About Kathy L. Fortner
I am Kathy Fortner, a Board Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Life Coach, and Tele-Health Clinician. My mental health professional work experiences, for the past 25 years, has had focus areas in settings, such as clinical private practice, integrated primary care, university, and public school counseling, and consultant in various private and federal programs. In addition to clinical services, work in the areas of life coaching, consulting, and teaching has added additional depth and breath to my professional education, experience, and training.
I am a resident of Myrtle Beach, SC, having a virtual counseling practice providing services to clients, who have Employee Assistance Plans, as a free employee benefit through their employer. My clients also include individuals seeking life or executive coaching to set their goals and make positive personal or professional change. Consultation Services include working with, and advising, professionals in the mental health and medical professions with focus on practice management, staff concerns, and personal growth.
My educational and professional background include both a MA Degree in Counseling with a focus on counseling individuals, couples, and families in clinical and educational settings, and an EdS Degree in Counseling with focus on Integrated Medical and Mental Health Counseling. Both degrees were awarded from Marshall University in WV. My undergraduate degree awarded from West Virginia University is a BS Degree in Biological and General Sciences. I am Board certified in Clinical Counseling (CCMHC), Life Coaching (BCC), and Tele-Health (BC-TMH).
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My Story
I am often asked reasons for my choosing to having become a clinical mental health counselor, life coach, and consultant. Many years ago, interest in counseling developed when volunteering, in my native state, at an after school program for disadvantaged youth. Elementary students, through an all volunteer staff, faith community members, provided quality experiences with tutoring, creative activities, and access to a clinical counselor, who volunteered services for these at risk students. Parents, who were unable to bring their children, due to work schedules or lack of transportation, could sign their children up for free transportation with between school and faith community center. Services were provided by the county free of charge. So many young people, and their parents, were positively impacted coming from challenging backgrounds. Counseling issues addressed, some medical needs given to those without access, and parenting guidance provided helping to make changes in their children's lives.
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My background has included teaching the sciences, research, and being involved in the medical community in various capacities. Prior life changing experiences, when being involved at the faith community after school program, providing much needed assistance, demonstrated may ways the positive impact of access to counseling and consulting services to children and their families. The opportunities triggered my seeking to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Through the years, focus on using an integrated approach to counseling, has created a unique environment for clients in their work with me. Life Coaching and Consulting developed having worked in non-medical or non-mental health environments to assist clients in goal development, helping them reach their potential for change, and providing skill development in many areas. My work also has involved being a consultant to the Medical and Mental health communities in practice management, staff support, and guidance in peer issues on many levels.
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Now, in part-time retirement, and in another phase of my life, my focus will be to provide services with an EAP focus as a way to give back to those in need of counseling services for those clients to be able to have some type of access for gaining skills, look at their life's challenges, and not have to pay for services. Throughout my professional career, clients were able to use their insurance to access much needed services, as many did not have the financial means to pay privately for counseling. Life Coaching and Consulting services are private pay, yet offered at competitive rates for those to seek services.
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The work over the past 25 years in counseling and coaching, and over 40 years being involved in the medical community, has been rewarding for me. The next chapter begins with this new focus, and part-time effort. The journey does continue.
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Kathy L. Fortner
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Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting resources! Let's connect. Or schedule an appointment for making positive life changes!
Phone: 843-240-9446
To schedule your free discovery call for EAP Services, Coaching, or Consulting, click here to be directed to the scheduling website.