Our Counselors

​Debbie Hamilton, MA, LPC, Executive Director
Hi, my name is Debbie Hamilton. I am a licensed professional counselor with the State of AK. I worked as a Social Worker in a Foster Family agency for 7 years in CA and have worked as a counselor in AK since 2001. I am the Executive Director of New Hope Counseling Center.
My experience includes but is not limited to, issues related to: sexual abuse, chemical dependency, grief and loss, family, and spiritual matters.
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Executive Director and Licensed Professional Counselor: Debbie Hamilton, M.A., LPC #366 (2003) • B.A. Psychology, California State University, Sacramento 1988 • M.A. Counseling Psychology, California State University, Sacramento 1994 • Certificates; Basic Biblical Counseling, NYM Ministries (2004-05) • Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor, American Association of Christian Counselors
Ted Mole, M.Div., M.A., L.P.C., C.D.
Hi, my name is Ted Mole. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with the State of Alaska. My areas of interest in counseling include, but are not limited to family and marriage counseling, trauma/crisis counseling, sexual or physical abuse issues, chemical dependency, ADD, anxiety, depression, and spiritual concerns. I work with children, teens and adults.

Licensed Counselor: Ted Mole, M. Div., M.A., LPC #736 (2011) M.Div. Denver Seminary in Intercultural Studies, 1994; M.A. Clinical Psychology, Wheaton College Graduate School, 2009. Certified Anger Management Specialist II, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor-I, nationally certified Master Addict
Peggy Barkman, MA, LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor
*tele-behavioral health only
Hi, my name is Peggy Barkman. I am a licensed professional counselor with the State of Alaska. I hold a Master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.
My experience includes, but is not limited to, issues related to: sexual abuse, chemical dependency, grief and loss, family, and spiritual matters.

• Licensed Counselor: Peggy Barkman, M.A., LPC #722 (2011) M.A. Professional Counseling 2007 • Assistant Director of NHCC
Jimmy Ward, M.Div., M.S
Hi. My name is Jimmy Ward. I am a Master level counselor with a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling with a concentration in marriage and family. I also have a Master of Divinity degree. I am a retired army chaplain with 22 years of military experience that included soldiers and their families on a variety of counseling issues. I have 5 years of post-army retirement experience as a substance abuse and addiction counselor. My counseling experience includes but is not limited to issues of grief and loss, domestic abuse, marriage and family, trauma and post trauma, anxiety, depression, and spiritual issues. I am a counselor under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor here at New Hope Counseling Center.

​M.Div. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX, 1988 M.S. Columbus State University, Columbus, GA, 2005 Certificates: Couples Communication Instructor Certificate, Couples Communication, 2005 Suicide Intervention: Menninger Clinic, Topeka KS, 1992; Applied Suicide Intervention Strategies Techniques (ASIST), Columbus, GA, 2003 and 2004; Marriage Prep Instructor Certificate & Marriage Preparation (P.I.C.K). Certificate, 2004; Family Wellness 
Lydia Koch, MA
My name is Lydia Koch, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. My philosophy in a nutshell is Psalm 23:4-5: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid…You have anointed my head with oil.” I counsel children 12 and over, teens, adults, and couples. I am committed to ethical practice within the boundaries of my competence and pursue ongoing education and consultation on a regular basis.

I graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor’s degree in 2018. Professional Counseling Licensure in May 2022. Continued training in counseling skills including, but not limited to: Polyvagal Informed Approaches, Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders, Body Shaming, Trauma treatment Interventions, ADHA, and Pre-marriage SYMBIS Assessments.

Certifications and Affiliations: National Certified Counselor, American Association of Christian Counselors
Gary Hondel
Hi, my name is Gary Hondel. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota and relocated to Alaska in 1992. I have spent the majority of my time in the local radio industry, but felt a calling to counsel individuals, and decided to return to college to earn a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University; which I am currently working toward completion of through training at New Hope Counseling Center, under the supervision of Ted Mole, M& M.Div., LPC.

​ln 2003, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage. I am married, with two daughters. Through personal life experiences, I have had exposure to such issues as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse, and diabetes.