Meet Clayton Norman

My Mission

Hi, I’m Clayton. I’m fueled by a passion to break down the barriers to mental health for adolescents and men. With a deep understanding that taking the first step into therapy can be challenging, I am dedicated to creating a compassionate and welcoming space where you feel safe to explore your thoughts and emotions- including those difficult ones you may wish to “get rid of” or “fix”, because even those aspects of self have something to offer. My therapeutic approach is founded on mindfulness and narrative based principles that present opportunities to relate to sensitive stories, experiences, and emotions with compassion and curiosity, allowing for new ways to move forward. I strive to empower adolescents in their formative years and support men in embracing vulnerability. I am committed to making therapy not only accessible but also a transformative and stigma-free experience, guiding people towards living fulfilling, balanced lives so that embracing a future defined by strength, self-awareness, and meaningful connections is possible. I look forward to embarking on the transformative experience of therapy with you and am here to walk alongside you on your path to healing.

My Story

I grew up deep in the heart of south Texas along the US/ Mexico border. Like many, I had some rocky teenage years and I could have greatly benefited from therapy but after experiencing the clinical environment, I decided it wasn’t for me. At 18, I left Texas and landed a job in the Indian Peaks Wilderness at a summer camp in Colorado. Being a camp counselor was a life changing experience for me and I developed an enthusiasm for infusing nature, playfulness, and team building into community development. I ended up spending 13 years working seasonal jobs in the summer camp industry before making my way into the mental health field. 

I completed my undergraduate degree at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wa and while I was there, I worked as a mentor and college tutor for incarcerated youth. It was my transformative experiences working with incarcerated youth that led me to want to learn more about mental health and therapy. 

After completing my undergrad, I returned to Colorado where I completed my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at University of Colorado Denver’s Multicultural based Counseling program.

Since then, I have become invested in conducting research surrounding ways to adapt existing therapy models to better serve youth. My most recent IRB Approved research study was in Play Therapy- Informed Skateboarding where I was able to merge my passion for Child Centered Play Therapy with my love of skateboarding. I am grateful to be able to have the freedom to integrate art and skateboarding into my therapeutic relationships with adolescents. 

Having experienced firsthand the challenges of feeling disconnected from conventional therapeutic environments as a teenager I bring a unique perspective to my work- one that is informed by my commitment to authenticity and genuine connection. 

Who I Am?

I see myself as a dedicated ally for those who, like myself, have navigated the complexities of adolescence without finding a welcoming space in traditional therapy. When I am not practicing therapy I spend plenty of time exploring with my 2 awesome dogs, playing and listening to music, birding, skateboarding, learning about meditation and spirituality. I also love to travel and try to make time for it whenever possible.