Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Rivera.
Hi Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a born-and-raised San Antonio, Texas native and a proud first-generation college graduate—thanks, Mom and Dad! From a young age, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: help people through the counseling profession. After graduating high school, I pursued that calling and earned my Master’s degree in Counseling from UTSA before beginning my career in community mental health and later private practice.
Over the years, I built my own counseling practice, which eventually grew into a group practice. Along the way, I discovered that many of the skills needed to succeed as a mental health professional—whether navigating graduate school, licensure, supervision, leadership, or private practice ownership—weren’t taught in lo the classroom. Much of what I learned came through trial and error, asking questions, and figuring things out on my own.
By 2020, I realized I didn’t want other clinicians to have to navigate those same challenges alone. That’s when I created The Counselor’s Mentor, a business dedicated to helping mental health professionals successfully move from one stage of their career to the next. Through mentorship, coaching, training, resources, and community, I provide the practical guidance that many clinicians wish they had received in graduate school. My goal is to break down the process step-by-step and line-by-line, sharing lessons learned from my own journey so others can move forward with greater confidence, clarity, and support.
Today, I have the privilege of serving both clients and clinicians, helping people transform their lives while also equipping the next generation of mental health professionals to thrive in their careers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m not sure what road is smooth—especially when it comes to professional and personal development. One of my biggest struggles was feeling overwhelmed, burned out, under-resourced, and underpaid, particularly in the nonprofit and agency settings where I spent much of my early career. The work was meaningful and impactful, but it became difficult to sustain. I found myself putting my own needs last time and time again because the emotional demands were so great.
I did all the things we encourage others to do—advocated for myself, focused on self-care, used coping strategies, prayed, and sought counseling. Yet the relief was often minimal. As I talked with other professionals, I realized many were experiencing the same challenges.
Those experiences ultimately led me to open my own private practice. But that came with a new set of challenges. I traded a predictable paycheck for uncertainty and quickly learned that being a great counselor and being a successful business owner require very different skill sets.
As I sought support as an entrepreneur, not just as a clinician, I began expanding my knowledge and building a more sustainable career. Those experiences are a big part of why I created The Counselor’s Mentor—to help mental health professionals navigate their careers with greater confidence, support, and direction.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Counselor’s Mentor. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I launched The Counselor’s Mentor in 2020 after realizing there were countless developing mental health professionals navigating their careers the same way I had—alone, through trial and error. I spent years learning lessons the hard way, often investing significant time, energy, and money figuring things out as I went. I knew there had to be a better way.
The Counselor’s Mentor was created to help mental health professionals successfully move from one stage of their career to the next, whether that’s surviving graduate school, preparing for licensure, developing clinical confidence, stepping into leadership, or launching a private practice.
What sets us apart is our focus on both professional growth and community. Mental health professionals are often high-achieving, hardworking, and service-oriented individuals. We are trained to support others, but not always taught how to seek support ourselves. Too often, clinicians find themselves white-knuckling their way through challenges, asking for help only when they absolutely have to.
I wanted to create a space where mental health professionals could come together to learn, encourage, support, and inspire one another. While I share lessons from my own journey as a clinician, supervisor, practice owner, and entrepreneur, I don’t claim to have all the answers. Instead, I’ve built a platform that brings professionals together so they can learn from both my experiences and each other.
What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve created. The Counselor’s Mentor isn’t just about training or resources—it’s about helping clinicians realize they don’t have to figure everything out on their own. Whether someone is just beginning their journey or taking the next big step in their career, my goal is to provide practical guidance, meaningful connections, and the confidence to move forward.
At the end of the day, I want mental health professionals to know they’re not alone. There is support available, there is room for growth, and there is room for all of us in this profession.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that may surprise people is that I started college when I was 16 years old and completed my undergraduate degree by the age of 19. I’ve always been someone who moves quickly toward a goal. When I set my sights on something, I tend to put my head down and go.
While that determination has served me well in many ways, it also taught me some valuable lessons. For a long time, I was used to figuring things out on my own. If something didn’t go as planned, I would adjust, keep moving, and push forward. I rarely stopped long enough to ask for help.
Over time, I realized that approach could be incredibly isolating. Just because you can do something on your own doesn’t mean you should. Some of my greatest growth came when I learned to seek mentorship, build community, and allow others to support me along the way.
In many ways, that realization became the foundation of The Counselor’s Mentor. The guidance, resources, and support I provide today aren’t just based on theory—they’re built from my own experiences, successes, mistakes, and lessons learned. It’s not a “do as I say” approach. It’s a “let me show you what I’ve learned so you don’t have to figure it all out alone” approach.
Pricing:
- $225 for business coaching services
- $200 for individual mentorship
- Free group mentorship
- $897 Platinum Bundle: Solo Practice- Clinical forms AND Launch Videos
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecounselorsmentor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecounselorsmentor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCounselorsMentor
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-rivera-lpcs/
