about Doctor Becky

Expertise in Marriage and Family Therapy

Dr. Becky Whetstone, a native of Arkansas, holds a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in both Arkansas and Texas, with her practice based in Arkansas since 2012. For clients outside of those states and in other countries, she works with people as a consultant and life coach. Dr. Whetstone does therapy virtually only, by phone or Zoom. 

Career in Journalism and Media

Dr. Becky has a rich background in journalism, having earned a BA in Journalism from George Washington University in 1980. She began her journalism career as a medical reporter intern at KENS TV in San Antonio and later freelanced for the San Antonio Express-News. By 1994, she was hired by the Express-News as a features writer and soon started her relationship advice column in the SA Life section. Her column, which covered a range of relationship topics, was a precursor to the popular “Sex and the City” genre.

Founding the Singles Revolution

During her tenure at the San Antonio Express-News, Dr. Whetstone initiated the Singles Revolution, a movement dedicated to helping professional singles build healthy relationships. She organized significant events and volunteer activities, creating a community focused on personal growth and better relationships.

Transition to Therapy

Driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of relationships, Dr. Whetstone pursued advanced degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy beginning in 2001. She earned her Master’s Degree in 2003 and her Ph.D. in 2006 from St. Mary’s University. Her dissertation focused on the decision-making processes of individuals in long-term marriages contemplating divorce, providing valuable insights into courtship, marriage, and divorce dynamics.

Clinical Practice and Academic Contributions

Since 2001, Dr. Becky has worked in various clinics and agencies, including the Family Violence Prevention Center, where she supported women in abusive relationships. She opened her private practice in 2006, offering therapy to individuals, couples, and families. Additionally, Dr. Becky has served as an adjunct professor at several institutions, including Northwest Vista College, St. Mary’s University, Texas State University, and San Antonio College, where she has mentored many students and interns.

Research and Areas of Interest

Dr. Whetstone’s professional interests include personal growth, mate selection, the courtship process, divorce decision-making, grief, and divorce recovery. She has dedicated thousands of hours to studying these areas and continues to expand her knowledge to provide the best possible support to her clients.

Publications and Media Presence

In addition to her therapy practice, Dr. Whetstone writes a blog about relationships where she promises to teach the general public “everything she knows” about mental and emotional health and relationships. 

Her nonfiction book, “I (Think) I Want Out): What to Do When One of You Wants to Leave Your Marriage,” will be published by HCI Books in the winter of 2025. This book promises to be a complete guide for individuals and couples to understand and navigate a marriage crisis, from the first moment to the final decision to reconcile or divorce.

Personal Resilience and Connection

For many years, Dr. Becky Whetstone raised her two precious children as a single mother: her daughter, Casey Marie, born in 1990 and lives in San Antonio, and her son, Benjamin, born in 1987. Benjamin joined the United States Marines in 2008, becoming a Lance Corporal and scout sniper. Tragically, Dr. Whetstone mourns the loss of her beloved son, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on October 6, 2011, just seven months before completing his four-year commitment.

This devastating event remains the most challenging experience of Dr. Whetstone’s life. Despite the ongoing heartbreak and the deep void left by her son’s absence, she believes that working through such profound emotional pain has helped her develop greater compassion and wisdom. This journey of grief and healing enables her to connect more deeply with her clients, offering them empathetic and insightful support.

Dr. Whetstone finds some solace in knowing that Benjamin was her biggest fan and often sought her advice on personal and relationship matters. In tribute to his memory, she manages a memorial Facebook page titled “LCpl Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt. Beloved friend, son, fallen hero,” where she invites others to join and honor his legacy. Additionally, she produces videos about his life, stating, “It keeps him alive for me. It keeps him in our minds and hearts, and as his mom, I feel it’s my responsibility to do that.”

These efforts to honor her son’s memory not only keep his spirit alive but also fuel Dr. Whetstone’s dedication to helping others navigate their own emotional challenges, providing them with a beacon of hope and understanding.

Contact Information

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Becky Whetstone here.