Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Pueblo, CO covered by Aetna

I take a fresh, integrative approach to individualized psychotherapy, tailoring my treatment approach to each client's unique needs and goals. My work is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps clients better understand and regulate their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and reactions.

I also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), helping clients develop greater acceptance of difficult emotions and circumstances that may be out of their control while taking meaningful action aligned with their personal values. With seven years of experience as a Group Facilitator and Individual Therapist in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I utilize evidence-based skills and mindfulness practices to help clients improve emotional regulation, increase self-awareness, and build resilience.

I was born in Colombia and moved to the U.S when I was 18. I have lived in Pueblo, CO since 2017. I attended University of Florida for my undergraduate and masters degrees. I am a Mindfulness Meditation certified teacher and currently finishing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy certification through DBT-Linehan board of Certification.

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 a double board-certified Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience across the continuum of psychiatric care, including acute psychiatric emergencies, inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, geriatric mental health, intellectual and developmental disability services, and healthcare management. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and am currently completing my Doctorate, reflecting my ongoing commitment to clinical excellence, evidence-based practice, and lifelong learning.

Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals and families navigating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, from situational anxiety and depression to severe and persistent mental illness. My clinical experience includes extensive work with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma-related conditions, and mood instability across the lifespan. I am particularly experienced in caring for geriatric patients, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and patients with complex medication regimens requiring careful evaluation, simplification, and long-term stabilization.

I also work closely with college-aged patients and adults who are navigating academic pressure, career transitions, family dynamics, identity development, and the cumulative stressors that can emerge during periods of high responsibility or change. Many of my patients are high-functioning individuals who appear “put together” on the outside but struggle internally with anxiety, rumination, intrusive thoughts, emotional dysregulation, or burnout. Others are managing chronic psychiatric illness while striving to maintain independence, relationships, and quality of life.

“I help people build lives—and careers—worth living.” I specialize in guiding clients through emotional intensity, identity disruption, and vocational misalignment. My approach blends DBT and Career Construction Theory with Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and evidence-based modalities rooted in meaning-making and personal agency.

Whether you're a teen navigating emotional intensity, an LGBTQ+ individual reclaiming identity amidst cultural stress, or a professional seeking to realign purpose, I offer a structured and symbolic space for change. Together, we illuminate archetypal patterns, deconstruct inherited narratives, and build lives anchored in values, clarity, and psychological flexibility.

I hold a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Social Work from Western Michigan University, equipping me with a strong foundation in clinical practice and social work principles.

My professional background as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker encompasses a diverse range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Biblical Christian Counseling, Problem-Solving Therapy (PST), Relational Therapy, Solution-Focused Couples Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Cognitive Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Family-Focused Therapy.

I am dedicated to providing tailored, compassionate care to male and female adults, as well as the geriatric population, addressing a wide spectrum of mental health, emotional, and relational needs to foster empowerment and well-being.

Hello. I am a clinical psychologist that has been practicing for ten plus years. I have had extensive training with evidence based trauma treatments.

At the heart of therapy is a simple, powerful goal: change. Whether you are looking to quiet anxiety, lift the weight of depression, or navigate the complexities of trauma, you are on a unique path toward your best life. While I can’t make those changes for you, I am deeply committed to walking alongside you. With compassion, dedication, and hard work, we will forge a path that helps you actualize the lasting growth you deserve.

Welcome. I'm Denise!

"I work with adults who are looking to take a holistic approach to managing their mental health".

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Addiction Counselor in the state of Colorado. I have 30 years of professional work experience in Behavioral Health and Recovery Services treating adults and families with a variety of presenting issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, coping with addictions, trauma, grief and loss, relationship issues, and career challenges. My experience is varied and across settings as I have provided individual therapy in a community health center, substance use treatment centers, employee assistance programs and mental health services in a hospital setting.