Shari Peterson, LICSW - Therapist in Minnesota

About Shari

Shari Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years in mental health care. She holds a Minnesota Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker credential (LICSW) and has practiced in community mental health, schools, and outpatient treatment settings. She brings straightforward support for people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, mood concerns, and parenting struggles.

Her work emphasizes practical listening and real connection. Sessions tend to be warm and relational, with a focus on individual strengths.

Background and approach

She aims to create a space where someone can talk through what feels overwhelming and try small changes that make a difference. In practice she blends ways of working rather than using a single method. Shari draws on client-centered work, cognitive behavioral tools, mindfulness practices, and motivational techniques to meet each person where they are.

She uses these approaches to address problems such as depression, trauma, ADHD, eating and sleeping difficulties, and relationship or family concerns. She has particular experience supporting people affected by complex trauma, abuse, domestic violence, and substance use challenges. Shari also addresses issues like attachment, body image, chronic illness and pain, codependency, and communication problems that often come up alongside primary concerns.

Her style is straightforward and compassionate. She focuses on collaboration - listening first, then offering options to try. Parents and people juggling many roles may find her practical, steady approach helpful when life feels out of balance.

Therapeutic approaches for online family and parenting support

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and building trust first, so the person feels understood before making changes. It is useful when someone needs a space to talk through parenting challenges, family stress, or emotional overwhelm.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and then tests small behavior changes to ease symptoms like anxiety, low mood, or sleep problems. It is practical and goal-oriented, which many parents find useful when juggling daily demands.

Motivational Interviewing is a conversational method used to explore ambivalence and boost motivation for change. It can help with substance use, building new routines, or strengthening parenting strategies.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to match methods to their goals, needs, and preferences rather than applying a single approach. This makes it easier to try different tools and adjust plans based on what helps.

Online sessions via video, phone, live chat, or text messaging offer flexibility for busy households. They let parents fit therapy around schedules, reduce travel time, and use short check-ins or longer sessions depending on what fits. Licensed professionals can adapt these formats to teach coping skills, practice conversations, and follow progress over time.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Gottman Method

A research-based framework for couples, focused on how partners argue, repair, and stay connected. Practical and structured, with exercises to try between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, ADHD, bipolar, parenting and many family-related problems.

What is her general therapy style?

Her style is warm, relational, and strengths-based. She listens first and then offers practical options to try together.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 20 years of experience in community mental health, school settings, and outpatient treatment, including work with complex trauma and substance use.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, MN LICSW 25629, and practices in Minnesota.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Therapy can be delivered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How is cost handled for sessions?

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 therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 20 years
Licensed: Minnesota
Languages: English

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