Jessica Shaffer

CSW-PIP

South Dakota

Practical therapy focused on meaningful change

Continue with Jessica

At a glance

Credentials

CSW-PIP

License

CSW-PIP, South Dakota / 3415

NPI

1225582182

Experience

12 years

Languages

English

Location

South Dakota

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

1. • Motivational interviewing
   • CBT and solution-focused work
   • Trauma-informed care

   About Jessica

   Jessica Shaffer welcomes people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, substance concerns, or burnout from caregiving and helping professions. She helps with relationship and family worries, parenting strain, sleep problems, self-esteem, anger, and career change. Jessica also supports people facing communication problems, first responder issues, and self-harm concerns.

   Jessica offers straightforward, practical sessions built around a trusting relationship. She uses approaches like motivational interviewing to explore change, cognitive behavioral therapy to spot patterns that maintain distress, solution-focused therapy to set small goals, and trauma-focused methods when past injury is central. Sessions are collaborative and goal oriented, and she will work with each person to choose what fits.

   She has been working in mental health since 2003 and has provided therapy since 2011, including individual and group work with young people ages 5-18 and some adults who have experienced trauma. Her past roles include crisis work in a locked correctional setting with people who were acutely suicidal and the diagnosis and treatment of severe persistent mental illness.

   Jessica earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Black Hills State University and a Master of Social Work from Newman University. She holds the SD CSW-PIP credential, which is a Certified Social Worker in Private Independent Practice. She practices from South Dakota and conducts sessions in English.

   Outside of work she enjoys travel, family time, and being outdoors. To begin, viewers can use the site Start Therapy button to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to therapist availability.

2. How motivational and practical approaches work online

   Motivational Interviewing is a conversational approach that helps people clarify their own reasons for change and build readiness at their own pace. It works well for challenges like substance concerns, motivation for new habits, and decisions about treatment.
   
   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and trying small experiments to change them. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and many day-to-day difficulties.
   
   Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels useful, then try approaches that match those needs in a collaborative way. Progress is checked together and methods can be adjusted over time.
   
   Confirm current session options before booking to know which online formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, shorten travel time, and allow for different check-in styles such as brief progress reviews or longer problem-solving visits. It can also let people stay in touch through regular appointments while balancing work, family, and other commitments.

4. Areas of expertise

   Primary focus

   Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefDepressionCompassion fatigue

   Also works with

   AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes

   Additional focus areas

   Communication problemsFirst responder issuesSelf-harm

   Therapeutic approaches

   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

   Experience

   12+ years

   Listed in

   South Dakota

   Languages

   English

5. Frequently asked questions

   What kinds of problems does she help with?

   She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, compassion fatigue, relationship and family concerns, sleep problems, parenting strain, anger, low self-esteem, career shifts, and coping with life changes.

   How would you describe her therapy style?

   Her approach is collaborative and practical. Sessions focus on building trust, setting small goals, and using techniques that match each person's needs.

   What is her clinical background?

   She has worked in mental health since 2003 and practiced therapy since 2011, including individual and group work with youth ages 5-18 and some adults, and crisis work in a correctional setting.

   What credentials does she hold and where does she practice?

   She holds the SD CSW-PIP credential (Certified Social Worker in Private Independent Practice) and is based in South Dakota.

   Which languages are supported for sessions?

   Sessions are offered in English.

   Can international clients work with her?

   International clients are not currently accepted.

   How are fees and billing handled?

   Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

   How do I begin working with her?

   Click the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

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