Jessica Shaffer

I’m glad you’re here on my page. Help is a hard thing to ask for and you’re already showing great strength by reaching out! Even if you don’t get your help from me, you’re in the right place! Clinically and personally, I bring a broad range of experience. I believe that the connection between the therapist and the client is the number one tool in counseling, and I am skillful at building trusting relationships. I have been working in the mental health field since 2003 and have been practicing therapy since 2011 . Currently, I am working with youth ages 5-18, and occasionally some adults, providing individual and group therapy. The youth and adults that I’m working with have experienced various types of trauma. My treatment will consist of finding out what will work best for you. That might look like providing solution focused therapy, crisis intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or even mindfulness techniques. I have also worked with clients experiencing depression, PTSD, anxiety, and relationship issues. Previously, I worked in a locked correctional facility in Colorado where I specialized in crisis therapy with the clients that were acutely suicidal, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of severe and persistent mental illness. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology in 2003, from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD (My favorite city in SD!) and graduated with my Master of Social Work in 2010, from Newman University in Colorado Springs, CO (My favorite city in CO!). I am licensed in the State of South Dakota as a Certified Social Worker in Private Independent Practice (CSW-PIP). In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and enjoying the outdoors. I love what I do and am excited to join the movement of online counseling!