KLF Counseling and Consulting, PA        

About  Kathy L. Fortner, Ed.S., LPC, NCC

Kathy L. Fortner, Ed.S., LPC, NCC is a Nationally Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor with both a Master's Degree (MA) in Counseling from WV Graduate College and an Ed. S. Degree in Counseling from Marshall University Graduate College.  She taught in the Marshall University Graduate College Counseling Department as a Adjunct Faculty member with specializations in Psychopharmacology, Human Appraisal, and Integrated Model of Mental Health and Medical care.

She is a member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA); American Mental Health Counselors Association of South Carolina (AMHCA-SC) serving as their Secretary and Public Relations Liaison; National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); and International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). She voluntarily serves on the Horry County CISM team associated with the Horry County Fire and Rescue professionals.

Before moving to South Carolina, Ms. Fortner had a private practice in WV, and also served on the WV Licensed Professional Counselors Board as Board Member at Large and Editor of the organization's newsletter, the Courier.

About The Practice . . .

 Life can provide events or circumstances that may prove to be overwhelming in the everyday lives of individuals and their families.  Issues that may be addressed or particular needs for consultation with KLF Counseling and Consulting, PA or the independent counseling practice professionals could be:

• Parenting, family, and school related issues
• Transitions in life

• Individual crisis and/or stress

• Loss and grief due to death, relationship changes, job change, or changes in health status
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Children or adolescent concerns, including career assessment
• Prevention and Wellness Counseling
• Conflict Resolution
• Team Building
• Assessment for mental health disorders
• Smoking Cessation
• Caregivers Stress
• Parenting Group Education Experiences
• Couple or Family Relationship Issues
• College Adjustment Concerns

 When situations arise, such as those listed above, the result may be the need for professional mental health mental health or specialized educational services.  Research has demonstrated, in many circumstances, chemical imbalances and/or certain medical conditions, can result in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, or other mental health concerns.  Medication, when indicated, in a combination with therapy, has been documented to possibly create a more positive result benefiting the patient/client.  Medical/mental health counseling and patient education have historically shown to provide increased potential through providing assistance and promoting improvement in the patient's outcome, particularly with depression, anxiety, and other known disorders.  Prevention and education services can also provide much needed information and support to patients, caregivers, and their families when there is need for critical decisions need to be made, an informed decision.

Having services provided by professionally licensed, nationally board certified mental health professionals and/or patient education specialists, ensure a private, confidential environment meeting client/patient/family needs.  Our practice emphasizes a team approach to providing mental health services for maximum benefit to the individuals we serve in our area.