Kristen Palacios

When you're the person everyone else depends on, it can be difficult to admit when you're the one who needs support.

Whether you serve as a first responder, veteran, or someone in another high-stress profession, you're used to staying strong, pushing through, and handling whatever comes your way. But carrying the weight of difficult experiences, chronic stress, or the demands of caring for others can eventually take a toll. Therapy offers a place where you don't have to stay in "survival mode."

I'm Kristen Latronico Palacios, a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about working with first responders, veterans, and adults navigating the emotional challenges that come with high-pressure careers and major life transitions. I understand that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness—it's an investment in your well-being, your relationships, and your future.

My goal is to provide a supportive, down-to-earth environment where you can process what you've been carrying, strengthen your resilience, and move toward the life you want to build.

I believe therapy should feel practical, collaborative, and free of judgment.

Together, we'll explore the experiences, stressors, and patterns that may be affecting your emotional well-being while developing tools you can use both in and outside of session. Whether you're navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, relationship challenges, or the transition from military or public service into a new chapter of life, my approach is tailored to your unique experiences and goals.

While I have a special passion for supporting first responders and veterans, I also work with adults experiencing life transitions, stress, depression, anxiety, and relationship concerns. My focus is helping you build resilience, reconnect with your strengths, and create lasting, meaningful change.

You don't need to have the "right words" or a perfectly organized story before starting therapy.

Our first sessions are simply a chance for us to get to know one another, understand what's bringing you in, and identify what you hope will be different in your life. Together, we'll build a plan that feels realistic, personalized, and focused on your goals.

Whether you're carrying the emotional weight of your career, adjusting to a major life change, or simply looking for a space where you can finally exhale, my hope is that you'll leave each session feeling supported, understood, and better equipped to move forward.