Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristie Perez.
Hi Kristie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in a small town in North Carolina—you may know it as Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show, but we call it Mount Airy. Ironically, my dad became the sheriff there, and I spent much of my childhood watching him navigate his career in the sheriff’s department. Spending time at the department gave me a sense of connection to the first responder world. While I knew I could never be a first responder myself (I’m squeamish around blood!), I wanted to be part of the culture. Shows like Monk and Law & Order opened my eyes to the mental health challenges that first responders often face, and by the time I applied to college, I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to the mental health field.
I attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. During my first week, I met with a career counselor—who happened to be a social work student—who encouraged me to try a Social Work 101 class. I loved it, and I loved my professor, who became a major influence on my journey and encouraged me to pursue graduate school.
In 2014, I applied to a single social work program—the only one with a sub-concentration In military social work. I was accepted, and I took a big leap moving to San Diego, CA. I met some amazing friends in my graduate program, and it’s also where I met my now-husband, who is also a social worker. After graduation, I worked with several nonprofits before completing my doctorate in social work in 2018. For a while, I thought I wanted to work in large organizations and create broad change through leadership roles. But I kept coming back to what drew me in from the beginning: providing direct care to clients.
In 2022, I joined a group practice where my caseload was primarily military and first responder clients. For the first time in years, I felt recharged and deeply fulfilled. I pursued formal training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), along with additional specialty trainings to better serve this community. I thought I would stay at that practice forever, but a trusted friend and mentor encouraged me to create something of my own—and I realized it was time to follow that vision.
So here I am! In 2024, I opened Perez Counseling, where my focus is on creating a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth. I specialize in working with adults, first responders, healthcare workers, and their families.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been far from smooth, but it’s a lot smoother now. Starting a private practice comes with a big learning curve, along with plenty of doubt and anxiety. What made it possible was the community of people who supported and believed in me, even when I doubted myself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I offer counseling services to adults, first responders, service members and veterans, as well as healthcare workers. Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated myself to working with first responders—pursuing education, specialized trainings, and consultation with other clinicians—to be the best therapist I can for this population. What sets me apart as a therapist is my passion for continuous learning and the strong network of clinicians I’ve built for support and mentorship. This not only helps me grow but also allows me to bring the best, most informed care to my clients.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is community and the bravery it takes to ask for help. For the past four years, I’ve been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where our sensei’s motto is: “Train more. Ask questions.” I spent so much of my time training but rarely asked questions. I had a deep-rooted fear of bothering people or feeling like I should already know the answers. When I finally let go of that mindset and started asking for help, I began to grow and achieve things I didn’t know were possible.
I didn’t just apply this to Jiu Jitsu—I applied it to every area of my life. I reached out to friends, colleagues, and mentors for guidance as I started my own practice. I was overwhelmed with the support and knowledge that came back to me, and it helped my business grow. Thanks to my community, my vision for my practice grew far beyond what I could have imagined on my own.
I’ve learned that close friends often see more potential in me than I see in myself. And I’ve noticed the same with my clients—I see so much strength and possibility in them, and it’s an honor to help them recognize that potential. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a community that helps me see just how limitless my potential is!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.perez-counseling.com
- Other: https://share.google/FJMWbL2eodznwDupE
