Shari Peterson, LICSW

Shari Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) in Minnesota with more than 20 years in mental health. She has worked in community mental health, school settings, and outpatient treatment, and spent several years providing direct therapy to individuals. She helps people who are coping with depression, anxiety, ADHD, addictions, trauma and abuse, and relationship or family-related concerns.

Shari uses a strengths-based, person-centered way of working. Sessions are warm and relational, and she aims to listen before offering suggestions. Her style is straightforward and authentic, focused on what will help someone move forward in daily life.

She draws from several practical approaches to tailor therapy to each person. Cognitive behavioral techniques are used to look at thoughts and everyday habits and to build new patterns. Mindfulness-based ideas help people notice stress and learn simple ways to calm themselves.

Shari also uses client-centered and narrative methods that help people tell their story and identify what matters to them. Motivational interviewing is part of her approach when making changes feels hard or overwhelming. The Gottman Method informs her work with relationship issues and communication skills.

Her background includes supporting people with complex trauma, domestic violence, and substance use concerns. Shari emphasizes collaboration - she works with each person to set goals and try concrete steps between sessions. To begin, readers should use the site’s Start Therapy flow to match and schedule according to availability.

Approaches and what online work can look like

Shari commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapy in her work. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people notice thought patterns and change everyday habits that keep problems going, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and sleep or eating concerns. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple awareness practices to reduce reactivity and manage stress in the moment.

She also draws on client-centered and motivational interviewing approaches that emphasize collaboration. Finding the best approach is a process she does together with each person, matching methods to goals, preferences, and what feels doable. The therapist will check in and adjust approaches as progress or needs change.

Session logistics should be confirmed before scheduling since formats are not specified here. Ask about the available online options when you match and book. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, reduce travel time, and let people attend from whatever setting is quieter or more convenient for them.