- CBT informed
- Client-centered
- Solution-focused
About Kristen
Kristen Zavala is a licensed counselor who focuses on helping people manage anxiety, panic, and the heavy feelings that come with life changes. She holds LPCC and LPC credentials and has ten years of experience working with people facing trauma, grief, and mood concerns.
Kristen keeps sessions straightforward and focused. She listens first, then helps people set small, clear goals. She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to identify unhelpful thoughts and on client-centered work to keep conversations grounded in each person's needs.
Over the years she has supported people dealing with social anxiety, isolation, and relationship strain. She also works with clients navigating gender questions, sexual assault recovery, fertility challenges, and complications from domestic violence. Panic disorder and panic attacks are listed among the concerns she addresses.
Her style is collaborative and practical. Kristen helps people build skills for managing intense feelings, improve day-to-day coping, and practice self-compassion. She often uses solution-focused techniques to break problems into steps clients can try between sessions.
Kristen practices in New Mexico and conducts sessions in English. She encourages people to take the first step when they feel ready and to bring immediate concerns into the room so they can be prioritized together.
How Kristen’s approaches translate to online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to each person's needs, so sessions prioritize the client's concerns and pace. This approach helps people feel heard while they work through anxiety, identity questions, grief, or relationship strain.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. CBT is often used for anxiety, panic attacks, mood concerns, and social phobia by teaching skills people can practice between sessions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kristen will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress is made. Clients set priorities and try short exercises or strategies together to see what helps.
Confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit care into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time for appointments. Licensed professionals can use these formats to help people practice coping skills, track progress, and follow up on homework without requiring an in-person visit.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
New Mexico, Texas
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Kristen commonly address?
She works with anxiety, panic disorder and panic attacks, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, and related issues such as social anxiety, isolation, and self-esteem.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?
Her approach is collaborative and practical, mixing client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral techniques and solution-focused steps to create manageable goals.
What kind of experience does she bring to sessions?
She has ten years of clinical experience supporting people through mood concerns, trauma recovery, panic, and other emotional challenges.
Where does she practice and what credentials does she hold?
She practices in New Mexico and holds LPCC and LPC credentials, listed as NM LPCC and TX LPC.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does cost and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to start a session?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.