Kirsten Probst-Santha, LCSW - Therapist in North Carolina

About Kirsten

Kirsten Probst-Santha is a licensed social work therapist who focuses on family and parenting concerns. She speaks plainly and listens closely to make sure parents and caregivers feel understood. Kirsten emphasizes practical skills that help people manage stress, anxiety, and relationship strain.

She aims to help families find steadier footing during big changes and emotional difficulty. Kirsten uses a trauma-informed, client-centered style in sessions. That means she centers each person’s goals and adjusts her approach to fit their situation.

Background and approach

She often teaches emotional regulation and coping techniques so clients have tools to use between sessions. She also works on communication habits that ease conflict and improve family interactions. Her background includes work in school, residential, and community-based settings.

Over four years she has supported issues like depression, bipolar disorder, grief, and compassion fatigue. Kirsten also addresses concerns such as adoption and foster care, blended family issues, fertility and caregiver stress, and immigration-related challenges. She blends practical therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy with Emotionally-Focused and Dialectical strategies when appropriate.

Sessions tend to be collaborative and straightforward, focusing on steps clients can try right away. Kirsten holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential - LCSW - and practices in North Carolina. Her approach is warm and direct.

Parents and families who want clear tools and a respectful, nonjudgmental space often find this style helpful. She works in English and can meet with international clients online.

Approaches that translate well to online family care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and tailoring sessions to what matters most to the client. It helps parents and caregivers feel heard and guides the work around their priorities rather than a fixed agenda.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It teaches concrete skills to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change unhelpful patterns that affect family life.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, offers practical tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. These skills can reduce conflict and improve stability during stressful family transitions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and suggest methods that fit those needs. Clients and the therapist adjust the plan as progress is made so the work stays relevant and useful.

Online sessions use video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. That variety helps busy families fit sessions into their routines and continue work between meetings. The mix of approaches and formats aims to make therapy usable and practical for everyday family life.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Kirsten address?

She supports a wide range of concerns including parenting, stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Additional focuses include adoption and foster care, blended families, fertility and caregiver stress, and immigration issues.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She uses a trauma-informed, client-centered approach that is collaborative and practical. Techniques often include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and Solution-Focused methods to build skills and improve coping.

How long has she been practicing?

Kirsten has four years of experience working across school, residential, and community-based settings. That experience informs her work with parents and families during transitions and crises.

Where is she licensed to practice?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - with licenses in North Carolina and Illinois listed as NC LCSW C019766 and IL LCSW 149.016911. She practices from North Carolina.

What languages are supported and can she work internationally?

Sessions are offered in English and she does accept international clients.

Which session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 4 years
Licensed: Illinois, North Carolina
Languages: English

Next step

Talk to Kirsten

Takes a few minutes
Nothing to set up just to look
Stop at any point

Book with Kirsten