

I have a sincere appreciation for being the kind of Human others feel safe, seen, and heard by. I believe in the power of genuine connection, where your authentic Self is welcomed, valued, and supported. My approach is holistic, rooted in existential and humanistic perspectives, and guided by your unique values, lived experiences, and the interconnectedness of your mind, body, and spirit. I hold space for reflection, curiosity, and meaning, to explore your inner truths, deepen self-awareness, understand and navigate your emotions, and reconnect with the parts of you that may have been forgotten or silenced.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent nine years as a teacher, where I discovered how powerful compassion, patience, and understanding can be in helping others grow. Later, my work in psychiatric and residential treatment settings gave me the opportunity to walk alongside individuals and families during some of their most difficult moments. Those experiences shaped me into the therapist I am today—someone who values safety, trust, and genuine human connection above all else.
Working in treatment centers taught me how to meet people exactly where they are, without judgment. I learned to listen deeply, to hold space for pain, and to help others find calm and strength even when life feels overwhelming. These experiences strengthened my ability to support clients through trauma, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem challenges, and to help them rediscover their resilience and sense of empowerment.
My approach is holistic and person-centered, and I strive to create a warm, nurturing environment where you feel safe to be yourself. Together, we’ll work at your own pace, exploring your story and building tools to help you heal, grow, and move toward a greater sense of peace and balance.
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.


Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.