Meet Kristen Thierolf

We recently connected with Kristen Thierolf and have shared our conversation below.

Kristen, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I’ve learned that resilience doesn’t always come from big, dramatic moments—it’s often built in the quiet, everyday decisions to keep moving forward, even when life feels uncertain. For me, resilience has come from navigating big transitions: leaving a group practice, starting my own counseling business, and even moving abroad while still serving clients back home in Texas. Each season stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but it also reminded me that growth usually happens outside of our comfort zones.

Some of my resilience comes from my family. I grew up watching people I love face challenges with humor and grit, and that shaped how I approach setbacks. But a lot of it has come from my work as a therapist. I’ve sat with clients who show up in the middle of heartbreak, loss, or change, and their courage to take one small step forward inspires me daily. It reminds me that resilience doesn’t have to look perfect—it can simply mean choosing to try again.

Living abroad has taught me that resilience also looks like finding joy in the little things: learning a new language slowly, making a home in a new country, or noticing “glimmers” in everyday life. It’s not about bouncing back quickly—it’s about adapting with compassion, patience, and hope. And that’s what I carry with me into both my personal life and the way I show up for my clients.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and the founder of Healthy Horizons Counseling PLLC, where I provide virtual therapy for clients across Texas. I started my practice with the belief that therapy should feel approachable and human, not intimidating or clinical. My work focuses on helping people navigate anxiety, stress, relationships, and life transitions—because so many of us are doing our best on the outside while carrying heavy things on the inside.

What feels most exciting about my practice is blending my personal and professional journey. I currently live abroad, which has taught me a lot about resilience, identity, and creating a sense of home even in seasons of uncertainty. That perspective helps me connect with clients who are going through their own transitions, whether it’s a big move, a career shift, or simply learning how to take up space in their own life. I also share pieces of that journey through my Therapist Abroad Diaries content, where I talk about “glimmers”—the small, everyday moments that remind us life is worth slowing down for.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding Healthy Horizons Counseling and continuing to make therapy more accessible to people across Texas. My hope is that anyone reading this who’s been curious about starting therapy knows that it’s never too late to begin, and you don’t have to go through life’s hardest seasons alone. Therapy is not about being “broken”—it’s about giving yourself the chance to grow, heal, and rediscover joy.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Compassion—for myself and for others.
In the counseling field, it’s easy to focus on showing empathy to clients while forgetting to extend it inward. Learning how to give myself grace during difficult seasons has allowed me to show up more authentically and fully for the people I support.

2. Adaptability.
Life has taken me through many transitions—leaving a group practice, starting my own business, and even moving abroad. Each change stretched me in new ways, but learning to adapt instead of resist gave me strength and perspective. Adaptability is what allows us to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go as planned.

3. Consistency.
Healing, growth, and building a business don’t happen overnight. What has mattered most is showing up again and again—even when progress feels slow. Consistency has taught me that small, steady steps are what create lasting change.

For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: start with small practices. Practice self-compassion daily, look at change as a teacher instead of something to fear, and focus on consistency over perfection. Those three things will carry you much further than trying to have it all figured out from the beginning.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client isn’t about a certain age or background, it’s about someone who is ready to be honest with themselves and open to the process of growth. Many of the clients I work with are high-achievers who look like they have it all together on the outside, but inside they’re wrestling with anxiety, self-doubt, or big life transitions. They often tell me, “I don’t want to burden anyone else,” or “I should be able to handle this on my own.”

The truth is, you don’t have to do it alone. My ideal client is someone willing to show up as they are—even if that means messy, uncertain, or afraid—and take small steps toward change. You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need the courage to begin.

I especially love working with people who are navigating transitions: moving, starting new careers, shifting relationships, or figuring out who they are in this next season of life. If you’re curious, reflective, and willing to lean into the process, that’s all it takes to be a “good” client for therapy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hhcounselingtx.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapywithkristenlpc/