Licensed to practice in North Carolina and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Emotional Regulation, Burnout and 5 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi there, I'm Zakiera. I’m a compassionate and down-to-earth Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina. I believe therapy works best as a collaborative partnership where you feel heard, understood, and respected. I enjoy working with high-achieving, over-functioning adults navigating anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and the pressure to constantly do more. My goal is to provide a supportive, judgment-free space where you can slow down, explore what’s beneath the surface, and focus on your well-being without feeling the need to have everything figured out.
Our first session is a warm, welcoming space where you can simply show up as you are. We'll talk through what has been feeling the heaviest lately and look at what you hope to gain from therapy. There is absolutely no pressure to have everything figured out or to share more than you feel ready to. My only priority is to listen with compassion and ensure you feel safe, comfortable, and truly heard from day one.
I bring warmth, authenticity, and a strong ability to build genuine rapport with individuals. I work to create a trusting, judgment-free space where you can feel comfortable being open and understood. I believe growth requires more than feeling support, so I’m willing to thoughtfully, yet gently, challenge patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that may be holding you back. Together, we’ll identify your strengths, clarify your goals, and develop practical strategies that promote meaningful progress and lasting change.
I work well with high-achieving individuals who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, or the pressure to manage everything on their own. They may struggle with overthinking, people-pleasing, setting boundaries, or feeling that they are never doing enough. My ideal clients are self-aware and motivated for change, but may need support slowing down, prioritizing themselves, and breaking patterns of over-functioning. In therapy, they want practical tools to reduce stress, build healthier boundaries, strengthen self-compassion, and develop a more balanced, values-driven life.
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you change how you respond to difficult thoughts and emotions rather than feeling like you have to get rid of them first. Together, we’ll learn to notice unhelpful thoughts without automatically believing them, make space for uncomfortable emotions, and identify what truly matters to you. From there, we’ll focus on making choices that align with your values instead of being driven by anxiety, perfectionism, guilt, or the pressure to please others. The goal is to help you feel less controlled by your thoughts and emotions and more confident in creating a life that feels meaningful and true to you.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Together, we’ll identify patterns of thinking that may be contributing to anxiety, stress, or self-criticism and work on developing more balanced and helpful ways of thinking. We’ll also focus on practical changes you can make in your everyday life, such as setting boundaries, managing stress, and responding differently to situations that feel overwhelming. The goal is to help you feel more in control, build confidence in handling challenges, and develop healthier patterns that support your overall well-being.
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you better understand and manage strong emotions, handle stress more effectively, and improve your relationships. Together, we’ll build practical skills for staying grounded during difficult moments, communicating your needs, setting healthy boundaries, and responding to challenging situations without becoming overwhelmed. We’ll also work on accepting yourself as you are while building the skills needed to create meaningful change. The goal is to help you feel more confident managing emotions, navigating relationships, and responding to life’s challenges in healthier, more intentional ways.
I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help you face fears, worries, or uncomfortable thoughts without relying on habits or behaviors that temporarily make you feel better but keep anxiety going. Together, we’ll gradually and intentionally practice facing what feels difficult while learning that you can tolerate discomfort and uncertainty without needing to avoid, check, reassure, or control everything. We’ll move at a pace that feels manageable and focus on building confidence in your ability to handle anxiety. The goal is to help you feel less controlled by fear and more free to live your life without anxiety making the decisions for you.
I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help you focus on where you want to go rather than only on what feels wrong. Together, we’ll identify your goals, recognize the strengths and resources you already have, and explore what is working. We’ll look for practical steps that can help you create meaningful change and build on the progress you’re already making. The goal is to help you feel more hopeful, capable, and confident while moving toward the life you want.