Kristina Banaitis, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Socal Worker #LCSW85208
Thousand Oaks – Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri
My desire is to empower you to create the life that God wants for you, following God’s one and only son Jesus during the trials of your life. With empathy and respect, I will seek to listen to you and to be an instrument of Christ’s unconditional love. Whether you’re dealing with conflict in your relationships, the pain of loss, symptoms of depression or anxiety, the uncertainties that accompany the aging process, or other concerns, I would be honored to journey with you and discover a rich and meaningful life, with God’s help.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
My goal as a counselor is to serve my clients by empowering them to restore and nurture their personal relationship with God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to reconcile with their loved ones. I find great joy in helping people discover their God-given gifts and His purpose and call for their lives. My prayer is that through our time together, you will gain confidence in the Lord and His ability to carry you from darkness to light, from hardship to hope.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I offer a safe environment and non-judgmental attitude to foster trust and open communication. With warmth and compassion, I will accept you for who you are, emphasizing your value as someone made in the image of God. As your counselor, I will respect your individuality and confidentiality, following your lead to determine what we address in each session according to your desires and comfort level.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
The Biblical foundation is central to both my personal life and my professional approach. I firmly believe that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). In each counseling session, I begin with a short prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit and reading a Psalm to shift the focus to God’s wisdom, comfort, and promises. I close each session by asking Jesus to bless my clients, show favor upon them, and grant them peace.
Qualifications & Experience
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Social Work from Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania, Europe. In addition to counseling, my professional experience includes work in nursing homes, Home Health Care, Hospice, and Palliative Care.
My Call to Christian Counseling
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved God sincerely, and have been eager to help others. My beloved grandmother had a stroke when I was 9 years old. I adored her and desired to help her in any way I could. She was my inspiration to pursue Social Work as my profession to serve others.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
I find the most comfort and peace when I pray privately or join in group prayer with fellow believers. Outside of work, I focus on taking care of my household, which includes my husband, our three teenage children, and our three dogs. In my free time, I enjoy going on date nights with my husband, watching TV with my kids, listening to audiobooks, and taking our dogs for walks.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abandonment and Neglect
- Aging and Geriatric Issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief and Loss
- Infidelity and Affairs
- Online Counseling
- Personal Development
- Relationship Issues
- Spiritual Development
- Women’s Issues
Aging and Geriatric Issues
Growing old is a normal and natural part of life in this world. Aging can bring many different challenges to our daily routine. When we embrace the natural cycle of life with the help of Christian counseling, we can realize the value of wisdom, experience, maturity, personal growth, and opportunities for reconciliation and hope.
Grief and Loss
The loss of a loved one is unavoidable in our lives. The pain and emptiness can become unbearable. You are not meant to go through it alone. God desires for you to find comfort. “Blessed are they that mourn,” taught Jesus, “for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Christian grief counseling can lead you to the path of healing and restoration.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and sadness are normal human emotions that we all experience. Difficult circumstances in life can create anxiety and depression which can overwhelm you. The more you try to eliminate or ignore it, the more you could feel isolated, distressed, or disappointed, which could lead to other personal issues. I offer a space for acceptance to help you to open up and work through your most unpleasant inner experiences and to live out the perfect plan God has for you.
Relationship Issues
We are created to be with one another, and to live in unity. There are many obstacles in this world that hinder us from reaching the peace and unity that God desires for us. Through God’s healing and your personal inner work in counseling, you can realize the maximum potential for your relationships. Loving relationships are a key component of enjoying the life God has given.
Women’s Issues
In God’s eyes, we as women are far more precious than jewels. We women have a responsibility to honor the Lord in the roles He has given us, including that of wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. There are countless hardships in the path we are called to follow. I would be honored to support, encourage, and guide you through Christian counseling to empower you to lead a meaningful and rich life.
Sessions: I offer 52-minute sessions. Sessions can be held twice a week, weekly, bi-weekly, or as needed. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.
Availability (in-person & online):
- Thousand Oaks – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and groups looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.
Insurance: As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I am an approved Medicare provider and bill directly to Medicare, as well as secondary insurance. Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals.
Receipts/Statements: In the event, you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.
Focus Areas
Testimonials
Kristina Banaitis is a wonderful, skilled counselor who is yielded to the Holy Spirit as she listens and discerns what goes beyond words. Not only does she have experience to professionally counsel, she prays for wisdom and insight to be most effective. I am honored to lead prayer at our school and have gotten to personally know Kristina during the past few years as she has faithfully come weekly to pray. I can always count on her. When she says she will pray, I know she will. Kristina is patient and kind and she has a reassuring resilience and loyalty that can be trusted. Every time I am with her, I sense a peaceful strength that makes it easy to share and receive.
CD Kittleson
Google Review
Kristina Banaitis is a very caring sweet and compassionate person. She is a very good listener and a great therapist, I would highly recommend her to my family, relatives, and friends.
Ildiko Pasztor
Google Review
Kristina is a kind, caring professional. Trustworthy, ethical, and reliable, she works diligently to provide her clients with a high level of care.
Steven Hobbs
Google Review