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Our Team
Kirsten and Christi met each other 15 years ago in a trauma supervision group. Since then, they have each gone on to open their own respective practices and become seasoned therapists with a mutual respect for each other and the trauma informed approach. Thrilled doesn’t begin to describe how they feel about partnering to bring you a combined 45 years of experience and expertise. The prospect of bringing their shared vision to life fills them with excitement, inspiration, and a deep sense of fulfillment. Envisioning the future of Integrated Trauma Trainings, their hope is to foster a vibrant community of learners, professionals, and change-makers who are equally passionate and committed to transforming the field of trauma care.
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Trauma and Attachment Therapist, Founder of Beautiful Creation Counseling and Community OutreachChristi is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Level 2 (CCTP-II), and founder of Beautiful Creation Counseling and Community Outreach. In private practice she works with individuals and families suffering from post traumatic stress symptoms and attachment wounds. She offers intensive trauma counseling, coaching, consulting, and community outreach services. Christi is elated to embark on this new journey as a founding member of Integrated Trauma Trainings alongside her friend and colleague, Kirsten Banks. She is thrilled by the possibilities that lie ahead and the potential for positive change they can create together through their shared vision.
Christi uses a trauma informed approach to advocate for healing and resilience in her community. Fueled by creativity and her own journey of healing from complex trauma, Christi brings an innovative and compassionate approach to her work. She developed the C.A.R.© framework to teach interpersonal neurobiology and work with those who have been impacted by trauma. Christi has worked in the mental health field for 20 years and specializes in treating complex and acute trauma, in individuals, as well as families and couples.
Christi earned her BA degree in Spanish and a minor in Business with a Certificate in Latin American Studies from the University of North Georgia (formerly NGCSU) in 2002. Following graduation, Christi accepted a position as an interpreter and parent aide providing in-home services for DFCS and DJJ . In 2005, she pursued her master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of North Georgia.
During her undergraduate studies Christi worked briefly at No One Alone, an organization in Dahlonega, GA that provides emergency shelter and a vast array of support services such as trauma counseling, legal advocacy, financial assistance, children’s groups and life skills classes. During Christi’s senior year of undergraduate school she completed a Study abroad program in Xela, Guatemala where she worked in a local orphanage supporting the women and children who lived there. After graduation from her undergraduate degree in 2002, Christi worked at Chestatee Counseling Center, where she served families and children in 13 counties in Northern Georgia. Working on a multi-disciplinary team, she collaborated with caseworkers, social workers, and other professionals involved in the lives of these families. Together, they developed comprehensive support plans that addressed the diverse needs of the children and families, aiming to create a nurturing and stable environment amidst the turmoil they experienced. Fueled by the profound impact of these early experiences, she recognized her calling in the field of mental health, setting her sights on pursuing a master's degree. As her graduate studies progressed, an exciting opportunity arose when she was offered a position at Brenau Academy as the school counselor. Immersed in the school environment, she had the privilege of supporting and guiding students through their challenges, providing a safe space for them to share their concerns and fostering their emotional well-being. Here she provided DBT groups and individual counseling services, as well as serving on the administrative team. In 2011, Christi accepted a position in private practice at Beyond Today Counseling Center. Within the supportive and collaborative atmosphere of this practice, she continued to grow both personally and professionally, obtaining full licensure under the wisdom and guidance of Kendra Gilbert. The time spent in this environment will forever hold a special place in her heart. It was a period of growth, learning, and inspiration that prepared her to open her own private practice with confidence and a deep appreciation for the transformative power of trauma-informed services. Following the birth of her youngest child, and after spending meaningful time at home with her children, she experienced a strong calling to embark on a new chapter in her career by opening Beautiful Creation Counseling and Community Outreach.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Michael (2018), Christi served the storm impacted community, offering staff training for a local church as well as intensive trauma counseling for storm victims. In 2020, she authored a trauma-informed children's book, Hope in the Storm. Her hope for the book, born from the inspiration she found in the community impacted by Hurricane Michael, was to offer a powerful tool for parents and caregivers to help children to explore and understand their own experiences of trauma. Locally, Christi leads a monthly outreach event, where mental health topics are taught from a Christian perspective.
Trained in modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Progressive Counting, FLASH, and ASSYST, Christi integrates parts work and various evidence-based theories, bringing a comprehensive attachment-based approach to trauma-informed care. With her diverse training and expertise, she possesses a wealth of therapeutic tools to support individuals on their healing journeys. Drawing from her extensive knowledge and experience, she has developed the C.A.R.© Framework, a research-informed, phase model approach to intensive trauma counseling. This approach recognizes the unique needs and complexities of individuals navigating the aftermath of complex trauma. By providing a structured and sequential framework, she guides clients through each phase of healing, fostering safety, empowerment, and growth. Her proven strategies have consistently delivered life-changing results for clients grappling with the effects of complex trauma. Through a combination of evidence-based interventions, tailored to each individual's unique needs, she helps clients uncover and process deep-rooted wounds, transforming their relationship with trauma and paving the way for lasting healing. At a recent training, Christi unveiled an adapted version of FLASH protocol using attachment-based principles with the goal of providing safe and effective treatment that can be widely employed to serve those who have been impacted by trauma. She and Kirsten plan to continue collaborative work on this endeavor and will soon be offering trainings.
