Shari Peterson , LICSW

Shari Peterson is a clinical social worker licensed in Minnesota with more than 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She holds an LICSW, which stands for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, and has worked across community-based mental health programs, school settings, and outpatient treatment environments. Over the course of her career she has spent three years providing direct therapy to individuals and has supported people coping with depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, personality disorders, anger, substance use disorders, ADHD, and the effects of complex trauma, abuse, and domestic violence.

Her therapeutic stance is strengths-based, relational, authentic, warm, and person-centered. She adopts an individualized approach, integrating client-centered, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, narrative, mindfulness, and somatic techniques to match each person’s needs. Shari emphasizes collaboration, treating each person as the expert on their own life while offering clinical guidance and practical tools to promote healing and stability.

Shari is committed to supporting people through recovery and growth, helping them build on existing strengths and develop strategies to manage symptoms, improve relationships, and navigate life transitions.

Approaches Used in Online Therapy and What They Offer

Shari Peterson draws on several evidence-informed approaches to guide online work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a trusting therapeutic relationship and honoring the individual's perspective - it helps people feel heard and supported while exploring goals and values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) identifies and changes unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns - it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and stress by teaching practical skills for managing symptoms. Mindfulness Therapy encourages present-moment awareness and gentle acceptance of thoughts and feelings - it can reduce reactivity and support emotional regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the collaboration. Shari works with clients to assess needs, preferences, and goals, then tailors methods so the work fits each person. This collaborative process helps determine whether one method or a combination will be most useful.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers options that fit busy lives. Sessions can be scheduled as video calls or phone conversations, and some work can be done via live chat or text-based messaging for flexibility between sessions. These options make it easier to access regular therapeutic support from home or other convenient locations while keeping care consistent and focused on individual priorities.