Dewayne Shelton, BS Counselor Intern

I’m Dewayne Shelton, BS, a Counselor Intern at Healing in Color Counseling Services, serving Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western Michigan University (2019) and am completing my Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling at WMU. My practice is grounded in family systems through a solution-focused lens: we’ll clarify what you want, break it into measurable steps, and use tools like the miracle question, scaling questions, and collaborative goal setting to move forward.

I have a strong interest in working with couples and people navigating addiction and recovery. Whether you’re healing from substance use, rebuilding trust after conflict, or learning new ways to communicate, I help partners and individuals create clear goals, interrupt unhelpful patterns, and practice skills between sessions. My background includes developing treatment plans and using CBT and Motivational Interviewing with clients experiencing substance use, as well as facilitating groups on coping, grief, urges, and problem-solving.

I also enjoy supporting families and children/teens, especially around conflict resolution, coping skills, trauma, and school or home stressors. With youth, I balance confidentiality with caregiver collaboration and often include parents early to align on goals and boundaries. In addition, I welcome work around sexuality and sex-related concerns, including identity, relationships, intimacy, and the impact of trauma or shame. I aim to provide a nonjudgmental, culturally responsive space where these topics can be discussed openly and safely.

A significant part of my passion is serving BIPOC communities, with a focused commitment to African American males’ mental health. I understand how stigma, systemic stress, and cultural expectations can shape help-seeking and healing. My approach is human-first: I echo your words, attend to your language, and challenge you in ways that feel respectful and empowering. I integrate restorative justice values—voluntary participation, accountability, and safety—into counseling when appropriate, including circles and dialogue processes.

If you’re ready to build hope, set achievable goals, and make real change, I’d be glad to walk alongside you.