Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Salida, CO

If you're looking for a therapist who is down to earth, easy to talk to, and genuinely in your corner, I'd love to work with you. After 11 years in the mental health field, I'm back in private practice, and I see teens, adults, and seniors across Colorado and Wisconsin by telehealth. People come to me carrying anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, grief, anger, stress that will not switch off, family and relationship strain, substance use, and the weight of a chronic health condition. Our time together will always be shaped around you and what you need.

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’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner who works from the belief that people are not broken—and that many of the struggles we call “mental illness” make sense when we look at trauma, context, and lived experience. I’m especially attuned to the ways mental health systems, stigma, and labels can unintentionally cause harm, and I aim to practice in a way that feels respectful, collaborative, and deeply human.

My approach is unconventional and trauma-informed, influenced by perspectives like those of Gabor Maté, which emphasize compassion, curiosity, and understanding symptoms as meaningful responses rather than defects. I do not believe in rushing to pathologize the human experience. As Joni Mitchell once reflected about depression, sometimes what we’re feeling is not an illness to be fixed, but a signal—an honest response to pain, loss, or a world that has not been kind.

My goal is to provide you with a safe, emotional space where you will feel comfortable, relaxed and know that you are being heard. I want you to be able to express yourself freely without any fear of judgement. Healing takes place when you are able to be open, honest and vulnerable. Throughout my practice, it has been an honor to help facilitate extraordinary transformation in the lives of my clients. Believe me when I say that, “Anything is possible,” as I have witnessed my clients overcome trauma, grief, depression, anxiety and hardcore drug addiction.

Often, our feelings of shame, hurt and fear rob us of the opportunity to experience true joy and fulfillment in our lives. Do you find yourself running from these feelings or always fighting against them? Instead, I can help you embrace them and work through them. It is through this process of transformation where you learn to find acceptance, meaning

and purpose in your life. This leads to living with self-authenticity, and this is when you experience true joy and fulfillment. I look forward to being your catalyst for change. Together, we will take this journey and progress at your own pace. I encourage you to take the first step and make an appointment. Your life is worth it!

Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, especially when you’ve spent a long time trying to manage everything on your own. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and supported without judgment. I believe therapy should be a place where you can be honest about what you’re experiencing while feeling empowered to make meaningful changes at your own pace.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, stress, and challenges related to substance use and recovery. I also have experience supporting military service members and their families and understand that the experiences that bring someone to therapy are often complex and deeply personal.

My approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that you are the expert on your own life. Rather than simply telling you what you should do, I work alongside you to understand where you are, identify what may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical tools that fit your life and your goals.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, anxious, or struggling to find balance in your daily life? You do not have to navigate it alone. I provide compassionate, personalized mental health care in a supportive and judgment-free environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

I try every day to be an authentic human who loves and respects the individuality of all other humans. Being a clinical social worker for 25 years, is reflected in my personal values and faith system. My goal is to spread kindness like confetti which has spanned serving in Baltimore, Jacksonville, Atlanta and Eagle County, CO. I have a solution focused mindset, believe in the mind body connection and giving ourselves grace. Life is not always easy and sometimes we need short term professional support, some sunshine, a deep breath, a 20 second hug and some new found eyes on the situation.

Clinical experience: 30+ years working with adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children specializing in trauma and co-occurring disorders with an integrative and holistic approach. Graduated from Saybrook University: Doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology (2010); Naropa University: Masters in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology & Art Therapy.

With an extensive background spanning the full continuum of care—from outpatient services to long-term inpatient mental health—I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals across a vast spectrum of life experiences. My professional journey has been shaped by the guidance of exceptional mentors and supervisors who have instilled in me a commitment to continuous growth as a provider.

I have had the privilege of serving a wide range of populations, including:

• Adolescent mothers and youth in the foster care system
• Individuals within youth corrections
• Military veterans and those navigating the complexities of post-service life
• Survivors of domestic violence in recovery
• The geriatric population and adults navigating significant life transitions

I believe that true healing and growth begin with authenticity. Long before it became a trending term, I sought to show up as my authentic self in every room—whether presenting to a leadership team in a government agency or sitting one-on-one with a client late into the evening.

My style is rooted in transparency. I recognize my own strengths and deficits, a practice that keeps me grounded and humble while giving me the confidence to face life’s most daunting challenges alongside my clients. I don’t believe in a "one-size-fits-all" approach; instead, I meet my clients exactly where they are, viewing them as the true experts of their own lives.

Everyone has a life story and every story is important. Are you feeling unsure, stuck, or lost in your life story? You don’t have to go through it alone. We can co-create achievable actions and goals leading to your happiness, hope, and healing. With over 20 years’ experience and training in multiple therapeutic approaches; progress can be rapid and lasting. Working with adults navigating disruptive thought patterns, confusing life circumstances, and past traumas.