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SP Portrait of Shari Peterson

Shari Peterson

Experienced LICSW focusing on practical change

LICSW Minnesota

Experience
20 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Gottman Method, Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Shari

About Shari

Shari Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) practicing in Minnesota with 20 years in mental health. She has worked across community mental health, schools, and outpatient settings.

Background and approach

Her experience includes several years providing individual therapy to people with a wide range of concerns. Shari focuses on practical, down-to-earth work.

She emphasizes strengths and relationship. Sessions are warm and direct.

She helps people talk through stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, ADHD, and relationship or family problems. Her background includes work with people who have experienced trauma, abuse, and domestic violence.

She has supported clients facing mood disorders, substance use, eating and sleeping problems, anger, and issues with self-esteem and body image. Shari uses a mix of approaches to fit each person.

She draws on client-centered work to listen and build trust, cognitive behavioral techniques to address thinking and behavior patterns, and Gottman Method ideas when relationship patterns are part of the picture. Mindfulness and motivational interviewing are used to support present-moment skills and readiness for change.

In sessions she focuses on clear goals and practical steps. She pays attention to family of origin, attachment, and how chronic pain or illness can affect mood and routines.

People working with her can expect partnership, plain language, and steady support while they try new ways of coping.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Shari commonly uses Gottman Method ideas, client-centered therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy in her work. The Gottman-informed approach focuses on relationship patterns and communication skills to reduce conflict and improve connection. Client-centered therapy centers the person's experience and priorities so sessions follow what matters most. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at how thoughts, behaviors, and feelings interact and uses practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. She will discuss goals, preferences, and day-to-day needs to decide which methods to try. This collaborative planning lets techniques be blended and adjusted over time based on what helps most.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to give flexibility. Video sessions let therapists and clients read visual cues and do interactive exercises. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit a break at work. Live chat and messaging are useful for brief check-ins, homework support, or people who prefer typed communication. These options help people keep therapy consistent around busy schedules and geographic limits.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, ADHD, bipolar issues, and relationship or family problems, plus related concerns like body image and chronic illness.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The approach is strengths-based, relational, warm, and person-centered. She combines listening with clear, practical steps to address problems.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience in mental health, including work in community mental health, schools, and outpatient treatment settings, and several years providing individual therapy.
Where is she licensed and located?
She is a Minnesota licensed clinical social worker listed as LICSW and practices in Minnesota.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not accepted.
What session formats are used?
Sessions can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does payment or 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, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseDepressionADHD

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesBody imageChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImmigration issuesImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed in

Minnesota

Languages

English