Whitney Sterling shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Whitney, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Coming together with some other local women and creating a charitable organization called Women of Argyle. It has been pretty cool meeting with the other board members of this organization to collaborate and put it together. I am excited to give the local women of Argyle a space to connect with other women while raising money for a great cause. Our first meeting is September 15, which is our launch meeting. Seeing all of the local women become excited has also brought me a lot of joy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I am Whitney Sterling, the owner of Pure Grace Counseling & Wellness. Outside of running a business, I am a wife and a mother. I have been married to my husband for 19 years and we have 2 amazing daughters ages 11 and 13 years old. My youngest has a intellectual disabilities and autism, which has given me a heart for helping families who have individual’s with special needs on top of the other things I do specialize in as a licensed professional counselor. I created my own Private practice because I saw different needs and I wanted to do things differently than the norm. We are a mobile counseling service, where we truly prioritize your comfort by meeting you in a location that suits you best. Whether you prefer the warmth of your home, the inviting atmosphere of a cozy coffee shop, the tranquility a peaceful park, or the ease of an online platform, we are here to connect with you in a way that feels right and supportive for your journey. Our approach is biblically-based, grace and the importance of a strong foundation in guiding you towards holistic wellness. We address not just mental and emotional health, but also your physical well-being, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your care. Furthermore, we are proud to offer specialized parent counseling and coaching, as we believe that nurturing a healthy family system is essential for raising children in today’s complex world.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My growing relationship with Jesus has definitely most shaped how I see myself and how I run my business.
Jesus has helped me see myself not through the lens of the world, my failures, or others’ opinions, but through the truth of who God says I am. Scripture teaches that in Christ, believers are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), forgiven (Ephesians 1:7), deeply loved (Romans 5:8), chosen (1 Peter 2:9), and adopted as children of God (Galatians 4:4–7).
This relationship brings a shift from insecurity to confidence—not in self, but in Christ. I once found my worth in performance, appearance, or approval, but since starting a relationship with Christ, I now find it in being unconditionally loved by God. That love doesn’t waver based on behavior but rests on grace. This gives me peace, security, and a purpose that’s anchored in something eternal.
Knowing Jesus also helps me see my value beyond mistakes or past wounds. Through Him, I understand I am redeemed, being transformed, and invited into a greater story. This shapes how I treat myself—with more grace—and how I treat others and my business.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
My sufferings have built grit and determination. Suffering has helped shape me into the person and business owner that I am today. Without suffering there would not be success. Every time I would fail, it taught me how to also succeed and get to the next level each time. Suffering forced me to confront difficulty, adapt, and endure. It showed me the limits of my strength, and then demanded I go beyond them.
Experiencing suffering has helped me recognize the pain in others. Suffering deepens my capacity to understand, connect, and respond compassionately. Suffering strips away illusions. It can reveal what truly matters, whether that’s health, relationships, meaning, or time. It clarifies values in a way success rarely does because success can cloud us with ego, distraction, or superficiality.
I have learned that in order to know success, I must first know and grow through suffering.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would say that my family matters most to me and making sure that they are loved and supported. They would also say that helping others find and build connection is also important to me. This connection could be with other friends, making sure people feel heard and understood, connection in families etc…It is important to me that people understand one other and know their value.
They would comically probably also say that coffee really matters to me. I love to support local coffee shops and to gather with people over a good cup of coffee.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, I feel like I have a lot of practice in this considering that counselors do not always get praise due to the nature of the job. Since mental health treatment is still not highly encouraged there are a lot of people who do not want to go around praising their counselor or even writing a review about their experience. I have learned that I love what I do so much and seeing others have a shift in their life because of it is enough for me. I think as a mother it is the same. Right now I am raising teenagers and they will never tell me that I am doing a great job. (Oh the joys of teenagers). My thought process goes back to my faith. I do what I do as if I am doing it for the Lord and that is enough for me. He sees me and is who I answer to mainly anyways, so I keep that at the focus of my daily grind. Is it easy, no, but it is a daily surrender.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.puregracecounseling.com/
- Instagram: whitney_sterling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puregracecounseling
- Other: whitney@puregracecounseling.com
