New Wave Counseling

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...

A very large part of the kind of work I do revolves around couples therapy. Being trained in this very powerful form of psychotherapy, I...

Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents A lot of people in the queer community (I am definitely one of them) imitate and satirize 1981’s...

Yesterday, I sandwiched my own personal therapy directly between four of my own clients. In lieu of keeping up with a weekly blog, I was...

What Is Sensory Overload? When you first hear “Sensory Overload”, pay attention to what happens in your body. Do you resonate with the...

Tuesday, July 5th, 2022. The day after “Independence” Day. And it’s a whopping 97 degrees in Austin, with no end of this heatwave in...