Mary “Kirsten” Kasner, APCC

Hi there, I’m Kirsten Kasner — although you may occasionally see “Mary” on formal documents. That’s me too; I just do not use that name day to day. Some people call me Kiki, so feel free to use whichever feels most natural.

I earned my Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, with an emphasis in Clinical Counseling, from San Diego State University in May 2023. I also hold an Advanced Certificate in Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration.

Counseling is my third career path. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in insurance, corporate settings, and public service. Over time, I became increasingly drawn to mental health work, especially after seeing how common mental health challenges are among people I care about. I strongly believe that almost everyone can benefit from having a neutral, supportive third party to talk to.

Before entering the counseling field professionally, I spent several years volunteering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. I taught classes for people living with mental health conditions and moderated support groups. More than once, people told me I should become a therapist. After internships, practicum, three years of graduate school, and a lot of on-the-job training, here I am.

I am especially interested in forensic counseling and working with individuals who are re-entering society. I do not think we do enough to support people as they rebuild their lives, reconnect with their communities, and work toward stability. I also have several years of experience working with individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.

My therapy style is practical, collaborative, and conversational. I tend to be more casual than clinical in session because I believe we can often accomplish more through a real human conversation than by relying on the stereotypical “How does that make you feel?” approach.

I draw from evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and motivational interviewing. I also believe therapy works best when skills are practiced outside of session. So yes, I sometimes give homework — because if we do not practice the skills, they are not likely to become second nature.

On a personal note, I was born and raised in San Diego. My two older brothers still live here, my mom recently moved to Texas, and my pop lives in Pennsylvania. I live in the north inland area of San Diego with my husband and our baby girl kitty, Jersey — named after the cow, not the state.

These days, I spend a lot of my free time reading, although lately it is mostly therapy-related. I also used to speak French fluently when I was an undergraduate living in Paris, France. I love true crime documentaries, medical shows, and anything along those lines. I consider myself an indoor person, and I fully appreciate a good afternoon nap.

I look forward to meeting you.