Meet Melissa Shaw | Owner + Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Shaw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind our success as counselors is that we’re real people. We’re down to earth, and this isn’t just a job for us—it’s who we are and what we love. There’s nothing stuffy or scripted about what we do. Everyone on my team was handpicked because they share that same heart and passion for helping people. We show up as ourselves, and that’s what helps our clients do the same.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Honestly, once I started counseling, everything seemed to fall into place with ease. That doesn’t mean the journey to that point was easy—far from it. Everything before that was hard: the training, the early jobs, the long hours, and learning the tough lessons about how to truly show up for people. But once I found my calling, once I was doing the work I was meant to do, it just clicked.

I’m most proud of our growth as a practice and the impact we’ve had on people’s lives. Seeing marriages healed, couples reconnect in ways they didn’t think were possible, and individuals step into their own strength—it’s incredible. I’m also proud of my team—their ability to work together, support one another, and always do what’s best for each other and for our clients.

The lesson I’ve learned along the way is that the hard parts are what prepare you for the work you’re meant to do. Persistence, showing up authentically, and surrounding yourself with people who share your values—it makes all the difference.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Lucky for me, my best friend already lives here, so showing her around is easy. But if someone else were visiting for a week, here’s how I’d do it. We’d spend mornings hiking, biking, or camping, just getting outside and soaking in the scenery. A stop at Red Rocks is a must—maybe even catch a concert if the timing works.

We’d mix in some fun adventures, like tubing down the Platte, checking out local art, or grabbing some delicious Indian food—Coriander is a must. Mornings would probably start with coffee or tea at In Tea in Downtown Littleton, and evenings might include a local brewery or just hanging out and decompressing after a full day.

By the end of the week, we’d have a little bit of everything: adventure, good food, laughs, and stories to tell. And honestly, wed probably already be planning their next visit before the week was even over.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I spent two years as a wilderness counselor for at-risk youth—days in the rain, no days off, kids screaming, testing every limit you could imagine. It was exhausting, challenging work, and it pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. During that time, I got my hardest kiddo—and it felt impossible to reach her.

My supervisor taught me a lesson I carry to this day: to truly help someone, you have to fully believe in them. He told me, “You have to love her and make her your favorite. If you don’t believe in her, who will?” That changed the way I show up, not just for kids in the wilderness, but for every client, every couple, every person who trusts me with their story. Even in the hardest moments, showing up, believing, and caring fully is what makes all the difference.

Website: https://knotcounseling.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/knotcounseling

Facebook: https://facebook.com/knotcounseling

Image Credits
Tara Visconti