The Woman Behind the Words

Licensed Professional Counselor · Widow · Bereaved Mother · Author

I never planned to write about grief.

Then my husband died. And then my child.

In an instant, I became the person sitting in the chair on the other side. The one clutching tissues. The one wondering if the ache in my chest would ever stop. The one hearing well-meaning people say things that made it worse, not better.


I am Kirsten C. Lee — a Licensed Professional Counselor, a widow of twenty-five years, and a bereaved mother. I have worked in helping professions since 2016 — first as a case manager, then as a licensed counselor since 2020. I hold certifications as a Board-Certified Behavioral Health & Wellness Coach and a Peer Recovery Support Specialist.

I did not study grief in a classroom. I combined what I lived with what the literature confirmed — and found that the literature agreed with me.

But my credentials aren't what make me qualified to write these books. My life is.

In spite of all the degrees and certifications, I am still a person who grieves — just like everybody else.

I write at the intersection of grief, mental health, and Christian faith — not as an outside observer, but as someone who has lived every word. My work is honest without being hopeless. Clinical without being cold. Faith-forward without being preachy.

If you're here, you're probably hurting. I'm glad you found me. You're not alone.


Credentials

MBA — Master of Business Administration

MS — Master of Science

LPC — Licensed Professional Counselor (Oklahoma)

BHWC — Board-Certified Behavioral Health & Wellness Coach

PRSS — Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Licensed as LPC in 2020 | Helping professions experience since 2016


Speaking Topics

Grief & Loss: What the Textbooks Don’t Tell You

Faith and Mental Health: Finding God in the Dark

Complicated Grief: When Healing Stalls

Parenting Through Grief: Helping Children When You’re Hurting Too

The Resilient Griever: Moving Forward Without Moving On