Shelley Clifton APCC #11655 (she/her)

Clinician

Hello! I’m so glad you’re here.

In one-on-one sessions, I listen beyond the story. I’m tracking nervous system shifts, parts of the self that speak through tone or posture, and the protectors that often carry exhaustion behind their strength. My approach is grounded in the belief that healing happens when people feel safe enough to be fully complex—when there is no pressure to “be better,” only permission to be whole. Whether we’re working with trauma, anxiety, or emotional stuckness, I bring a steady curiosity to each part of your system, knowing that every response has a reason. Sessions become a place where nothing is too much, and no part is dismissed.

Individual Clients

Couples and Families

In families, each person carries their own network of parts—some inherited, some reactive, some protective—and yet these internal systems are always in dialogue with one another. I help families slow down the emotional spin cycle, so that underneath the conflict we can begin to see longing, legacy, and the deeply human wish to feel understood. My work is relational and deeply respectful of the nervous systems in the room. I support families in building new patterns of connection—not by enforcing calm or compliance, but by making space for each voice to be heard, even the ones that show up as silence, sarcasm, or shutdown.

Starting any type of relational work whether that be couples work or family work can be a courageous step, and I am dedicated to supporting you throughout this journey. My goal is to help you and your loved ones build a stronger, more resilient relationship, where love and understanding flourish.

About Me

I’m not outside the process. I’ve learned that it’s not possible to be a meaningful practitioner without staying in relationship with my own parts—especially the ones that resist, fear, or want to disappear. From a neurobiological and parts-based lens, I understand that the body is always speaking, even when the words haven’t come. I work with reverence for what people carry and for the courage it takes to turn inward. This isn’t work I do because I have answers. It’s work I do because I am deeply committed to presence, to noticing what’s hard to name, and to holding space for what is trying to emerge when a person finally feels safe enough to be seen


My areas of clinical dedication include (see below for my training and education):

  • Anxiety and panic (including around life stressors/changes)

  • Kids/teens, young adults

  • Relationships (romantic, familial, friendships), betrayal/affair recovery

  • Body Image and weight concerns (from a weight neutral lens), disordered eating patterns

  • LGBTQIA+ affirmed therapy (sexuality/gender identity)

  • Identity development/self-esteem

  • PTSD, and trauma-focused healing  (childhood, adulthood)

  • Education

    I graduated from Fort Lewis College with a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish. My time there laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to understanding the human experience across language, culture, and identity. I speak Spanish with conversational fluency and hold deep respect for the diverse ways people live, express, and heal.

    After college, I spent time traveling and living abroad — experiences that shaped my compassion for people from all walks of life. I’ve witnessed firsthand how environment, belonging, and movement can impact a person’s well-being. This worldview deeply informs my therapeutic approach.

    I later earned my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University in Colorado. My graduate education included two years of coursework and one year of supervised clinical practicum. During that time, I trained in trauma-informed care, attachment theory, and experiential therapies.

    Outside the therapy room, I’ve trained for ultra-distance trail runs in the mountains of Colorado and the deserts of Southern California. These experiences taught me what it means to stay with discomfort, listen to the body, and build resilience from the inside out. I bring that same steady, compassionate mindset into my work — especially in walk-and-talk and run-and-talk therapy, where movement becomes a doorway to insight, integration, and healing.

  • Training and Licensing

    I am a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC #11655) in the state of California.

    My formal clinical training includes:

    Internal Family Systems (IFS):

    Level 1 through IFS institute: 90 training hours

    https://ifs-institute.com/online-learning

    Somatic Trauma-Informed Therapy Training through The Embody Lab

    Interpersonal Neurobiology Training through The Mindsight Institute

    Member of the International enneagram Association (iea)

  • Experience

    My professional experience spans a range of settings and populations:

    Community Mental Health work in the state of Arizona

    Inpatient and Outpatient Addiction Treatment in California

    Private Practice serving adults navigating trauma, identity, anxiety, and relational healing

*Open Chair is LGBTQIA+ affirming, and welcomes all people and all of the identities they hold, including; race, culture, ethnicity, ability level, body shape/size, neurodiversity, education, income, occupation, immigration status, and any other important parts of you. All Open Chair clinicians are ND affirming and work from an anti-oppressive lens.