Sarah Whitmire | Source | Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC-S, ATR-BC | Founder at Whitmire Counseli...

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Sarah Whitmire

Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC-S, ATR-BC | Founder at Whitmire Counseling and Supervision LLC
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Sarah Whitmire is a Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of Whitmire Counseling and Supervision LLC. At her practice, she provides quality therapy for children, teens, and adults struggling with anxiety, stress, ADHD & more. Sarah is also on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Greater Houston, working to advocate for mental health awareness.

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  • Navigating Toxic Friendships: Expert Advice for Parents
    Sarah defines a toxic friendship as one causing "emotional distress and affecting self-esteem." Signs include anxiety, withdrawal, or uncharacteristic behavior. If your child doesn't see the toxicity, ask open-ended questions to encourage reflection. If your child is the toxic friend, promote empathy and model healthy behaviors. Seek professional help if mental health suffers or if bullying is involved.
  • Stress Balls and Fidget Spinners: Do They Really Ease Anxiety?
    Sarah explains, “Stress balls can release muscle tension and slightly lower cortisol levels, offering temporary relief. Fidget spinners help maintain focus for some, but effectiveness varies by individual.” She emphasizes these tools are not universally effective, serving as totems for emotional regulation rather than long-term solutions.
  • Empowering ADHD Kids: What Not to Say and Better Alternatives
    Sarah highlights the harm of statements like “Try harder” and “Just focus,” which overlook ADHD's neurological basis. Instead, she suggests alternatives like offering movement breaks or collaborative strategies. “Positive reinforcement helps them understand their strengths,” leading to better outcomes for ADHD kids.
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  • Thoughts on how to cope with political/election anxiety:

    "This is a very decisive and overwhelming time in American politics, it would be totally normal to feel anxiety and stress around the topic. It is the first thing the news is talking about and social media algorithms are picking up, and why not?It gains the networks and social media views and marketing money. That does not mean it is good for the human mindset. I believe everyone should stay informed and know what is going on in the world, and especially our country but that does not mean sitting home marinating in all the news and feeling out of control. Instead, find ways to focus on what you can control. You can control who you vote for and who, if you choose, to donate to. Otherwise it is overwhelming and fear promoting to sit around and think of all the outcomes. So what can you do?
    Limit your news intake. Set a reasonable amount of daily time to catch up on the news and stick to that. Do not schedule your news time for evenings before bed, that is the number one way to prompt nighttime anxiety and insomnia. I personally only read the news, this for me is less emotionally charged and I can put it away more easily. Turn off all the extra news alerts on your phone, and especially your smart watch. Then get to work on daily things you can control, and doing things you enjoy. Exercise is the number one way to treat anxiety and stress, along with sleep issues they can cause. So get your heart rate up and get social. With all the fear and anger mixed up in the election it is easy to feel isolated. Reach out to people, and talk about other topics! If your friends try to turn the convo to politics, politely tell them that is not where you are putting your energy today. Bottom line, take one day at a time. We can not predict or control what happens in November, but we can be more mindful in our daily lives and not give away our valuable time to anxiety."

  • Quote from Newsweek Article on Autism Signs and Child's Behavior on Plane: "Sarah Whitmire is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Texas with expertise in working with neurodivergent clients with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and more. She told Newsweek that it's important to approach the latest footage 'with sensitivity and a recognition of the complexity of human behavior.' She warned that 'while it's certainly possible that the child in the video is autistic, it's also possible that the child's behavior could be indicative of other concerns or issues, such as anxiety.' So, 'this short clip doesn't provide nearly enough information to make a diagnosis,' she noted. Whitmire added that ASD is characterized by challenges with social communication, as well as by restricted and repetitive behaviors. Those with ASD 'may indeed exhibit unique behaviors or intense interests in specific subjects, including things like maps or schedules. These interests can provide comfort, predictability, and a way to manage sensory input in environments that might otherwise feel overwhelming,' the LPC said."

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