Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Kercho.
Hi Sara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was a high school dance teacher and drill team director for a little over a decade and knew I wouldn’t be in education long-term so I started asking myself what’s next. Through the relationships I built with my students, many of them felt safe enough to talk to me about their personal struggles. I noticed there was a desire to be able to support more teens and young adults by becoming a counselor that they would feel comfortable seeing.
Dance has my heart and I’m passionate about mental health so I brought those two worlds together by beginning to offer dancer mental wellness workshops for dance and drill teams.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were a couple times I had to take a break from graduate school for various reasons. I had a moment when I wasn’t sure if I was going to finish the program and took a break for my own mental health when I left education. I struggled finding a job to be able to support myself and then revisited the idea of finishing my master’s program.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Mentally Here is my brand which encompasses individual therapy, wellness workshops, leadership development, and coaching.
I am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Laura Wright LPC-S. I offer individual therapy to teens and adults at UnEarthed Therapy + Yoga in Keller. I also see clients virtually throughout the state of Texas. My approach combines somatic therapy with talk therapy for a more holistic approach to mental wellness. Sessions often explore inner parts and attachment patterns to help clients better understand themselves while strengthening the mind-body connection. I am also EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) trained which is a way to process trauma and distressing experiences. I prioritize tailoring my approach to the unique needs and goals of each client.
I often see clients who have been in traditional talk therapy for years who know there is something deeper to explore within their body. I’ve also noticed clients coming in whose first experiences with therapy or mental health support weren’t the most positive when they were younger but they are ready to try again.
I also facilitate embodied dance classes that help people reconnect with themselves and find movement that feels good in their bodies. It’s about noticing and expressing. The practices support grounding, self-awareness, emotional release, authentic expression, connection, regulation, and empowerment. The great thing about this offering is that you don’t have to have any prior dance experience or even be able to keep a beat!
My dancer mental wellness workshops are something I really enjoy. They focus on teaching and practicing nervous system regulation, adopting a growth mindset, building empathy for others, understanding themselves, and developing effective communication skills. I strive to create a space where dancers feel comfortable enough to have honest conversations. We practice skills that often aren’t taught when growing up but are so valuable to their success and will extend beyond the dance studio. Beyond team workshops, I am launching an Embodying Leadership program this fall for student leaders to receive yearlong personalized mentorship and support as they develop their leadership skills.
I bring authenticity into the spaces I enter in the hope that the people I work with feel that they can do the same. I am compassionate and open-minded and truly want my clients to feel empowered to create lasting change and build emotional resilience. I blend evidence-based research with approachable language while making concepts practical and relatable to everyday life. My goal extends beyond helping people simply cope. I strive to help clients reconnect with themselves – their bodies, emotions, values, and voice – so they can live from a place of alignment rather than survival. Through this process, I support my clients in building self-trust, self-expression, and embodied confidence.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I think it’s important to know that you may have a really good product or service and just because people don’t initially show up for your offerings, that doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable. It can take time to build visibility and make connections. Connect with people who believe in what you have to offer instead of trying to appeal to everyone. If you have something you believe will help others, don’t give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mentallyherecommunity.com
- Instagram: @mentallyherecommunity
