New Wave Counseling

Trauma often erodes self-trust, leaving people unsure of their feelings, decisions, and instincts. This is not low confidence but an adaptation to unsafe relational environments where emotions were dismissed or boundaries violated. The nervous system learns to prioritize safety over internal guidance, making intuition feel unreliable. Healing self-trust is relational and gradual, built through validation, safe practice, and repeated experiences of support.

Emotional neglect teaches people to survive without being seen. Therapy offers a different experience: one where emotions are not too much, needs are not inconvenient, and connection does not require self-erasure. 

One of the most common and painful things people say in therapy is: “I thought I was past this.” Maybe it’s an old trigger that suddenly reappears. A relationship pattern you promised yourself you’d never repeat. An emotional response that feels confusing, frustrating, or even shame-inducing after years of personal work. In a culture that frames growth as a straight, upward trajectory, moments like these can feel deeply discouraging. We’re taught implicitly and explicitly tha

Since 2026 began, I have been validating my clients’ realities by saying things like, “It’s okay if you are still hungover from 2025”, “So many of us are struggling from the post-holiday ‘funk’”, and “It’s okay if last year left you feeling resigned or checked out”. In the decade I have been a psychotherapist, I have never seen a single year bring my clients so much distress and uncertainty. 2025 felt like a barrage of attacks on so many levels, and many of my clients were le

Interdependence is the sweet spot between closeness and autonomy. (the ability to rely on others without losing yourself). It shows up in friendships, families, teams, and communities where support flows both ways, boundaries protect connection, and trust makes collaboration safe. When we understand our attachment patterns and practice healthy limits, we build relationships where we can be fully ourselves and still held by others.

In therapy, we often talk about the tools that help people heal, connect, and grow. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a therapist to use them. These nine therapeutic skills can help anyone build healthier relationships, regulate emotions, and approach life with more empathy and understanding. In a time when stress, anxiety, and disconnection are at an all-time high, these are the same mental health skills therapists use in session, and they can transform the way you

Hello and welcome! If you’re new here, hi! I'm Ian Hammonds. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist supervisor and licensed professional counselor in the state of Texas. And yes, I made the decision to go back for my PhD after six years of clinical practice. Some people call it dedication; I prefer “a healthy dose of unhinged curiosity.” Either way, here’s what led me to pursue a doctorate after already being licensed and established in the field. The Journey to Becomin

How we see ourselves shapes everything; how we love, how we cope, how we show up, and even how we dream. Our sense of “who I am” is built over time from thousands of moments, messages, and memories. Some are empowering. Others, not so much.  In therapy, one of the most transformative journeys a person can take is learning to see themselves more clearly and kindly. Self-perception is not about perfection or control; it is about awareness, compassion, and courage. Let’s explore

In therapeutic practice, the concept of intersectionality matters deeply not only as a theoretical lens but as a lived reality for many clients. When clients live at the intersection of multiple identities and multiple systems of power, trauma, resilience, and culture, each of our clinical frameworks needs to keep pace. This post explores four interrelated dimensions: layered identity and mental health, systemic stressors, cultural perceptions of strength, and how therapy can

Understanding ADHD Diagnosis in African American Males: A Culturally Informed Approach Diagnosing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity...

Did you know that January is the month when the most people file for divorce? Did you know that one in two children will see their...

It's no secret that suicide and depression run rampant within the cisgender male population. Growing up, I watched several male family...

Why am I writing this blog? I have wanted to write on this topic for a very long time. Gaslighting is so ingrained in our culture, our...

A lot of people are becoming more and more ambivalent regarding the holiday seasons. A lot of my clients, friends, and family are filled...

It’s no secret that as healthcare providers, as compassionate humans, and as natural-born caregivers, it is our innate reaction to...

If you need immediate assistance in leaving an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233...

In the five and a half years of being a licensed marriage and family therapist, the concept of money has been omnipresent in all of the...

I’d like to begin this piece by saying that the irony of a gay therapist blogging about imposter syndrome was not lost on me. Anyone who...

Despite the snarky title of this blog, I actually fully support and admire anyone who chooses to leave the comfort of someone else’s...

Codependency is a very hot button for many therapists and non-therapists alike. Any time I have asked someone for inspiration on what my...