Shari Peterson, LICSW

Shari Peterson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Minnesota with more than 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked across community-based mental health programs, within school settings, and in outpatient treatment environments, and has three years of direct experience providing one-on-one therapy to individuals.

Her clinical work includes supporting people facing depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, personality disorders, anger, substance use concerns, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. She has also worked extensively with individuals who have experienced complex trauma, abuse, and domestic violence. Shari draws on a strengths-based, relational, and person-centered style that clients often find warm and authentic.

Shari’s approach is individualized and integrative, blending client-centered methods with psychodynamic insight, cognitive-behavioral techniques, solution-focused strategies, narrative work, mindfulness practices, and somatic awareness. She views each person as the expert on their own life and positions herself as a collaborative partner on the path toward recovery and growth. Shari looks forward to working with individuals seeking support and practical tools for change.

Therapeutic Approaches for Effective Online Care

Shari Peterson uses client-centered therapy to create a collaborative relationship where the person’s own goals and strengths guide the work. This approach emphasizes empathetic listening and supports people who want a respectful, nonjudgmental space to explore personal concerns and make changes.

She also integrates cognitive behavioral therapy - CBT - which focuses on identifying and testing patterns of thought and behavior. CBT is often helpful for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and for managing unhelpful coping strategies by teaching practical skills and experiments to try in daily life.

Mindfulness therapy is woven into her practice to help people develop present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity to stress. These techniques can support emotional regulation, reduce rumination, and complement other therapeutic work.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Shari collaborates with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals, and preferences so that therapy feels relevant and useful.

Online therapy offerings include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to access licensed professionals and therapists from home or other convenient locations.