Grief counselors and therapists in Thornton, CO

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 have found my own personal healing to be intimately connected to nature, and it is here that I believe that we can all begin to rediscover our intrinsic humanity and let go of those things that distract us from our higher selves. In my spare time, I work as an outdoor educator and manage my own private practice and guide Outdoor Retreats

I believe it is helpful and important to translate what is discussed in session and in telehealth meetings into lived experience and real change.

You might look like you have it together from the outside: steady job, functioning relationships, managing the day to day. But inside you're running on fumes, and you're tired of just pushing through. I work with young adults, college students, and adults navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, and the frustration of feeling stuck without knowing why. I'm also an Army veteran, and I bring firsthand experience of what pressure, resilience, and major transitions actually demand. If faith is part of how you make sense of life, it's welcome here. If it's not, that's fine too. Clients often tell me I'm surprisingly easy to talk to.

Welcome! I am a Latina, bilingual therapist based in Denver, CO passionate about trauma-informed care. I was born and raised on the border in El Paso, Texas. I received my Master of Social Work from the University of Denver following an academic career at Johns Hopkins where I majored in psychology and public health and received a Master of Health Science in Public Health.

I have worked at various levels of care (outpatient, IOP, and PHP) and have experience with several populations including: Latinx, unhoused youth, and youth experiencing first episode psychosis.

Starting therapy is a brave and meaningful step — especially when you come from a background where mental health wasn’t openly acknowledged or discussed. I understand the courage it can take to reach out for support, and I’m here to create a space where you feel seen, heard, safe, and respected. A space that honors your story, culture, identity, values, and all the experiences that have shaped who you are.

I work with children age 10 and up, adolescents, and adults, supporting clients through a wide range of challenges and life experiences. This may include anxiety, stress, emotional challenges, life transitions, trauma, relationship difficulties, parenting and family concerns, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. For children and teens, therapy can provide a safe place to express emotions, build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, navigate relationships, and better understand themselves. For adults, therapy can offer an opportunity to slow down, process what you’ve been carrying, break unhelpful patterns, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful change.