Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Durango, CO

My primary focus is working with adolescents, families, and adults, though I have a range of experience working with people of all ages and many different demographics. In particular, I have a strong background in working with at-risk youth, kinship caregivers, and foster/adoptive families. I also have a background of working with young adults transitioning to independent living, as well as adults of all ages.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Colorado, and have been practicing as a therapist since 2022. Prior to this, I worked with youth, adults, and families in a variety of case management roles, including in schools, domestic violence shelters, shelters for those without housing, and families experiencing various systems involvement. This has given me an understanding of the many challenges life can bring, and equipped me with the tools to support you in navigating various barriers and difficulties.

Are you overwhelmed by the stress and chaos life can bring and don't know where to start? Maybe your alcohol or drug use is negatively impacting your life. Are you wanting support for recent or past trauma? Maybe, you simply want to become a better version of yourself and want someone to help guide you. My name is Chelsea and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in the state of Colorado.

My experience includes working at a domestic violence shelter, a college counseling center, a county jail, and outpatient treatment center. I recently helped create an Intensive Outpatient Program for Substance Use Disorders, the highest level of care in Southwest Colorado. My top treatment interests include Drug and Alcohol Abuse or Substance Use Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, ADD & ADHD, Trauma & PTSD, life transitions, work & school stress, and burnout.

Therapy with me helps you to feel different, not just to think different. I work with people looking to shift at the core. I am your collaborator in accessing more resilient states and to discover more ease in your daily life.

People who seek me out tend to be: teachers, queer folks, quarterlifers (ages 20-40), first responders, therapists, snow & avalanche workers, guides, outdoor educators, nonprofit employees, athletes ... and may be looking for help with trauma (childhood & event specific), outdoor accidents, grief & loss, chronic pain, relationship challenges, life transitions, identity exploration, & ongoing resilience support

Welcome, and thanks for reaching out. I hope you, your family and friends are safe and healthy.

I have a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Naropa University. I've completed trainings in Traumatic Stress Studies, Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and I am a Level II Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy counselor. I have additional trainings in Nonviolent Communication, suicide awareness, body-centered psychotherapy and more.

My journey towards therapy started in the forests on the Pacific Crest Trail and in the San Juan Mountains as a Wilderness Therapy Guide. I was entranced by people's stories that landed them on the trail, as well as by their takes on life. I decided to get my Master's in Counseling at Adam's State University so that I could professionally hear people's stories. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado. I have experience working with families and individuals ages 12+. I am passionate about helping people manage chronic stress that seems inevitable in the current world we live in.

I specialize in working with anxiety, trauma, PTSD, identity exploration, family dynamics, depression, stress, and relationship challenges.

I also support clients navigating creative blocks, life transitions, cultural identity, and the emotional effects of childhood experiences. Many of the individuals I work with describe feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to put their experiences into words — and that’s okay. Healing isn’t about perfection or having a polished story. It’s about beginning where you are.

My journey into becoming a therapist began well before I was born — shaped by the inheritance of generational mental health patterns within my family. As a teenager, I turned to art-making as a way to express and process what I didn’t yet have language for. That process sparked curiosity and eventually led me to explore psychology, anthropology, indigenous healing traditions, and later, art therapy as a modality that honors both mind and body.

Hello! Nice to meet you! I am a board-certified, Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience. I specialize in child/teen therapy and improving family communication. I enjoy helping people look at challenges in different ways. I am a member of a certified therapy dog team with my Corgi, Olive. I am also a Global Career Development Facilitator and enjoy coaching people through transitions.