Many people already know that Shelley Fourney, of Norwood, is offering counseling sessions for people in the local community. She was a mental health provider for Uncompahgre Medical Center from 2014 to 2022. After that, she started her own counseling practice, Intentional Steps. Fourney is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and her degrees and licensure permit her to work confidentially with clients in the therapeutic setting. She does counseling work with adults, couples and teens.
What people may not know is that there are some resources available for those who’d like some help. Fourney is connected to San Miguel County’s behavioral health fund, through which financial support for counseling sessions is available. In this way, the behavioral health fund can pay for one’s counseling sessions, if they qualify, either short-term or for a longer period. Additionally, she’s affiliated with the employee assistance program, Triad, through which local businesses make it possible for their employees to receive a certain number of sessions as an added benefit.
Fourney works out of her home, though she does virtual sessions too. She’s happy to facilitate couples therapy, once she’s met people in person first.
She said she’s witnessed many people find success. In fact, she tends to work herself out of a job, because folks do tend to move on, after doing some work with her.
“It’s a great problem to have,” she said.
She agreed confidentiality was a big part of her work. She cannot reveal who her clients are, let alone what issues people come to her with. Like physicians, she’s bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and must keep everything private by law.
She feels blessed that so many trust her in the West End community, and she’s honored that some have told her that coming to see her has been the first time they’ve reached out for help. She doesn’t consider herself an expert, but she uses a process she believes in to help people get “unstuck.” She said it might seem basic, but she knows there’s nothing worse than feeling stuck and not knowing how to move forward. She wants to help people to figure out what they want and to bring them hope.
She agreed there are many who have lost hope in the last few years, whether that’s because of the COVID pandemic, the economy or other changes. Some have lost loved ones; others have experienced trauma, have anxiety and just need some peace. Fourney wants to help people in making their own decisions and establishing new routines.
There’s no commitment in working with her, and there’s no required number of sessions. She said her clients are all seen on a case-by-case basis. In the first session, she figures out what someone might need, and they go from there. It’s not uncommon for four to six sessions to be supportive; other times two or three are enough. She said most people don’t even come weekly.
In addition to counseling sessions, Fourney does some work speaking with local groups. She’s talked at San Miguel Power Association in the past about managing stress and managing time. She also works with a group in Montrose, mothers of preschool children, and she helps those ladies manage stress and find joy.
Fourney has a social media presence. On Instagram, it’s Shelley’s Intentional Steps, and on Facebook, it’s Intentional Steps. Her website is intentionasteps.us, and her email is shelley@intentionalsteps.us. She’s happy to speak to anyone with questions.
