Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Rivera.
Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, as a first-generation Latina American, and I’ve maintained strong roots in this community, completing all of my academic years here — undergrad and graduate school. I believed I would become a teacher, but God had other plans, and He quickly revealed that my passion for helping individuals — especially adolescents walking through hard times — would be where I was meant to land professionally.
For many years I worked in the nonprofit and agency sectors. As a new clinician I found myself working with some of the most difficult cases, often over-worked and under-paid, and feeling under-resourced both personally and in terms of supporting my clients. It was during this season that I became exposed to what is now my specialty: childhood trauma. It’s not something you easily say — “I specialize in childhood trauma” — because it still hurts, even years later. But it illustrates the need and growing awareness that people require help even when those experiences happened long ago.
In 2017 I opened my private practice so that I could gain autonomy and serve in the way I believed felt right. At La Luz Counseling we live out clear values every day: efficiency, competency, and quality. As a faith-based company, we believe our role as Christians is to be a shining light — hence the name “La Luz,” which means “The Light.” My family have been a tremendous source of encouragement and support in launching this endeavor. Being a business owner is no easy feat, and their rallying when the uphill moments come has been priceless.
I believe God intentionally placed me in this position. I know He brought me here, and I am confident He will guide me through it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. Being a therapist is an incredibly difficult calling. We often reach levels of fatigue that can’t be cured by a nap or a weekend off. The work we do is mental, emotional, and spiritual — it requires showing up fully, even when we ourselves are stretched thin. Placing a financial value on that kind of work is challenging because there’s truly no price tag for what we do. And I don’t just say that as a therapist — it’s extraordinarily complex to enter the psyche of another person, help them untangle their pain, and gently lead them toward healing and awareness. It’s sacred work, but it’s heavy work.
As a business owner, those challenges double. I’m not only a therapist, but also the visionary of my company — leading my team, setting the tone, and ensuring we serve with integrity and excellence. There have been times when financial pressures felt overwhelming, when I questioned how we would make it through another season. Early on, I even wondered if I would have to close our doors. But in those moments, I learned what it truly meant to lean into Christ. He became my sustainer. I gave it all to Him — my worries, my fears, my future — and I continue to trust that if He brought me here, He will see me through it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m proud to offer something that’s becoming increasingly rare in mental health care — no waitlists. When someone reaches out for help, we guarantee an appointment option within a week. We know how much courage it takes just to make that first call, and we want that moment to be met with immediate support, not a delay. That’s why we’ve doubled our team’s “womanpower” on the phones — so when you call, you’ll speak to a real person who truly cares, not an automated system or a robot.
Our therapists serve clients of all ages (starting at 4 years old all the way up) and life stages, and we specialize in evidence-based counseling with an option for Christian, faith-integrated care. For clients who want to include their faith, we wholeheartedly believe that Jesus and prayer can transform lives — and we invite that presence into the counseling room.
What sets us apart is the heart behind our mission. “La Luz” means “The Light,” and we believe that light is Christ. I’m proud to have God at the center of our company — He is the true source of our success. I never want the focus to be on me, but on what God has done and continues to do through our team. I simply see myself as the vessel He’s using to bring light and hope into our community.
What makes you happy?
So many things make me happy — spending time with my family is at the top of the list. My parents, siblings, husband, kids, nieces, and nephews all live here in San Antonio, and we’re a big, close-knit family (about 40 of us!). I’m grateful that we get to share life together on a regular basis.
I also find happiness in living out my God-given gifts and abilities. I love spending time with people, learning their stories, and walking alongside them toward a better today. That doesn’t just happen in my work as a therapist — it shows up in the spaces where I volunteer and within my own family, too.
Happiness comes from doing those things I love, but joy — that comes from God. He is the true source of it all for me.
Pricing:
- $85 per session with an associate therapist
- $145 per session with a fully licensed therapist
- $200 per session with supervisor license therapist
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laluzcounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laluzcounsel/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/la-luz-counseling-llc
