Jessica Shaffer , CSW-PIP

Jessica Shaffer is a licensed clinical social worker who brings a wide range of professional and personal experience to her therapeutic work. She has worked in the mental health field since 2003 and has practiced therapy since 2011, with 12 years of clinical experience supporting young people and adults through difficult transitions and crises.

Jessica specializes in working with youth ages 5 to 18 and also sees some adults, offering both individual and group therapy. She frequently supports clients who have experienced trauma and provides treatment for conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, grief, substance-related concerns, and relationship challenges. Her approach emphasizes the therapeutic relationship as the primary tool for change, and she focuses on building trusting connections that help clients feel heard and understood.

Her clinical toolkit includes solution-focused techniques, crisis intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-focused interventions, and mindfulness strategies, chosen to match each client’s needs and goals. Jessica’s background includes work in a locked correctional facility in Colorado where she specialized in crisis therapy for acutely suicidal individuals and in the diagnosis and treatment of severe and persistent mental illness.

Jessica earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota in 2003 and a Master of Social Work from Newman University in Colorado Springs in 2010. She is licensed in South Dakota as a CSW-PIP, which stands for Certified Social Worker - Private Independent Practice, license number SD CSW-PIP 3415. Outside of work she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and being outdoors, and she is enthusiastic about offering counseling in online formats.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people recognize and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties by teaching practical skills to manage symptoms and build healthier patterns.

Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on processing and resolving the effects of traumatic experiences. It provides structured support to reduce trauma-related symptoms and improve day-to-day functioning for those who have faced abuse, accidents, or other overwhelming events.

Jessica approaches care collaboratively and will work with each person to identify which methods fit best. The therapist and client explore goals, preferences, and the challenges at hand to tailor a plan that feels right, adjusting techniques over time as needed.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging let clients connect from different locations and schedules. These options make it easier to maintain consistency in care, access support during life changes, and choose the format that best suits individual needs while working with licensed professionals and therapists.