My Story

Ready to Regain Your Confidence and Rewrite Your Story?
Change requires action - and like me, you're someone who understands action.

Licensed Professional Counselor & EMDR Therapist 

Meet Sheila

You're done being your worst critic, exhausted from overthinking, self-doubt, and putting everyone else first while your own needs take a back seat.
Whether you excel at work but feel stuck inside, struggle to balance life, or need a safe space to process as a caregiver or healer—this is a place for you.
This is your space to be honest, explore what’s holding you back, and start shifting for real.

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MY OWN PATH TO GROWTH

In my previous life, success was measured by accomplishments and stress was part of the job description. But beneath the façade of success, I grappled with the hidden truth: I was an over-functioner and a proud self-proclaimed perfectionist. As the weight of taking on more grew heavier, so did the toll on my physical and mental well-being. Anger and toxic behaviors became coping mechanisms, a shield against the relentless pressure I was placing on myself. I felt trapped, believing I had to reach certain levels before I could make a change. I adopted the word "Breakthrough" for my "One Little Word" yearly project and set off to do the deep work needed to reshape my thinking. 

As Robert Frost said, "The only way out is through." Now, armed with the wisdom gained from my own journey of self-discovery and transformation, I stand before you not just as a therapist, but as a fellow traveler on the path to growth. My experiences have taught me the power of resilience, the importance of self-compassion, and the boundless potential that lies within each of us. It's this blend of personal insight, intuition and professional expertise that enables me to connect deeply with my clients, guiding them toward healing, growth, and the fulfilling life they deserve. 

Pillars of My Practice
Empowerment       Partnership      Personal Development    Resilience      Balance     Curiousity





My ApproaCh

My approach to care is bold, real, and unapologetically human. I’m not afraid to dive into the messy, the uncomfortable, the taboo—trauma, relationships, sexuality, money, power, spirituality—and yes, I’ll cuss if it fits. Humor, even the dark kind, is welcome here. I meet you exactly where you are and partner with you to figure out where you want to go, tailoring each session to your goals, needs, and personality. I speak honestly, call out the BS when it matters, and admit when I screw up, because growth is mutual. My sessions aren’t cookie-cutter; they shift based on what you need in the moment. You’ll leave each session feeling like you’ve learned something meaningful, gained clarity, and carried a sense of relief with you. No judgment. No fluff. Just real work that moves you forward.

Read more about my story HERE. 

Licensed Professional Counselor (CO)  #11614
Licensed Addictions Counselor (CO) #1164
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (WA) MHC.LH.61667847

B.S. Psychology from Colorado State University 
M.Ed. Community Counseling from Colorado State University (2010)

EMDR I & II (Eye Movement Desensitization & Processing) (2012)
ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) (2025)
Immigration Evaluations 
TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Integrative Sex and Couples Certification Training-Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP) (In-Process)
Internal Family Systems Trauma Treatment Program: A 4-Month Online Intensive (In-Process)
Hundreds of hours of trainings focused on Trauma, Couples Therapy, modalities like ACT and CBT, Suicide Prevention and Cultural Diverse Care.

EMDRIA member
Addictions Training Facilitator & Former Adjunct Professor
Former Mental Health Emergency First Responder


How I Show UP

Clients describe me as real, skilled, and authentic. Sure, every therapist is supposed to listen and be non-judgmental—but let’s be honest, that’s not always people’s experience. Many of my clients come to me after working with therapists where they didn’t get much out of it, felt like the therapist didn’t say much, or even sensed that what they needed to bring into the space was “too much.” With me, you’ll find a balance of authenticity and directness, while also holding space for your full humanity. I’m relational in my approach, which means I’ll bring my own lived experience and hard-earned wisdom into the room, not just nod and smile.

Therapy with me is about digging into the messy stuff that’s weighing you down and learning the skills to shift it. Together, we’ll look at the patterns and pain that keep showing up, build new ways of thinking and coping, and clear out what no longer serves you. My goal is that you leave sessions not just feeling lighter, but also equipped—with clarity, confidence, and practical tools you can actually use to thrive in your life and relationships.


