Shanelle Crites

I am a Professional Counselor Associate, MCOUN. With a background in mental health, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care, I specialize in working with veterans, first responders, teens, and trauma survivors, especially those with invisible wounds. But more than anything, I work with humans; navigating life with a longing to feel whole.

Life doesn’t always come with a clear map—but together, we can find your next waypoint. Counseling with me isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong.” It’s about making space for your full humanity—your strength, your pain, your hope—and navigating forward from where you truly are. Whether you're carrying trauma, facing transition, or feeling disconnected from yourself, I offer a space where we can pause, reflect, and move intentionally toward what matters most. My practice is rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and a person-centered, trauma-informed lens. I specialize in working with veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors.

My path to becoming a counselor has been diverse, shaped by a decade of experience in Military Police (K9), juvenile justice, crisis work, and advocacy alongside survivors of trafficking. These roles have given me a unique perspective on resilience and growth, shaping how I show up with empathy, presence, grit, and unwavering compassion for lifes complexity.

Having been on my own journey thru trauma and healing, I connect deeply with my clients. I believe healing happens when we make room for the entire story—when we stop running from pain and start walking alongside it with intention, curiosity, and courage. You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. We’ll go at your pace—one waypoint at a time.