Cari Shafer

LSW, MSW

"Life can feel like a lot to carry sometimes. Balancing work, family, and everything in between can feel overwhelming. I’m Cari, a therapist who helps people slow down and reconnect with themselves. I support teens, adults, and “helpers” in untangling life’s challenges, processing difficult experiences, and finding a sense of relief and clarity. Many of the people I work with are dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, self-criticism, addictive behaviors, or grief and loss."

How I work:

I take a warm, collaborative approach and tailor therapy to your unique needs. Together, we explore the different sides of yourself in ways that are easy to understand — like noticing when “a part of me wants this, but another part wants something different.”

This work can help you feel more in control, calmer, and connected to the parts of yourself that hold strength and hope. I’m trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help your brain process and heal from traumatic or stressful experiences. I also focus on your strengths and honor your unique experiences, including your race, gender, sexuality, culture, spirituality, and identity.

I work deeply with grief and loss, both professionally and personally, supporting clients in processing emotions, honoring loved ones, and creating space for remembrance.

We might work well together if:

• You value a collaborative and warm approach

• You appreciate a therapist who is laid-back but also challenges you when needed

• You are interested in EMDR therapy for processing painful or traumatic experiences

• You want a genuine, relaxed relationship with your therapist (my clients and I sometimes color, use fidgets, or swear, all depending on the context!)

A bit about me personally:

Outside of sessions, I spend time with my daughter, my husband, and our dog. I enjoy walks, coffee, reading, and board games. I also meet regularly with my own therapist because I believe all therapists benefit from therapy. My personal experiences with grief and community have been deeply meaningful. I truly value the power of connection and showing up for one another. If at any point our work together isn’t going in the direction you’d like, I’m happy to explore other options with you. I look forward to meeting you!

Cari Shafer, LSW, MSW is under the supervision of Edward Magiste, LISW-S I.2304227-SUPV