Interests and Qualifications
- Bachelors in Studio Art and Religious Studies, UNC-CH
- 18 months in the Masters of Landscape Architecture Program at NCSU
- Published Author of Landscape Design bulletin for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Independent Landscape Designer since 2003
- Masters student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at NCCU January, 2021 - present
- Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture class completed with NC Cooperative Extension Gardeners and the NC Botanical Garden extensiongardener.ces.ncsu.edu/online-non-credit-courses/introduction-to-therapeutic-horticulture/
- Organizer of "Love Mama Day" a special event for Children and Moms, www.wral.com/moms-invited-to-take-back-the-meaning-of-mother-s-day-during-love-mama-day/17484121/
Kirsten is expanding her practice of landscape design to specialize in the creation of healing, meditation and therapeutic gardens.
Kirsten is working towards a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at the North Carolina Central University, while continuing Kalmia Landscape Design and volunteering to enhance access to the natural world for people across diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Since 2003, Kirsten has been the owner and sole employee of Kalmia Landscape Design. Kirsten’s love for landscape design stems from her belief that our physical environments are instrumental in the way that we feel. She believes that landscapes can provide a sense of safety, inspiration, beauty, sensory stimulation, and reverence. Kirsten’s dream is to marry her two passions: mental health and gardens by offering future clients the opportunity to engage with nature while participating in counseling. Whether it’s simply walking in a garden or natural setting, sitting on a bench and listening to the sounds around you, or getting your hands in the dirt, Kirsten believes in the healing and transformative power of nature and the connection of mind and body that opening up to the natural world brings.
Kirsten is working towards a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at the North Carolina Central University, while continuing Kalmia Landscape Design and volunteering to enhance access to the natural world for people across diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Since 2003, Kirsten has been the owner and sole employee of Kalmia Landscape Design. Kirsten’s love for landscape design stems from her belief that our physical environments are instrumental in the way that we feel. She believes that landscapes can provide a sense of safety, inspiration, beauty, sensory stimulation, and reverence. Kirsten’s dream is to marry her two passions: mental health and gardens by offering future clients the opportunity to engage with nature while participating in counseling. Whether it’s simply walking in a garden or natural setting, sitting on a bench and listening to the sounds around you, or getting your hands in the dirt, Kirsten believes in the healing and transformative power of nature and the connection of mind and body that opening up to the natural world brings.