Kristi Rhinehart

When I was in third grade, my father retired from the Army, and I spent much of my childhood in Sierra Vista, AZ. I attended Pueblo del Sol Elementary School and graduated from Buena High School in 1995. Like many of my peers, I left after graduation and spent years living across the United States—from Pennsylvania to Texas to North Carolina—experiencing different climates and cultures.

It was in North Carolina that I pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in counseling. For years, I built a fulfilling career in clinical counseling, helping others through life’s challenges. Licensed since 2013, my work later shifted toward developing programs and taking on more administrative duties, allowing me to support personal growth on a broader scale.

Over time, thoughts of my hometown in southern Arizona kept resurfacing. After researching the needs of the area, I felt a strong calling to return and contribute to my local community—specifically by supporting mental health services where I grew up.

In 2021, while attending Sierra Vista’s Art in the Park event with my husband, I experienced a profound sense of belonging. That moment confirmed our decision to relocate to Cochise County. In March 2023, we moved back to Sierra Vista and settled in Hereford. Today, we’re grateful to call this place home again, and I’m excited to use my experience to strengthen and support the community that shaped me.