Ricky Waite, LCSW

04/02/2026

The Supreme Court’s decision in Chiles v. Salazar is a wake-up call for our profession. 🏛️💔

By framing conversion efforts as "protected speech," the court has challenged our ability to protect the most vulnerable. But as social workers, our mandate doesn't come from a court ruling—it comes from our Code of Ethics.

Conversion therapy isn't "talk"; it’s an assault on identity that leads to a 2x increase in su***de attempts. We don't "fix" what isn't broken. We validate. We support. We affirm.

To my LGBTQ+ community: You are seen, you are worthy, and my office will always be a sanctuary of evidence-based, affirming care. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Read my full breakdown of why this practice has no place in our field. https://www.rickywaiteconsulting.com/post/conversion-therapy

In a landmark 2026 decision, the Supreme Court has redefined "conversion therapy" as protected speech. As a Texas LCSW, I find this decision devastating but my ethical mandate remains unchanged. Conversion therapy is not "talk"; it is a psychological assault rooted in rejection. It violates NASW sta...

03/02/2026

"Wait, you’re a Social Worker and a Psychotherapist?" 🤔

Yes! And it means I bring a whole lot more to the table than just a box of tissues. Happy Social Work Month! 🥂 This year’s theme is Uplift. Defend. Transform.

In this office, that doesn't mean I'm "fixing" you. It means I'm: ✨ Uplifting your status as the true expert of your life. 🛡️ Defending your story against the "ghostwriters" of shame and stigma. 🦋 Transforming the way you see your own resilience.

Check out the new blog post to see how we’re rewriting the script of Social Work in 2026. https://www.rickywaiteconsulting.com/post/social-work-month-2026

03/01/2026

Happy Social Work Month!

02/19/2026

It is never too late to be who you are. 🏳️‍🌈✨

Are you navigating a "late bloom?" Coming out as an older adult is a unique journey. It often means balancing the joy of new discovery with the quiet grief of a "life not lived" and the whirlwind of a "second puberty."

Whether you are exploring your gender identity or your sexual orientation, your timeline is valid. At Ricky Waite Consulting, I provide affirming, evidence-based therapy that honors your history while building your authentic future.

In our work together, we’ll explore:
✅ Processing the grief of the past
✅ Navigating shifting relationship dynamics
✅ Reclaiming your narrative on your own terms

You’ve spent years meeting the world's expectations. This space is finally for you.

🔗 https://www.rickywaiteconsulting.com/coming-out

Embrace your journey at any age. I offer expert LGBTQ+ identity exploration and support for older adults coming out later in life. Together, we’ll navigate the "life not lived," the second puberty, and the path to authenticity. Affirming, evidence-based therapy with Ricky Waite, LCSW.

02/05/2026

Let’s be honest: February can feel like a high-pressure performance of "The Bachelor," but the most important rose you’ll ever give is to yourself. 🌹

As an attachment-oriented therapist, I talk a lot about how we relate to others. But this month, I’m deconstructing the most vital relationship you have: the one with your own internal world. Becoming your own "secure base" isn't about bubble baths; it's about shifting from self-criticism to self-witnessing.

New on the blog - Beyond the Valentine: Cultivating Secure Internal Attachments. Click the link - https://www.rickywaiteconsulting.com/post/beyond-the-valentine to start "re-authoring" your internal narrative.

❤️

12/13/2025

Tired of surface-level talks and feeling like you have to "handle it" alone?

[Coming January 2026] The Forge: A Men's Process Group offers a different kind of space for men (18+) in Austin. This is an intensive, confidential journey focused on the "here-and-now."

We don't just talk about problems. You'll get direct, honest feedback on how you relate to others in the room, empowering you to change frustrating relational patterns and build satisfying connections.

What you gain:
• Real, Honest Connection with other men.
• Transformative Insight into how you are perceived.
• Profound Relief and mutual understanding.
• Cultivate Emotional Growth.

We welcome men committed to genuine self-exploration.

Ready to forge stronger relationships?

