Shelley has been providing mental health services for over 30 years. After retiring from the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Shelley opened Shaffer Professional Services as she struggled to find her own therapist that truly understood what she dealt with daily, in prison. Nobody “got it”. So, she took the “if you build it, they will come” approach. It’s been pretty successful, because Shelley “gets it”, as she’s “been there, seen that”.

Shelley works only with professionals in Corrections, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military members, and their families. She believes strongly in a Trauma-Informed approach and utilizes this in and out of her work setting. She loves her analogies, uses humor frequently, and her passion for her clients comes through in her authenticity and transparency.

Shelley is currently in training to become certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy). These are two highly effective and evidence-based treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress.

When she’s not working, she enjoys anything on the water, fishing with her husband, living at the camper, loving on her dogs, everything New Orleans (especially the Saints), and spending as much time with her family as she can. Shelley’s the proudest of being a Mom, wife, sister, friend, daughter, and now a Yaya – with 2 absolutely amazing granddaughters.

• To reach Shelley directly, call 218-380-0175 or email shelley@shafferprofessionalservices.com