Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalee Stevens.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Right after high school, I began working with children with disabilities and quickly discovered how much I loved supporting them. I knew I wanted to keep making a difference, but I also knew teaching wasn’t quite the right path for me. That realization led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, where my passion for understanding people and helping them grow only deepened.
After some reflection, I decided to take the next step and earn my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Now, as a therapist, I have the privilege of working primarily with children and individuals with special needs. Every day, I get to help them express themselves, build skills, and find confidence—and I truly love what I do.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to becoming a therapist hasn’t been a smooth one. In the middle of earning my bachelor’s degree, I went through a divorce and became a single mom of two. Balancing school, work, and parenting was far from easy, but with determination—and the encouragement of my husband, who inspired me to finish my degree and pursue my master’s—I kept going.
Along the way, I held several different jobs, but no matter where life took me, I always found myself drawn back to working with children, especially those with special needs. It’s truly my calling, and that consistent pull has shaped both my career and my passion for helping others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Colorful Mind Wellness?
Colorful Mind Wellness was founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to inclusive and compassionate mental health care. My goal was to create a safe and welcoming space where children can explore and process big emotions, especially those that may feel out of their control.
While many places that work with children focus primarily on play therapy, my approach is more directive and solution-focused. I offer sandtray therapy, a powerful tool that allows clients to create “worlds” using miniatures in the sand. Through this process, children can express and process experiences without needing to verbalize them—the act of choosing and arranging the miniatures becomes the language of healing.
In addition to sandtray therapy, I often incorporate books, videos, songs, and expressive arts to help children connect with emotions and experiences in creative ways. I also use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Each session is uniquely tailored to meet the individual needs of my clients, providing a supportive environment for growth, understanding, and emotional wellness.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
At Colorful Mind Wellness, inclusivity is at the heart of everything I do. I strive to create a space where every client feels seen, supported, and understood. My goal is not only to provide individual therapy but also to collaborate with other professionals to ensure clients receive truly comprehensive care.
I would love to collaborate with psychiatrists, doctors, ABA centers, speech therapists, and occupational therapists to create wraparound services that meet the full range of a client’s needs. By building strong partnerships and open communication with other providers, I aim to support the whole person—not just one part of their journey.
Pricing:
- $150 per session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.colorfulmindwellness.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567259484584
