- LGBTQ related issues
- Self esteem and confidence
- Coping with life changes
About Zelma
Zelma Higgs is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with seven years of clinical experience in North Carolina. She works with young adults and other adults on concerns such as LGBTQ+ related issues, intimacy, parenting, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, coping with life changes, anxiety, stress, relationship strains, and mood concerns. Zelma’s background includes work across a range of emotional and practical problems, including grief, trauma, ADHD, and career-related stress.
In sessions she focuses on practical conversation and clear goals. She encourages people to name what feels most urgent and to try small steps that change daily life. Zelma listens for patterns in relationships, habits, and thinking, and then helps people test different ways of responding. She makes space for direct talk about intimacy, sexual culture concerns such as BDSM and kink, and caregiving stresses.
Her work also addresses family conflict, blended family issues, and communication problems without making assumptions about family roles. For people juggling long-term illness, chronic pain, or caregiver burnout, she helps prioritize tasks and coping strategies that reduce overwhelm. Zelma also supports people navigating moral or emotional struggles like guilt, forgiveness, and shame.
She brings experience working with first responder issues and compassion fatigue, as well as with clients managing bipolar or depression alongside everyday responsibilities. Zelma’s practice treats practical life problems alongside emotional healing. If someone is unsure where to start, she guides them toward a first goal and a short plan to try between sessions.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Zelma draws on evidence-based techniques that focus on changing unhelpful patterns and building concrete skills. One common approach helps people notice and shift thought patterns that increase anxiety or low mood, teaching practical exercises to test new ways of thinking and behaving. This can help with stress, depression, and feeling stuck in negative loops. Another approach emphasizes skill building for relationships and communication. It focuses on clear feedback, role practice, and learning new ways to express needs and set boundaries, which can help with intimacy issues, family conflict, and workplace communication problems. Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Zelma will work with the client to clarify goals, try approaches, and adjust methods based on what helps most. She frames decisions about techniques as experiments to see what fits the person’s life and aims. Practical benefits of working online include easier fitting of sessions into a busy schedule and fewer barriers to keeping appointments. If you are considering online work, confirm the session formats available before booking so you know how appointments are held. Online sessions can make it simpler to maintain momentum between meetings and to apply learned skills directly to daily routines.Areas of expertise
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Also works with
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Experience
7+ years
Listed in
North Carolina, Texas
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with for young adults?
She works with issues common in early adulthood such as anxiety, stress, relationship and intimacy concerns, self-esteem, career stress, and coping with life changes.
How would she approach therapy sessions?
She uses straightforward, goal-focused conversation and helps people set small practical steps to try between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
Zelma has seven years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and life concerns.
What are her credentials and location?
She holds LCMHC and LPC credentials and practices in North Carolina.
Can I work with her if I live outside the US?
She accepts international clients; sessions are offered in English.
Which session formats does she offer?
Session formats are not specified here, so confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.