Schedule your confidential consultation today!
🔗 www.rickywaiteconsulting.com/group-therapy
📧 waiter@rickywaiteconsulting.com

The Forge is an ongoing, open-ended interpersonal process group designed for men ready to move beyond restrictive definitions of masculinity. This group focuses intensely on the "here-and-now" moment. We don't just talk about problems; we focus on how you relate to the men in the room. By examining....

12/09/2025

What are your thoughts on this? In what ways have you found to combat loneliness?

More U.S. adults ages 45 and older are feeling lonely, according to a new AARP study.

12/08/2025

🤯 Feeling overwhelmed by the holiday rush and the year’s challenges? Let’s end 2025 with clarity and growth!

We’ve compiled the Top Therapeutic Threads of 2025—a must-read year-end recap of the most impactful articles from Ricky Waite Consulting. This is your chance to catch up on the essential information, tips, and skills development that defined our year in mental wellness.

Inside the Recap, you’ll find tools for:
* Setting Healthy Boundaries: Essential guides like “Finding Peace at the Table” and “The Family Gathering Field Guide” to help you navigate relationships with self-compassion and firmness.

* Mastering Your Mind: Discover the power of the strengths-based approach to anxiety and depression and learn how to find your “Inner Anchor.”

* Habit & Mental Health Connection: Practical insights on how lifestyle changes (like exploring Beyond the Buzz on alcohol’s impact) can be a game-changer for your overall well-being.

Your journey to becoming your best self never stops. Don’t just reflect—learn and equip yourself for a more secure 2026!

✨ Tap the Link in Bio to check out the full recap of our 2025 posts!

12/03/2025

Is holiday stress activating your Anxious or Avoidant attachment strategies? 😩

Stop chasing the "Perfect Holiday." My new guide teaches 3 vital skills for peace:

• Cognitive Reappraisal (thought work),
• Box Breathing (calm), and
• Setting a Pre-Game Exit Strategy (boundaries).

Take back your peace! ➡️ Link in bio for the full "Family Gathering Field Guide."

Family get-togethers can trigger old wounds, pushing us into Anxious or Avoidant attachment strategies. Learn how to use Reappraisal to challenge automatic thoughts and find calm. We cover techniques like Box Breathing and identifying a Safety Check Anchor so you can approach the chaos with self-com...

11/27/2025

Juggling family, travel, and end-of-year deadlines? Don’t let holiday stress steal your joy.

We’ve created a quick one-minute video tutorial to guide you through the powerful Box Breathing exercise.

A quick reminder of the power of your breath: Box Breathing helps regulate your nervous system and reduce cortisol (stress hormones), giving you instant relief when you need it most.

Click the link in bio, breathe with us for 60 seconds, and reclaim your calm.

11/18/2025

Ready to find your calm? 🧘‍♀️ My new video guides you through “Box Breathing,” a simple yet powerful technique for managing anxiety. This exercise can help reduce stress hormones and bring your nervous system into balance, leaving you feeling more centered. Watch the video and click the link in my bio to learn how Box Breathing can help get you through the holidays in my latest blog post “Finding Peace at the Table: Navigating Holiday Gatherings with Healthy Boundaries!”

11/12/2025

Feeling the holiday stress creeping in? 😅 You’re not alone! While family gatherings should be a source of connection, they can sometimes feel like a pressure cooker, pulling us back into old roles we’ve outgrown.

This is why Healthy Boundaries are your superpower for finding peace at the holiday table. They are an act of self-respect that lets you show up authentically without sacrificing your mental health.

Our latest article is your essential blueprint for navigating this season. It breaks down the 3 P’s for setting proactive boundaries:

* Plan Your Exit & Entry (Logistical)
* Pre-Script Your Responses (Conversational)
* Protect Your Emotional Energy (Emotional/Grey Rock)

🧘 Quick Stress Combat Tip:
Before you walk in (or when you need a 5-minute break), try Box Breathing to instantly regulate your nervous system:

* Breathe in for 4 seconds.
* Hold for 4 seconds.
* Exhale for 4 seconds.
* Hold for 4 seconds.

Repeat 3-4 times!

➡️ Tap the link in bio to read the full article: Finding Peace at the Table: Navigating Holiday Gatherings with Healthy Boundaries