Krista Zahron, MA, LLC | Anxiety, Trauma & Therapist in Grand Rapids, MI

Krista Zahron is a licensed therapist in Grand Rapids, Michigan specializing in trauma therapy, anxiety, women’s mental health, relationship issues, and life transitions. She works with teens and adults struggling with overwhelm, burnout, self-esteem, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and emotional regulation.

About Me

I am a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLC) with a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Oakland University. I work with individuals seeking support as they navigate stress, emotional challenges, and life transitions. I value creating a space that feels safe, calm, and nonjudgmental — a place where you can show up as you are and feel truly heard. My work is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect, and I believe meaningful change happens when people feel supported, understood, and empowered in their own process.

My Approach

My approach is thoughtful, collaborative, and tailored to each person’s unique needs. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, coping-skills–based strategies, and somatic (body-based) practices to support emotional regulation, reduce distress, and build insight and resilience.

I primarily work with adults who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected, and who are looking for support in navigating emotions, relationships, and life transitions. My areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, relationship challenges, and life transitions.

In our work together, we gently explore what’s been feeling stuck or challenging, tune into what your mind and body are communicating, and build tools that support you in feeling more grounded, aware, and kind toward yourself.

Why I Became a Counselor

I became a counselor because I genuinely value human connection and the courage it takes to be vulnerable and seek support. I am continually inspired by people’s capacity for growth, healing, and self-understanding, even during difficult or uncertain times. My role is not to “fix,” but to walk alongside you — offering support, perspective, and a steady space to explore what matters to you and what you want your life to feel like.

How Do I Know If I Have Trauma?

Trauma is not defined only by catastrophic events. Trauma can develop from any experience that felt overwhelming, frightening, unsafe, emotionally painful, or repeatedly invalidating — especially when a person did not have enough support to process it at the time.

Some common signs of unresolved trauma include:

• Feeling constantly anxious or “on edge”
• Difficulty trusting others
• Emotional numbness or disconnection
• Strong reactions that feel bigger than the situation
• Panic attacks or chronic worry
• Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
• Avoiding certain people, places, or memories
• Feeling unsafe even when things seem okay
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Low self-worth or shame
• People-pleasing or fear of rejection
• Feeling stuck in survival mode
• Flashbacks or intrusive memories

Sometimes people say:

• “I don’t think my experiences were bad enough to count as trauma.”
• “Nothing major happened, but I still struggle.”
• “I can’t explain why I react this way.”

Trauma is not about comparing experiences. It is about how experiences impacted your nervous system, emotions, relationships, and sense of safety.

A therapist trained in trauma-informed care can help you better understand whether past experiences may still be affecting you today.

What Is Therapy for Anxiety Like?

Therapy for anxiety is not about “just calming down” or being told to think positively. Effective anxiety therapy helps you understand the underlying patterns driving worry, fear, overwhelm, panic, or overthinking while building tools to feel more grounded and in control.

In therapy for anxiety, you may:

• Explore what triggers your anxiety
• Learn coping skills for panic and overwhelm
• Identify thought patterns that increase anxiety
• Improve emotional regulation
• Work through underlying trauma or chronic stress
• Learn nervous system calming techniques
• Practice healthier boundaries and communication
• Address perfectionism or people-pleasing tendencies
• Build confidence and self-trust

Therapy sessions are collaborative and personalized. Some sessions may focus on practical coping strategies, while others may explore deeper emotional experiences contributing to anxiety.

Many clients describe anxiety therapy as helping them:

• Feel less emotionally exhausted
• Stop overthinking constantly
• Feel calmer in relationships
• Sleep better
• Experience fewer panic symptoms
• Feel more present and connected in daily life

Therapy can also help people recognize that anxiety is not a personal failure — it is often the nervous system’s response to stress, overwhelm, or unresolved emotional experiences.