Shelly Clayton
Integration Specialist Facilitator
Shelley Clayton, a licensed physical therapist and yoga therapist, has always been driven by an innate desire to serve others. Her passion for physical therapy was ignited at the young age of twelve, inspired by witnessing the remarkable recovery of an individual learning to walk again after a traumatic car accident. This early experience shaped her future career path.
Shelley's academic journey took her from her small hometown in Pennsylvania to Wilmington, North Carolina, where she graduated from the University of North Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology. Following her undergraduate studies, she attended the Medical University of South Carolina, earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2008.
Her professional career began in the children's hospital and public school system, where she specialized in pediatric care. Shelley further enhanced her expertise by obtaining certifications in pediatric yoga and developing yoga and meditation programs tailored for special needs children. Her commitment to holistic healing led her to complete a 500-hour yoga therapy training through the Himalayan Yoga & Ayurveda Center.
A turning point in Shelley’s life came in 2017 with the end of her marriage, which steered her towards working with psychedelics and focusing on healing her own trauma. She spent several years at a retreat center in Utah, immersing herself in 'the work' as a yoga therapist and receiving mentorship from the facility's owners. Upon her return to Austin, she collaborated with a licensed psychotherapist to develop an integration program for individuals in addiction recovery.
Shelley then joined forces with Justin LaPree at Heroic Path to Light, where she serves as an Integration Specialist. In September 2023, she completed a year-long trauma therapy training called Compassionate Inquiry, under the guidance of Dr. Gabor Mate, a renowned expert on childhood trauma and addiction. This psychotherapeutic approach, emphasizing compassion, curiosity, and authentic connection, is central to her work today. Additionally, in October 2023, Shelley finished an Intensive Psychedelic's Facilitator training with Zach Leary.
Shelley's approach to therapy is deeply rooted in the understanding of the interconnectedness of mind, body, heart, and spirit. She emphasizes the importance of a safe, empathetic connection with her clients, driven by genuine curiosity about each individual and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Her overarching goal is to support others on their journey of self-discovery and healing, fueled by her desire to effect positive change in the world.