Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Waco, TX covered by United Healthcare

Michael M. Zavala, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC is a Texas and New Mexico based Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner focused on holistic integrative psychiatry.

I help adults experiencing obesity, anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, and burnout/moral injury rediscover their sense of excitement and engagement with work, loved ones, and life by offering a specialized approach for those motivated to uncover the root cause of their symptoms, with medication as an option, NOT the only option.

I'm a licensed clinical social worker and therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children, teens, and adults. I'm passionate about supporting people in navigating life's storms, connecting with what matters most to them, and living meaningful, fulfilling lives.

I especially enjoy working with:

• New mothers and parents of all genders in nurturing their own well being through the world-upending transition to parenthood
• Parents at all stages facing the myriad pressures and stressors of modern life
• Adolescents and young adults navigating growth, change, and identity exploration

Hello and welcome—I'm so glad you're here.

My name is Shanna Gardner, LPC-S, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. I'm deeply passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and discover a sense of peace, purpose, and emotional wellness.

I believe that therapy should be a space where you feel safe, heard, and truly understood. Whether you're dealing with overwhelming stress, navigating a tough life transition, or managing symptoms of anxiety or depression, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

My primary goal is to provide a helping hand to clients in need. Clients will find that I am able to listen and provide helpful strategies to help navigate through whatever journey they find themselves on. Whether it be a young child, adolescent, or adult, I am able to keep them at the center of the therapeutic process and help them discover peace and purpose.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Houston and obtained a Masters of Education in Counselor Education from the University of St. Thomas. I was an educator for 13 years including 5 as a school counselor/administrator.

As a school counselor, I have assisted students with disabilities, trauma, mood and personality disorders. I have also worked with parents who find themselves in a cycle that they feel cannot be broken. My intention is to help clients identify hurts, hang-ups, and habits that keep them from living to their full potential and work through them.

I am EMDR trained and provide trauma informed care. I have also utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and various interventions from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to treat clients with anxiety, depression, and self-harming behaviors.

Whatever it is you are facing, I am willing to listen and provide sound care. As a fellow human, I understand the needs that can arise from trauma, hurt, and misunderstanding. If you are in need of an ear to hear and a heart to care, please contact me. I am here to help.

As a certified school counselor, teacher and a licensed professional counselor, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in one’s life. I’ve been working with children and adults for 20 years, advocating and improving the mental health of children and adults. In the last five years I have shifted my focus to clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression and families who are in crisis.

Do you constantly worry? Do you overthink plans and solutions to worst-case outcomes so that you feel prepared? Does everything have to be done perfectly? Do you have difficulty handling uncertainty? Do you fear making the wrong decision? Do you feel restless? Having difficulty with sleep? Do you move from relationship to relationship? I specialize in helping those suffering from anxiety, including health care professionals and veterans. You don't have to continue suffering. As a seasoned therapist, I can help empower you to stop the cycle of worry and anxiety, find your sense of purpose, become the best version of yourself, and reclaim your life.

Viktor Frankl said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation -we are challenged to change ourselves." He really knew what he was talking about. Each life transition inevitably forces us to navigate "stormy waters." If the challenge has become overwhelming, reach out and give me a call at 423-342-6422. Now seeing clients in Connecticut, Florida, South Carolina, and Texas.

I became a therapist to be safe space for people who didn't feel like they had one. I earned my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy so I could be equipped to help couples navigate their struggles and be that safe space for anyone who needed it. No one should feel like they have to do life alone.