Shari Peterson, LICSW

Shari Peterson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years in mental health care. She has worked in community mental health, school settings, and outpatient treatment. Shari draws on long experience to help people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, ADHD, and relationship strain.

Her work is straightforward and grounded in trust. She leans on a person-centered, strengths-based style that aims to meet people where they are. Sessions focus on clear goals, honest conversation, and practical steps toward change.

Shari blends several approaches to fit each person's needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - is one tool she uses to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. Mindfulness practices are offered to calm the body and build attention. She also uses narrative and motivational techniques when they fit the issue.

She has substantial experience supporting people affected by complex trauma, abuse, and domestic violence, as well as those navigating substance use and co-occurring concerns. Shari also works with issues such as body image, chronic illness and pain, codependency, dissociation, and family of origin problems.

In sessions she aims to be warm, authentic, and relational. She treats the person across worries about parenting, eating and sleeping struggles, anger, self-esteem, and mood conditions like bipolar disorder. People who want practical tools combined with empathic listening often find this approach helpful.

How Shari’s Approaches Work Online

Shari commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy to guide online work. CBT helps people notice unhelpful thought patterns and test new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety, low mood, or sleep problems. Client-centered therapy focuses on building a trusting relationship and following the person’s pace and priorities.

She also draws on mindfulness techniques to teach simple attention and grounding exercises that can reduce reactivity and help manage stress. Together these methods give both short-term tools and a space to make longer-term changes. Finding the right mix is collaborative; she will discuss goals and try approaches that match the person’s needs and preferences, adjusting as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into life. Video works well for full conversations and visual cues, while phone calls can be a lower-bandwidth option. Live chat and messaging are useful for shorter check-ins, homework, or when writing helps clarify thoughts. These formats support regular work without needing travel and let people use the kinds of contact that suit their daily routine.