Meet Dr. Cashuna Huddleston | Licensed Psychologist & Owner of New Way Psychological Services, PLLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Cashuna Huddleston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Cashuna, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?

New Way Psychological Services, PLLC is dedicated to serving the community. This group mental health practice was built on the responsibility and duty to be of service and to provide a wide range of therapeutic and assessment services by skilled clinicians with a range of life and professional experiences. At New Way Psychological Services, PLLC, we are deeply committed to fostering an atmosphere of openness, trust, and safety. We strive to provide high-quality and culturally informed care that affirms the worth of every individual who seeks services with us.

The end goal is to develop a large-scale community-based mental health space that is accessible and relatable where people who present from different backgrounds, abilities and differences can receive psychological treatment. New Way Psychological Services, PLLC will continue to advocate for people to better understand themselves, experience good mental health, and lead fulfilling lives. Professionally, I hope my private practice will have made a meaningful impact in the lives of the clients who trusted our services with their mental health care and have played a role in bringing awareness and improving mental health care and well-being.

“The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving”

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

What should our readers know about your business?

At New Way Psychological Services, we offer an empathic, supportive and collaborative approach. We help clients understand themselves and make changes in their lives. We work creatively, utilizing techniques from different theoretical orientations and strategies, particularly from Cognitive-Behavioral, EMDR, Psychodynamic, Attachment and Mindfulness perspectives among others.

We work with children (5+), adults, and couples who struggle with a range of issues and disorders. We also offer psychological evaluations for children (6+) and adults in diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders, personality disorders, learning disability and pre-surgery evaluations (e.g., bariatric, spinal cord, etc.).

I am most proud of the acknowledgment, recognition, and support of my practice from the community. I got into owning a private practice by happenstance. I started my graduate training with a conviction that I would be a psychologist working at the Veterans Administration. I chose this path because my father was a Vietnam veteran, and I grew up watching what that military experience did to him and I wanted to understand it! Unfortunately, my efforts to work at the Veterans Administration never came to fruition so private practice was a natural next step. Nothing about owning a business is easy when graduate training does not teach you to do so or your background and experiences do not supplant a business framework. I overcame the challenges by doing contract work at a group private practice to learn the business and to develop my private practice mission and values.

I learned so many lessons! I learned that running a successful private practice can be quite a rewarding and challenging endeavor. While mental health professionals are experts in therapy and counseling, running a private practice requires business acumen as well. I learned that self-care Is non-negotiable. As mental health professionals, we often prioritize the well-being of our clients, but it’s important not to neglect your self-care. Practicing self-care techniques, setting boundaries, and seeking support when needed have been essential for preventing burnout. Lastly, the field of mental health is constantly evolving, so staying informed about new research, therapeutic techniques, and best practices is crucial.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I will provide this itinerary based on cooperative Houston weather! My best friend and I share a love for activity, adventure, and exercise. I’d get her connected with Class Pass to give her a glimpse of the vast options that exist within Houston for Zumba, pilates, strength training, and yoga classes. I would also take her to parks, such as Memorial, Allen Parkway, and Brays Bayou to ensure that we can squeeze in a few distance runs and scenic walks. We would spend our afternoons in museums to explore the Menil Collection, The Museum of Fine Arts, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, and the Rothko Chapel. We would have lunch at some of my favorite eateries: Mo Better Brews, Moxie’s, Guard & Grace, and HS Greens. Dinner would range from places such as the Warwick, Eunice, Bungalow, and Street to Kitchen. I am sure there will be a concert, comedy show, Rockets, Astros, or Texans game to check out during her stay. If for whatever reason an idle moment popped up, we could go to Top Golf, The Puttery or Cidercad. Our nightlife would involve bar hopping in the Heights or Washington Avenue, possibly a few brief visits to Lumen, Reset Lounge or FRNDS.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My mother deserves credit for sure! My earliest memories of my mother are her affirming that I could be whatever I wanted to be in this life. She never attended college but wanted to attend Grambling State University. Her pregnancy with me prevented that – so I went! She never went without telling me of my worth and intellect. She forced me to commit to “walking by the beat of my own drum.” Her support, sacrifices, and love wholeheartedly shaped who I am today. While she did not possess a college degree, she taught me true grit, an impeccable ability to problem-solve, independence, commitment, and an unwavering work ethic. I cannot express the depth of gratitude I have for her and most importantly what she instilled in me.

Website: www.newwaypsych.com

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