I’m KristieFor three decades I've navigated hard transitions, raised a child with special needs, walked through grief, and rebuilt after life fell apart in ways I never saw coming.
My path to counseling wasn't a straight line — it wound through hospitals, refugee centers, classrooms, and continents.
My background began in Recreational Therapy and grew into a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Christian Marriage, Family, and Individual Counseling. But what shapes how I sit with you isn't the degrees — it's having lived through hard seasons of my own.
Every step taught me the same thing: no one heals alone.
MY THOUGHTS ON THERAPY
Counseling should be a place where you don't have to pretend or perform.
I want to make space for the messy, honest,
complicated truth of being human.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
EDUCATION
M.A., Christian Marriage, Family & Individual Counseling
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina
GRADUATED 2026
Master of Divinity
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Fort Worth, Texas
GRADUATED 2000
B.S., Therapeutic Recreation
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma
GRADUATED 1993
EXPERIENCE
Missionary, International Mission Board
(2001–2008, 2010–2026)
More than two decades of grief care, emotional support, and community-building across Russia and Canada.
Refugee Support Coordinator, World Relief
(1997–2000)
Holistic care for refugee families navigating healthcare and resettlement.
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, UT Medical Branch
(1992–1995)
Therapeutic programs for children in psychiatric crisis.
MY THOUGHTS ON LIFE
In every season and role, I see my life as a story God is still writing — one that keeps shaping my purpose and calling.
THE FUN STUFF
A FEW THINGS ABOUT ME
I LOVE WATER
Watermelon, water aerobics, water slides, the lake, the beach, the pool, cold plunge, or hot tub.
AFRAID OF
Bugs.
EDUCATION
Degrees in Leisure, Theology, and Therapy. Apparently I like studying people, purpose, and fun.
THIS OR THAT
Early bird · Beach · Coffee · Extrovert · Plants · Movies · Texting · Window seat.
ON MY SHELF
Theo of Golden, Try Softer, and Maybe You Should Talk to Someone.
FAVORITE TRADITION
Advent. Not because I love waiting, but for the anticipation — the belief that something good is coming even when you can't see it yet. It's a lot like therapy.
EXPERT SKILL
Packing weeks of clothes into a budget-airline personal item.
IF I HAD A TIME MACHINE
Any day with my mom.
PROUD MOMENT
I built this entire website myself. Zero experience, no clue about CSS — just a lot of love, research, and stubbornness. (Kind of like my approach to life, learning, and therapy.)
LESSON I’VE LEARNED
Starting over is hard. It's also possible.
