Grief counselors and therapists in Colorado Springs, CO

Hello, I'm Liz! I have over 5 years of experience working inpatient, outpatient, and varying levels of severity. I enjoy getting to know people and be an extra ear to their troubles. I can be sarcastic at times, and consider myself a person talking to people!

My journey began with a deep commitment to serving others, which led me to work within the Georgia state prison system. There, I honed my skills in providing support to those navigating difficult circumstances, gaining invaluable experience in crisis intervention and rehabilitation.

Following my time working in the prison system, I had the privilege of working with the U.S. Army, where I provided counseling services to military personnel and their families. As a military spouse myself, I understand the unique challenges faced by military families and am deeply committed to offering tailored support to help them thrive.

My career path then took me to Palmer Lake Recovery, where I worked with individuals struggling with addiction. This role allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the complexities of substance abuse and recovery, and I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve lasting sobriety.

Outside of my professional life, I find joy in spending time with my husband, sweet cocker spaniels, and my adult children. My family and pets bring me great happiness and balance, and I understand the importance of a strong support system in maintaining mental health.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and support you on your journey toward wellness. Together, we can navigate the challenges you face and uncover the strength within you to create a fulfilling and meaningful life.

I have been practicing 25 years. I have walked the path of life and its difficulties through lived experience

I believe meaningful change begins with feeling understood. As both a therapist and Air Force veteran, I value authenticity, resilience, and the importance of genuine human connection. Clients often describe me as approachable, thoughtful, and direct when needed. I strive to create a space where you can show up as you are and feel supported as you work toward your goals.

I work with adults and older teens navigating addiction, trauma, co-occurring mental health concerns, and life transitions. I am experienced in supporting veterans, first responders, and those impacted by a loved one's substance use. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply ready for change, my goal is to help you better understand your experiences and move forward with greater confidence.

I'm Nicole Shelton, a double board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner (APRN, PMHNP, FNP). My experience in ICU and the ER informs my holistic approach to care. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, substance use, and trauma across the lifespan. As a military wife and mother, I emphasize lifestyle balance, encouraging patients to integrate nutrition and exercise. I am dedicated to breaking mental health stigma and advocating for veterans and those impacted by trauma, ensuring you feel seen, supported, and empowered on your journey.

I am excited to work with folks 12+ who don't want therapy to feel like a doctor's office. I have experience working with anxiety, low self-esteem, disconnection, and trauma, as well as folks navigating difficult diagnoses and changing life circumstances that leave them feeling stuck, afraid, or alone.

As a man who has been deeply affected and healed by counseling, I get the need and role of counseling firsthand. This is why I love counseling: I believe humans were created to share their stories and to work through difficulties together. Counseling is my life’s passion. I am truly honored and delighted to now walk alongside others in dark places toward durable hope and lasting change.

I am personally acquainted with the pain of grief. After the loss of my mother to suicide, I began a counseling journey that revealed many unexplored areas in my life that needed compassion and care. These experiences have brought me face to face with life’s difficulties.

I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO) in Foreign Area Studies (Russia and Eastern Europe). After graduation, I worked as a military aviator and US Air Force Officer in domestic and international locations. I returned to graduate school to pursue a Master’s of Arts in Counseling and a Master’s of Divinity at Covenant Theological Seminary. Over the years, as a counselor, I have worked in a community-based counseling center, as a staff counselor for a church counseling center, and I am now in independent practice, working with men, veterans, couples, and families navigating trauma and PTSD, and the many ups and downs of life.

I have traveled throughout the world during my Air Force career. Seeing the many ways humans experience the world, in all its pain and joy, has only increased my passion to care for others. From working with teenagers and their struggles to individuals seeking hope to the married couple with decades of experience to everyone in between. I love working with people who are struggling and want change.

We all have a manual that I call a life manual. This life manual was created over time from childhood experiences, transitions, emotional reactions, attachments, and traumatic events that may have occurred. When we meet someone, whether it be a co-worker, barista, or significant relationship, we continually respond and react from the frame work of our own life manual. Sometimes, that manual has created unhealthy reactions and expectations; the patterns that emerge leave us feeling lost or unfulfilled. Good news: You can create new patterns and start re-writing that manual for a healthy future.

My passion has always been to empower others to live their fullest, most authentic lives. I believe that each of us holds the strength, wisdom, and resilience we need within—we simply need the space, support, and encouragement to uncover it. I’m driven by a deep desire to help others overcome self-doubt, reconnect with their inner voice, and build a life aligned with their values, passions, and purpose.

Hello, and thank you for stopping by! Whether you’re new to therapy or looking for a fresh start, I’m glad you’re here. I believe healing begins with feeling genuinely seen, heard, and understood. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado with training in EMDR, I provide a warm, collaborative space where you can explore your experiences, process life’s challenges, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.

I believe therapy is a collaborative process, and my role is to walk alongside you as you explore your story, identify your strengths, and create meaningful change. Together, we’ll work to understand the experiences that have shaped you, build self-compassion, and develop tools to help you navigate challenges with greater confidence and clarity. Whether we meet virtually or in person, I strive to create a space where you can show up as your authentic self without fear of judgment. We’ll move at a pace that feels right for you, honoring both the growth and the difficult moments along the way.

My approach is person-centered and strength-based, drawing from evidence-based approaches including EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, perfectionism, burnout, trauma, life transitions, identity exploration, and healing from emotionally critical or invalidating environments.

Many of the clients I work with are thoughtful, driven individuals who may feel overwhelmed by the expectations they place on themselves or who are struggling to reconnect with who they are beneath the pressure, stress, or experiences that have shaped them. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and therapy can be a place to better understand yourself, strengthen your relationship with yourself, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling.