Find a therapist in Durango, 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 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.

You look like you have it together—but inside, your relationship feels strained, communication breaks down, or anxiety and overthinking take over. Whether you’re a couple stuck in the same arguments, a teen struggling emotionally, or an adult feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to figure this out alone. I provide therapy in San Antonio for couples, teens, and adults who want real, lasting change. I specialize in “couples therapy,” “teen counseling,” and “therapy for anxiety and relationship issues,” helping clients improve communication, manage emotions, and break unhealthy patterns.

Stimulants, Suboxone and Benzodiazepines are prescribed in this practice with DEA guidelines. Dr. Padilla is a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the New York tri-state area and has over 30 years of experience in healthcare. He treats children from 6 years old through adulthood, focusing on psychiatric medication management. He specializes in mental health and has extensive experience in the field of psychiatry. Dr. Padilla takes a “start low and go slow” approach to prescribing, paying special attention to medication potency and potential interactions with other medications prescribed by other providers. Dr. Padilla earned his Doctorate in Clinical Practice Nursing from Rutgers University–New Brunswick. He also holds bachelor’s degrees from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the University of Miami, as well as an associate’s degree from Bergen Community College.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker experienced in helping clients navigate anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, and major life changes. I have a strong background in both mental health and addiction recovery, which allows me to meet clients with empathy, honesty, and real-world understanding.

My work is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and collaborative. I use CBT, grounding techniques, and practical coping tools to support clients in building emotional stability, confidence, and resilience. I believe healing happens when you feel safe, heard, and empowered.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Walden University, with a concentration in trauma-informed care. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), as well as certified in Art Therapy, Play Therapy, and Sandplay Therapy. My early career centered on supporting children and families navigating trauma, substance use, and instability, as well as individuals transitioning from incarceration and reintegrating into their communities. These experiences continue to shape my person-centered, integrative approach to care.

In my practice, I support adults and children through an individualized, holistic lens. My therapeutic philosophy draws from Person-Centered, Holistic, and Psychodynamic therapies—approaches that value empathy, self-awareness, and exploration of the connections between past and present. I believe all people have an innate capacity for growth, resilience, and healing when they are met with safety, compassion, and curiosity.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with almost 20 years of experience working with children and families. I believe in the importance of prioritizing self care and our mental health needs are so important for that! My goal is to partner with you and navigate through the journey towards reaching your goals.

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.