Shari Peterson, LICSW
Compassionate social worker focused on story and change
Details
| Name | Shari Peterson |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LICSW |
| Based in | Minnesota |
| Licensed in | Minnesota |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 20 |
About Shari
Shari Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker who brings more than 20 years of experience in mental health. She has practiced in community mental health, school settings, and outpatient treatment, and spent several years providing one-on-one therapy. Shari works with people facing anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, ADHD, relationship and parenting stress, and other concerns.
Her style is warm, straightforward, and relational. She aims to build trust and draw on each person's strengths.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on practical steps and on understanding how life stories shape current struggles. Shari uses a mix of approaches that fit each person. Narrative Therapy helps people reframe unhelpful stories about themselves.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and actions that keep problems going. Client-centered methods prioritize the client's perspective and goals. She also draws on mindfulness practices to help with emotion regulation and attention, and on elements from the Gottman Method for people looking to improve communication patterns.
Shari adapts techniques to suit concerns such as sleep problems, body image, chronic illness, substance use, and family-of-origin issues. People who work with her can expect a collaborative process. She listens first, then helps set clear, achievable steps.
The work is practical and focused on everyday change. Her Minnesota license is listed as LICSW.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse among the things Shari works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Depression
- ADHD
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Dissociation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-harm
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Traumatic brain injury
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Shari among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Shari among the ways she works.
- Gottman Method: Listed by Shari among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Shari among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Shari among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Shari among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Shari among the ways she works.
- Somatic Therapy: Listed by Shari among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Shari among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Shari directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Shari directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and Practical Therapies Work Online
Shari often draws on Narrative Therapy to help people separate themselves from limiting stories. This approach makes it easier to spot how past events shape current choices and to rewrite unhelpful narratives. She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to center the client's goals and perspective, creating space for people to lead the work and name what matters most.She pairs those approaches with elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when helpful to spot thought patterns and try small behavioral experiments. CBT is useful for problems like anxiety, sleep issues, and mood shifts because it breaks issues into clear, manageable steps. Together these methods aim to be collaborative and practical; she helps clients choose what fits their needs and goals rather than following a single formula.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy fit life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can be easier during a busy day. Live chat or text-based messaging can support shorter check-ins, ongoing reflection, or people who prefer written conversation. These options create flexibility for scheduling and different communication styles.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does she commonly address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, ADHD, relationship and family problems, sleep and eating issues, anger, self-esteem, and bipolar concerns.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is warm, relational, and strengths-based. She listens carefully and works collaboratively to set practical goals.
What is her professional background?
She has 20 years in the mental health field, with experience in community mental health, schools, and outpatient settings, plus several years providing individual therapy.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds a Minnesota LICSW and practices from Minnesota.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Shari are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Shari where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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