Find a psychiatrist in Salida, CO — covered by insurance

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.

Looking for expert telepsychiatry and online psychiatric medication management? Samz Mental Health provides compassionate, convenient, and confidential mental health care across Texas, New York, Maryland, Colorado, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Florida, Iowa, and Washington State. Our board-certified psychiatric providers specialize in treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more—all through secure online appointments.

Serving major areas, including Austin, Texas, our behavioral health medication management clinic ensures you receive personalized care from the comfort of your home. Get started today with reliable and accessible mental health services!

📅 Book an appointment now! Same day appointment available, 9am to 9pm central time

Understanding Your Issues:

I understand that every individual is unique, and your concerns are as individual as you are. Whether you're grappling with anxiety, depression.

I am a dual board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner committed to supporting your mental wellness. I help children, teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, mood disorders and ADHD.

I completed my training at Case Western Reserve University, and I went on to complete additional certification at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

I aim to create a safe space where you feel heard and empowered. I would love to assist you on your path to growing, as we work together to achieve personalized, goals that promote positive outcomes.

Finding mental health care can be daunting. Often individuals come to me confused about what they are feeling, why they are feeling that way, and how to make change. This process can be even more confusing if you come from a marginalized community or have felt othered in ways that make you question your intuition. I want to take the time and care necessary to get to the heart of what makes you who you are. The details of what you are experiencing matter. The only way I can help is if I truly understand.

A little bit about me:

I moved to Denver in the summer of 2020 having spent most of my life as a northern Californian.

My earlier experiences working in behavioral research on HIV prevention led me to a career in nursing. I attended the University of CA - San Francisco where I finished my master’s degree in nursing in 2008. I trained both as an adult primary care nurse practitioner and also as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, which was particularly helpful when starting my first nursing job in a very busy ED in Washington DC. There I found myself gravitating towards psychiatric care and decided to practice mental health care exclusively.

Since that time I have worked in mental health in various roles and settings, both inpatient and outpatient, in high acuity contexts as well as in primary care and prevention. I gained experience working with medically complicated/fragile patients and those with co-occurring substance use disorders. I've provided integrated behavioral health care to adult outpatients attending primary care clinics in CA, working closely with MDs, NPs and others, and across various specialties, in order to increase utilization and improve outcomes in behavioral health care. This work led me to my current interest in caring for healthcare providers themselves, whose mental health can often go overlooked.

Hi, I’m Jason RItenour, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. At Vital Mind Wellness, I provide personalized mental health care that is compassionate, evidence-based, and tailored to your unique needs. Through the convenience of telehealth, I provide care that respects your privacy and individuality while helping you build the tools for lasting wellness. My goal is to walk alongside you, offering guidance and encouragement as you work toward a healthier, more balanced life.