Find a therapist in Durango, CO — covered by insurance

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.

I know that reaching out for help takes courage — and I want to make that process as simple and comfortable as possible. My practice focuses on anxiety, depression, and addiction, and I believe real progress happens when you feel heard and respected every step of the way. I take time to understand what's going on in your life before we talk about next steps, whether that's medication, therapy, or both. My goal is to give you clear information and practical support so you feel more in control of your mental health.

Hi, my name is Rachael and I have 20+ years of experience working with children / teens / adults as a Licensed Professional Counselor, providing mental health and substance abuse therapy services. My background includes individual and group therapy in home-based settings, schools, inpatient/residential facilities, and various correctional environments. I currently offer telehealth therapy services throughout the State of Colorado.

My priority is to provide a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you feel heard, respected, and supported. With over 40 years in healthcare—including service as a former Navy Nurse Corps Officer and retired military veteran—I bring values of resilience, trust, and teamwork into every therapeutic relationship. I view care as a partnership and work to empower you to take an active role in your mental health.

Clinical Focus & Services

I provide pharmacotherapy (medication management) motivational interviewing, and other therapeutic modalities. We can assess during the first meeting if your treatment requires additional therapeutic support. I will provide a referral to a licensed therapist to ensure you receive comprehensive care. My practice supports:

• ADHD (I am an ADHD Certified Clinical Support Provider)
• College students with focus/concentration concerns,school overload, or interrelationship difficulties
• OCD
• Anxiety & Stress
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Trauma
• Mild to Moderate Depression
• Interrelationship issues
• Smoking cessation
• Gambling addiction
• Shop lifting addiction
• Smoking Cessation
• Alcohol Addiction

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 Colorado‐licensed therapist with over 20 years of experience helping people move through life’s hardest moments. I work with a calm, steady presence and a deep respect for each person’s story. My style is warm, direct, and grounded in real‐world experience. I care about creating a space where you feel understood, supported, and never judged. My goal is to help you feel stronger, clearer, and more connected to yourself.

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.

I have 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field and supporting clients with evidence based skills and lived experience. Together we can explore your goals, struggles and successes. I specialize in anxiety, depression, substance use/misuse issues, stress and life transitions. My main approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Motivational techniques to help guide your self discovery. Professionals looking to navigate work related demands, I provide coaching and direction to maximize professional and leadership skills to meet your potential. We will work at your comfort level in a supportive environment of exploration and change.