Works with
How Jessica works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- CSW-PIP
- Licensed in
- South Dakota
- Years in practice
- 12
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Jessica
Jessica Shaffer, CSW-PIP, helps people facing anger, anxiety, depression, grief, stress, addiction, and trauma. She also supports those dealing with parenting strain, sleep problems, self-esteem, career changes, and relationship or communication struggles. Jessica writes plainly and listens carefully to understand what is happening now for each person.
She focuses on building a strong working relationship first. That connection guides practical steps and treatment choices. Sessions often include clear strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and solution-focused work, along with motivational interviewing techniques when people want help changing behaviors.
Background and approach
Jessica brings 12 years of therapy experience and longer work in mental health settings. Her background includes crisis work and treating people who faced severe and persistent mental illness. She has provided individual and group therapy and has experience addressing trauma-related concerns.
Her approach is collaborative and goal-oriented. She helps people set small, achievable steps and checks progress each visit. Techniques may include thought-behavior work, brief problem-solving, grounding skills for trauma, and motivational conversations to support change.
Sessions are adapted to the person’s needs and may blend methods over time. Jessica holds a Master of Social Work and practices in South Dakota as a Certified Social Worker in personal Independent Practice - CSW-PIP. She offers therapy in English and provides online options to fit different schedules.
Outside of work she enjoys travel, family time, and outdoor activities. That balance informs a practical, down-to-earth style in sessions.
What Jessica works with
Everything Jessica lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Jessica's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Depression
- Compassion fatigue
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Communication problems
- First responder issues
- Self-harm
Approaches Jessica lists
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How therapy approaches translate to online care
CBT helps people spot unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors. Online sessions can use worksheets, thought records, and short experiments to practice new skills between meetings.Motivational Interviewing focuses on the client’s own reasons for change. In remote sessions it supports conversations about goals, ambivalence, and small next steps that feel doable.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with you about your goals, try methods that fit, and adjust the plan together based on what helps and what feels comfortable.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let you use worksheets and read nonverbal cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when you prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging allow brief check-ins, quick skills practice, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to schedule therapy around work, school, or family time.
Questions people ask about Jessica
What concerns does Jessica help with?
She works with anger, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, and related concerns like self-harm and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is collaborative and practical, focusing on clear steps, goals, and a strong working relationship to guide treatment choices.
What experience does she bring?
She has 12 years of therapy experience and additional years in mental health roles, including crisis work and treating trauma and severe mental health concerns.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds a Master of Social Work and is licensed in South Dakota as a Certified Social Worker in personal Independent Practice (CSW-PIP).
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does the cost and billing work?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.