About Shayla

P: 970-759-8040

E: shaylajwalker@gmail.com 

Online Scheduling:  https://shayla-walker.clientsecure.me/

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). I attended Fort Lewis College where I obtained my Bachelors in psychology and then I went on to the Four Corners Graduate School of Social Work through the University of Denver where I graduated with my Masters in Social Work (MSW).  I am currently taking courses to become a certified addiction counselor, and will also soon be trained as an EMDR therapist.   I will also continue to further my education in animal assisted therapy (K-9 and Equine), anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, crisis intervention and eating disorders.

I often use a person or client centered focus, tying in with mindfulness techniques as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), art therapy, play therapy, motivational interviewing and animal assisted therapy with my therapy dog Kaiya. I believe being able to offer multiple therapy techniques creates an environment in which the client can lead to what treatment method feels best fit for them and creates the most therapeutic and helpful environment for each individual client. Everyone is unique, and everyone needs something different. 

Born and raised on a ranch in the Durango, CoO area, I was a 4-H member, competitive gymnast for 15 years and rode horses all of my life. I continue to enjoy staying active, training horses with my significant other and spending time at the lake paddle boarding, photographing wild horses, as well as spending time with my family. Growing up in the ranching community, I grew a love and passion for animals. Through every trial, trauma and hardship I faced, my animals were a constant that continued to create a strength, a sense of safety and calm within me, and I was able to rise up again. As a previous gymnast, gymnastics coach and animal lover, my goal is to build my clients up, build resiliency and help them feel supported and safe to help them become their best self. 

I enjoy helping people through difficult issues, whether that be due to experiencing depression, anxiety, domestic violence, recovering from trauma, going through a divorce or seeking personal development. 

I hold a Master's Degree in Social Work and am a Certificated Animal Assisted Social Worker, all through the University of Denver. 

Phi Alpha Honor Society Member

Full Member of EMDR International Association

Certified in EquilLateral Courses for EMDR Therapists and Equine Professionals

Continuing ongoing education in personality development, anxiety and depression, substance abuse , autism and crisis intervention.

I often work using mindfulness while drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) approaches and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) with a holistic framework. I believe in looking at the whole picture rather than one area. I believe in working together to make each session tailored for every individual to seek the highest level of wellbeing and joy in life possible. 

I was born and raised in Pagosa Springs, Colorado where I was blessed to have animals throughout my life. I left the area for a few years to travel and live the city life in Denver, but soon realized the mountains and my animals are where my heart lives. I found myself coming back to this area every chance possible to snowboard, ride my horses, or hang out with my dogs.   

As a young girl I helped my dad with his outfitting business and took care of any animals that were sick or injured. This experience gave me the gift of connecting with my horses and dogs at a whole different level than what I ever would have known—I could turn to them for support during difficult times. When I wasn’t with my animals, I worked in a salon and saw people come in, not knowing what their story was, but I could tell something changed when they left—they were lighter, brighter, more centered and able to enter the challenges and demands of life again. As an animal lover and former hairstylist, my goal is to continue providing a similar outcome for individuals I work with as a therapist.

“To journey without being changed is to be a nomad. To change without journeying is to be a chameleon. To journey and to be transformed by the journey is to BE…”--Adapted from Mark Nepo

I am a general psychiatrist certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. After graduating medical school from the Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School Consortium, I completed an Internal Medicine Internship at the University Hospital in Newark New Jersey. Subsequently I moved to Charlottesville Virginia to complete my psychiatric residency at the University of Virginia Psychiatry Program. At the time of my training in the early 1980’s, psychiatry was beginning to focus on biological interventions over psychoanalytic interventions. During the course of my career, there have been many advances in biological modalities to treat the major psychiatric illnesses. However based on my experience, I believe that the combination of structured, goal oriented, skill building psychotherapy along with medications achieve the best response in many patients

After completing residency, my first job was at the Brattleboro Retreat. This institution is a private nonprofit hospital with over 100 years of patient care. The Retreat had a very interesting history. For much of the 19th and 20th century, their treatment methods emphasized fresh air, physical activity, educational enrichment, therapeutic farm and kitchen work, and supportive staff. During my time at the Retreat, I developed and ran an Eating Disorders Program, and served as Medical Director for Adult Services. In addition I facilitated the beginning of adjunctive outdoor therapy component to the Eating Disorder therapy program.

In 1991, I moved back to the West, and have had various jobs in Utah and Oregon. In addition to both inpatient and outpatient treatment, I have served as Medical Director for an Adult Day Treatment Program, and Adolescent Day Treatment Program. Since 2008, I have been working for the Axis Health System a Community Mental Health Center, initially in the capacity of outpatient psychiatrist, but over the past 4 years I have provided psychiatric treatment and supervision for the Adult Treatment Unit.

Professionally, I enjoy working with a team oriented approach to patient care.