Who I Am to the core

I’m a Colorado transplant with roots in the Ozarks, carrying the laid-back, down-home spirit of the hills alongside the equally easygoing vibe of Colorado. I use she/her pronouns and navigate the world as a predominantly white woman with a lineage that threads Cherokee blood with German and Irish heritage. My path has been shaped by leaving behind the doctrine of evangelical teachings and embracing life as a Muslim revert, a shift that opened the door to a deeper spirituality. I’m drawn to astrology, tarot, the phases of the moon (and yes, I’m a little obsessed with doors), and all things strange and unusual.

I’m a cat mom, a teen boy mom, and a brand-new plant mom—each role teaching me different lessons about patience, humor, and resilience. I live in the “in between” generationally—not quite Gen X, not fully Millennial, with the balance and harmony of Libra, and the intensity and depth of Scorpio.—carrying a mix of grit, adaptability, and curiosity. Think Hermione’s wit meets Luna’s curiosity with just a dash of Snape’s honest directness—that’s pretty much me.

Personality-wise, I lean into my INFJ-J tendencies: ambitious yet dutiful, humanitarian and innovator at heart. People often tell me I communicate and live in ways that are inspiring, insightful, and informative. Photography, travel, fashion, food, thrifting and trying new things light me up and feed my spirit of play and creativity. To the core, I’m about growth, meaning, and finding magic in the mess.

Work With Me

Whole PersonTherapeutic Practice

Humanistic                       EMDR                             A.R.T.       
                    Informed IFS                       Somatics                    
                                      CBT                                   ACT                                                   

Education, Experience & Affilitations

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If you're experiencing a significant life transition, feeling disconnected, or having trouble communicating with your partner, I offer a number of preventative and responsive therapy options for couples.

Couples Intensives & Extended Sessions

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Intensive sessions range between 2-4.5 hours each day for up to three days to help you go deeper and accelerate the healing process. This option is tailored to those with busy lives who are looking for transformational results now. 

Therapy Intensives

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If you are experiencing a season of transition, anxiety, grief, or symptoms of trauma that hinder you from moving forward, I provide a variety of treatments to target your specific needs and schedule.

Individual Therapy

CHOOSE YOUR PATH

my fees

Individual Virtual Therapy: $180/session
Sliding Scale: $130-170/session
 We have partnered with Mentaya to streamline reimbursement processes for our clients, superbills are also available upon request. 
Additionally. to make our premium treatment intensive packages and other services more accessible, we’ve partnered with CareCredit and Affirm, offering flexible financing options. These can be applied to all therapeutic services, including individual therapy, immigration evaluations*, and our premium therapy intensives.

Please click below to access my full cost of services, payment policies, and fee schedules.

Download Payment Policies

Path to Growth Therapy, itself  does not accept  insurance , However, I accept a limited number of insurance plans (Kaiser,United, Aetna, etc) through external contracts with other entities, so please feel free to inquire about availability when you book a consultation. Not all services offered are covered by insurance. If you have out of network benefits, you may be able to offset the session costs. To accomodate clients best, we offer reimbursement tools for therapy services and flexible financing and payment plans for larger packages, including intensives. Click below for more details.

DO I ACCEPT INSURANCE?

About Care Credit

About Mentaya

Sheila has been the most amazing professional therapist that I have worked with. She has a lot of different skills to apply when needed in sessions, and her ability to know when to use which skill has kept sessions productive and healing. She has helped me through huge life transitions, including a very traumatic car accident. -A.

"I've had a lot of therapists over the years, but my experience with Sheila has been unique. I've finally been given practical skills to address my anxiety. Now, I feel more in control of my symptoms.. It's refreshing to work with a therapist who focuses on providing actionable tools. Highly recommend!" -S.

“I cannot express how transformative my experience has been working with Sheila. The combination of trauma-informed therapy, mindfulness practices, and depth of sessions provided me with the tools I needed to heal and grow, creating a fundamental shift I have been longing to have. EMDR has changed my life! Thank you!” -R.

It was a truly transformative experience. The focused, immersive nature of the intensive created a safe and supportive environment for profound healing and growth. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and am looking forward to more deepening sessions in the future. It was totally worth it! -E.

HOW CAN I HELP YOU IN YOUR JOURNEY?

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