With her diverse skill set, research-informed approach, and dedication to excellence, Christi stands ready to teach other clinicians how to guide clients through transformative healing experiences and inspire trauma-informed communities. Her adaptability, compassion, and expertise make her a trusted ally in the journey toward healing from complex trauma, empowering individuals and communities to move forward with strength and resilience.
Christi was born and raised in Cumming, Georgia and her family has deep roots in the North Georgia community at large. Christi has been married to her husband, Scott, for 16 years. They have 2 adventurous boys and love to spend time exploring nature and camping with friends.
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Therapist and Interventionist, Founder of Therapeutic Recovery Network
Kirsten is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), Board Registered Interventionist (CIP), founder of Integrated Trauma Trainings and Therapeutic Recovery Network. She is a Certified ARISE® Interventionist. In private practice she works with individuals and families suffering from complex substance use disorders and mental health issues. She offers counseling, intervention and consulting services for mental health and substance abuse issues. Kirsten is overjoyed to birth Integrated Trauma Trainings alongside, her friend and colleague, Christi Thompson. This collaboration brings together their shared passion for trauma-informed care, their complementary expertise, and their commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field of mental health.
Kirsten uses a network approach to facilitate the necessary services for each individual in the family. She has found that this collaborative approach is most effective and allows her to assess and develop a tailored plan for individuals and families to find their path to healing. Kirsten has worked in the addiction and behavioral health field for over 20 years and specializes in complex substance use disorders, mental health, codependency, trauma, as well as families, couples, and individuals struggling with addiction & mental health issues.
Kirsten earned her BA and BS degrees in Sociology and a minor in Rehabilitative Services in Women’s Studies from the University of Florida in 1998. She completed an internship with Boston University in London, England at a mental health residential treatment center for adolescents in 1997. In 2005, she earned her master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. In 2008 she became a fully Licensed Professional Counselor. During her undergraduate studies Kirsten completed internship at the Vocational Rehabilitation Department providing services to people with disabilities and she also worked at a local suicide and crisis hotline as a crisis counselor. During Kirsten’s junior/senior year of undergraduate school she completed Boston University’s Social Services Study abroad program in London, England where she worked as an adolescent counselor in a residential mental health treatment facility. After graduation from her undergraduate degree in 1998, Kirsten worked at The Village ISA, in Long Beach, CA., a mental health association agency providing integrated services to people with chronic mental illness. When Kirsten returned from working in California, she began working at Bobby Dodd Institute, LLC in Atlanta as Director of Employment Services managing a team and department providing services to people with mental health, physical disabilities, and barriers to work. Kirsten managed the team that helped the people with barriers to work obtain jobs in the community. Once Kirsten began her master’s degree in professional counseling, she completed her internship at North View Counseling & Recovery, LLC, a private practice in Cumming, GA. Here she provided group, individual, and family counseling services to adolescents and adults and became director of the adult addiction intensive outpatient program where she worked on and off for several years until she began her own private practice. In 2005, Kirsten worked as an assessment counselor in the intake department of Anchor Hospital, an inpatient addiction and psychiatric hospital. At the end of 2005, Kirsten began working with Jewish Family and Career Services for the Project Connect program in downtown Atlanta. Kirsten was the substance abuse specialist at Project Connect homeless services program providing individual and group counseling services to people with chronic mental illness and substance use disorder. In 2009, Kirsten began working at Crossroads Treatment Center, a medication management clinic for people with opiate addiction. At Crossroads, Kirsten gained knowledge and expertise in opiate addiction and learned more about Suboxone medication management treatments which has been vital knowledge for treating addiction today. In 2010, Kirsten began her own private practice in Cumming, GA.
In 2014, Kirsten was asked by one of the founding members to become one of the professional founders and developers of the Parent Recovery Network (PRN), an anonymous and free support group for parents of loved ones struggling with substance abuse issues or addictions of any kind. She provides professional facilitation for the PRN groups on an ongoing basis. In 2020, Kirsten and Parent Recovery Network were awarded the Catherine Caron “Heart of the Family” Award for the Caron Atlanta Annual Community Awards.
In 2014, Kirsten became a certified Progressive Counting trauma therapist. Since opening her private practice 2010, Kirsten has worked with individuals and families suffering from complex substance use disorders and mental health issues. This work led her to become a nationally certified interventionist. She holds two national certifications in interventions: Certified ARISE® Interventionist (CAI) and Certified Intervention Professional (CIP). Her certifications as an interventionist have expanded the depth of what she can do to help families find their loved ones the right help with more in-depth intervention processes and services. Kirsten's skills and experience have been developed from her extensive professional experience as well as her own personal recovery story.
Kirsten was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and spent her high school years in Delray Beach, Florida. Kirsten has now lived in the Atlanta area since 2004 and currently resides in Cumming, GA. She is happily married to her best friend and partner, Mr. Bob Banks. Kirsten loves to laugh and talk with her close friends and colleagues, exercise, spend time with her family and dog and enjoy down time outside in nature.