I have had a life-changing experience that has proven the power of perseverance
and the value of my faith, my family, and my friends.
I have also had professional training in the field of mental health counseling.
When paired together, these two factors leave me uniquely equipped
to spread my message and my spirit of hope. . 

As an inspirational speaker and a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC), 
I am honored to be sharing this very spirit of hope with others.

For almost twenty-five years now, I have been married to an amazing -- smart, curious, ambitious, caring, loyal, and supportive -- man. 
My husband Brook is one of a kind. He may not be perfect, but he is (without question) perfect for me.
Brook is my biggest cheerleader, he has a fabulous sense of humor,
and he has the best laugh on the planet.

We have had a blast, and we have laughed a lot. But we have also faced a whole lot of adversity.. 
Career changes and parenting are tough on every marriage. But we have also survived seven pregnancies,
three of which ended in miscarriage, and one resulting in twins. Brook supported me through a fight with stage three, metastasizing melanoma as well. All of those things tested us, but then…

I was struck by a catastrophic illness called sepsis struck. Miraculously, I survived; but I also

suffered multiple amputations.that
have forced some role reversals (to say the least) and many, many

compromises. 
But our love is grand, our commitment is great, and our kids are routinely grossed out
and embarrassed by the hugging, kissing and dancing that goes on in the kitchen. I

Whenever I used to play the board game "Life" with my kids, I would change the rules a bit. In my version, 
whoever got the most kids in their little car was the winner!
I consider my real life to be a "win." 

I have five beautiful, healthy children, ages 11-21. I even landed on the space for twin girls!  
Ben (now 21), Caroline (now 18, Lauren and Maizie (now 16), and Jeannie (11 are caring, fun, and surprisingly different from one another.
They each have their own talents and interests, which leaves two harried and haggard Uber drivers (aka parents).
So far, we’ve produced a musician, an actress, a marching floutist, a soccer player, and a gymnast.
And that’s just carpool for after school on Tuesdays!

Oftentimes, when I am meeting people for the first time, they will be rather unimpressed by my physical challenges,
but absolutely blown away when I confess that I have five kids.
That’s when they gasp and exclaiim, “My you have your hands full!”
That’s when I quickly shoot back with “Yes, if only I had hands!”

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My family is the brightest light in my life as well as my biggest incentive to become the best person I can be.

Believe it or not, there is a large and loyal group of amputees here in Charlotte.
When I was hospitalized and preparing for my amputation surgery, I had several visits from members of this community. 
These men and women of all ages came of their own volition. At a time when I was physically suffering, uncertain of my future, and straight-up ignorant about amputations; they gave me education, support, encouragement, and, most of all, hope.

Each of them walked into my room looking so "normal." One would never have guessed they were missing
a limb or two, or three, or four. I was amazed. And relieved.  
They brought with them the possibility that I could someday enjoy a fully-functioning life again.

Little did I know that our friendships would grow exponentially with time.
My amputee friends have become my family.
Through special training and certification, I have become an "AMPOWER Peer Visitor" myself.  
Walking through the experience with new amputees is helping me give back,
and now I am proud to call myself an amputee.

If you or someone you know is an amputee who could use some encouragement, please send them my way. It would be my honor and privilege to visit with them (in person or virtually.)

Since 2004, I’ve been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) (now called LCMHC, (which is an abbreviation for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor) in the state of North Carolina as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I have a private practice in Matthews, North Carolina, where I see individuals, couples, and families from adolescence to adulthood -- at all the different stages and transitions in between. I believe we are all on a journey of becoming our best selves, and most of us could use a little professional help along the way. I'm passionate about helping my clients define where they'd like to go; and, together, we devise the best ways to get there.

Counseling is primarily about change, and I see clients who would like to make all types of changes. However, my specialties lie in the following areas:  couples/marriage counseling, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, infertility/pregnancy loss, post-partum

depression, trauma, chronic pain/illness,

and career counseling.

For more information about seeing Kristan as a counselor, click here.

 I have quite a story to tell. I am an inspirational and motivational speaker, writer and blogger. I love to share the lessons
I have learned from my unique life experiences, in hopes of helping people learn what I’ve learned,—without having to personally endure sepsis and amputations like I have.
 
Whether you need a keynote speaker for a large corporate event, a religious organization (I LOVE Christian Women's events and retreats!), a university convocation, or a small team-building retreat,
I can mold my speech into a message that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations. 
 

To inquire about having me at your event, contact me here.