental health agency in Long Beach, California, supporting individuals with chronic mental illness through wraparound services. Over the years, she has worked in nearly every level of care from outpatient counseling to inpatient hospital treatment and has helped hundreds of individuals and families during some of their hardest seasons of life.
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She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Rehabilitative Services from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. She has completed extensive training in trauma therapies, family systems, and intervention best practices, integrating both evidence-based methods and compassionate care.
Community Involvement
Kirsten is not only committed to her clients but also to her community. She has volunteered in the recovery community for over 20 years, serves as a youth ministry volunteer at her local church, and partners with East Forsyth High School and The Place of Forsyth to provide mental health support. She is also an active member of several professional associations, including the Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS) and the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCAGA).
Areas of Specialty
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Family Consulting & Intervention Services (Certified ARISE® Interventionist, Certified Intervention Professional, Nationally Certified Interventionist)
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Trauma Therapy & Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for Teens and Adults
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples
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Progressive Counting & Flash Technique for Trauma First Aid
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Polyvagal-Informed Trauma Therapy Modalities
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Complex Substance Use Disorders
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Recovery-Oriented Treatment Planning
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Clinical Supervision & Professional Development (Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor – CPCS)
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Holistic, Systems-Based Family Healing
