Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Guerrero.
Hi Zachary, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started New Leaf Wellness Therapy from a really personal place. As I was going through my training and early clinical work, I kept noticing the same pattern so many teens and young adults, especially those navigating trauma, identity, or feeling “different,” didn’t feel fully understood in traditional therapy spaces. There was often a gap between what they needed and what they were getting.
That led me to become really intentional about how I show up as a therapist. I was drawn to more relational and somatic approaches like NARM and IFS because they go beyond just managing symptoms. They help people understand themselves, regulate their emotions, and actually feel safe in their own bodies and relationships.
I started New Leaf as a way to create the kind of space I felt was missing. Something that feels genuine, affirming, and especially supportive for LGBTQ+ clients, teens, and young adults working through trauma or identity development. It’s fully online, so I can reach clients across Texas who might not have access to that kind of care locally.
Where I am now, I feel like I’ve really refined my focus. My work centers on helping people who are high-functioning on the outside but struggling internally. Whether that’s trauma, emotional regulation, or figuring out who they are and how they relate to others. And I also do a lot of work supporting parents, especially those navigating how to show up for their gender-diverse kids.
Overall, New Leaf has grown into something that feels really aligned with both my clinical values and the kind of impact I want to have. And that’s helping people feel more connected to themselves and more secure in who they are.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a practice, especially early in my career, came with a lot of uncertainty. One of the biggest challenges was building something from the ground up without a built-in referral stream. There were moments where I had to sit with not knowing how quickly things would grow or how consistent the caseload would be.
I also had to learn the business side of things pretty quickly: marketing, SEO, networking, and how to actually reach the clients I wanted to serve. That was a learning curve, especially while also continuing to grow clinically.
Another piece was getting really clear on my niche. Early on, I was trying to speak to too many populations, and it wasn’t until I narrowed my focus to working with teens, young adults, LGBTQ+ clients, and trauma where things started to feel more aligned and sustainable.
I think one of the more personal challenges has been balancing being a clinician and a business owner. There’s a level of emotional investment in both, and learning how to manage my energy, set boundaries, and stay grounded has been really important.
But overall, those challenges have actually shaped how I work now. They’ve made me more intentional, more focused, and more confident in the kind of space I’m creating and the clients I’m best suited to help.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about New Leaf Wellness?
New Leaf Wellness Therapy is a fully online private practice serving clients across Texas. I specialize in working with teens and young adults who are navigating trauma, identity development, and emotional regulation, with a strong focus on LGBTQ+ clients and families. A big part of my work also involves supporting parents, especially those who are trying to show up well for their gender-diverse or struggling teen but feel unsure how to do that.
What really sets my practice apart is the approach I take. I use relational and somatic models like NARM and IFS, which means we’re not just talking through problems. The goal is to help clients understand the deeper patterns behind their experiences, build emotional regulation, and feel more connected to themselves. A lot of my clients are high-functioning on the outside but internally feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, and that’s where this kind of work is especially impactful.
I’m also very intentional about creating a space that feels genuine and affirming. Many of my clients come in having felt misunderstood or like they had to filter themselves in other environments. My goal is to offer a space where they don’t have to do that. They can show up fully and feel met in a real way.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is how aligned everything feels. From the messaging to the niche to the way I work with clients, it all reflects a clear focus: helping people feel more secure in who they are and more connected in their relationships. It’s not just about symptom relief. It’s about deeper, long-term change.
What I’d want readers to know is that New Leaf is a place for people who may look like they’re “doing fine” but know something deeper isn’t working. Whether it’s trauma, identity, or relationships, this is a space to slow down, understand what’s really going on, and start creating change that actually lasts.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I think the biggest thing I’d want readers to know is that if you’re struggling, especially if you look “fine” on the outside, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. A lot of the people I work with are used to holding everything together for everyone else, and therapy can be one of the first places they get to actually slow down and be supported.
I also want to normalize that therapy doesn’t have to feel cold, clinical, or disconnected. The relationship matters, and feeling safe enough to be real matters. When that’s there, real change becomes possible.
And for parents, especially those supporting teens or gender-diverse kids, you don’t have to have all the answers to be a good support. Being open, willing to learn, and showing up with care goes a long way.
At the end of the day, my hope with New Leaf is that people leave not just feeling better, but feeling more like themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.newleafwellnesstherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/new_leafwellness/
Image Credits
Maia Tharp
