CareSouth Carolina’s Kirsten Forinash Earns LISW Credential, Promoted to Behavioral Health Clinica

CareSouth Carolina is proud to announce that Kirsten Forinash, MSW, LISW-CP, has earned her Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) credential and has been promoted to Behavioral Health Clinical Advisor.

Forinash has been with CareSouth Carolina for more than six years. She began her journey in the organization’s Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), now IRIS, department before pursuing her passion for counseling and behavioral health services.

“I am so thankful to Daniel Myers, LPN and Program Director, who saw my potential and encouraged me to pursue my passion by going back to school for my Master of Social Work,” Forinash said. “With the guidance of former Director of Behavioral Health Liz Kershner, MSW, LISW-CP AP, and the continued support of current Director Amy Cook, DSW, LISW-CP/S, I transitioned into my role as a Clinical Counselor.”

Forinash currently practices at CareSouth Carolina’s Lake View office, where she provides counseling services to patients through the organization’s integrated behavioral health model.

“Earning my LISW is an important professional milestone for me,” she said. “It reflects my commitment to providing high quality care and shows my patients that I am capable and competent to support them.”

Amy Cook, DSW, LISW-CP/S, said that Kirsten is the perfect fit for the advisor role.

 

"Watching Kirsten grow professionally has been a privilege, said Cook, CareSouth Carolina’s Director of Behavioral Health. “She has earned this promotion through her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our patients, her colleagues, and our mission. I have every confidence that she will excel as our Behavioral Health Clinical Advisor, and I am excited to see the positive impact she will continue to make on our team and the communities we serve.”

 

Forinash says one of the most rewarding aspects of counseling is witnessing patients recognize their own growth and progress.

“The ‘aha’ moments are my favorite part of counseling,” she said. “When something clicks for a patient or when we’re able to look back and see just how much progress has been made. It’s especially meaningful when patients recognize that they are the ones who have put in the work and made those changes happen. It’s awesome to witness someone being proud of what they’ve done when they once thought it was impossible.”

She also emphasized the importance of CareSouth Carolina’s integrated behavioral health approach, which allows providers across to work together to address the full needs of patients.

“I value CSC’s integrated behavioral health model because it allows us to treat the whole patient,” Forinash said. “I’m just a few doors down from medical providers, which makes collaboration easy. Having community health workers as part of the team also allows us to address barriers like housing, food, and financial concerns.”

She added that access to additional services, including dental and chiropractic care, can significantly improve a patient’s overall well-being.

“Being able to smile with confidence can have a huge impact on someone’s self-esteem and overall mental health, and for patients dealing with chronic pain, access to chiropractic care can be life changing,” Forinash said. “All aspects of health are connected and comprehensive care makes a real difference.”

Outside of work, Forinash enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and running, which she says has become an important part of her self-care routine over the past year.

CareSouth Carolina is a private, non-profit community health center delivering patient-centered health and life services in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. CareSouth Carolina operates centers in Bennettsville, Bishopville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Dillon, Hartsville, Lake View, Latta, McColl and Society Hill.

Services provided by CareSouth Carolina include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women's services, OB/GYN, HIV/AIDS primary care, infectious disease primary care, IV therapy, substance abuse prevention, dental, chiropractic services, pharmacy, senior support services, family support services, clinical counseling, laboratory, ultrasound, X-Ray, agricultural worker health services, podiatry, and veterans choice provider.