Jessica Schaffer

My primary focus as a therapist

As a registered psychotherapist and certified sleep consultant based in Boulder, Colorado, I provide support for families throughout the United States and as far as China, Italy, Israel, and Dubai.

My specialty is working with parents of children ages 4 months to 10 years of age who are experiencing challenging sleep, attachment, aggression, or anxiety behaviors.

Helping parents learn to understand, face, and overcome their parenting challenges is my passion. I love to help children acknowledge their challenges and emotional responses, and to make age-appropriate mindful choices.

It is a privilege to have helped so many children and their families. I appreciate the inherent difficulties parents face, as they try to help their children sleep well. It takes courage to reach out to a therapist for support.

The reason I chose to specialize in sleep and attachment counseling is that I truly believe that healthy attachment begins in infancy, and it is the foundation for human relationships.

Parenting has many challenges, but it also has the potential to be a fulfilling experience, even with strong-willed children. I have had the honor of working with parents through their struggles and, most importantly, watching them thrive!

How did you become a play therapist?

After graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing from Colorado University, I often dreamed of being a camp counselor for the rest of my life. With some guidance, I discovered a growing field in counseling for children using nature as the context.

One of the best Wilderness Therapy programs was in my home town. Although I applied for the program, my pregnancy with my first child prompted me to transfer to the Mindfulness Transpersonal Counseling Program at Naropa University.

At Naropa, I enrolled in a workshop taught by the founder of Synergetic Play Therapy Institute; and I wanted to know everything she was teaching. Parallel to my general classes required for a master’s degree, I took the two-year play therapy course, as well as an internship.

By the end of my time at Naropa, I had my MA degree, certification in Sleep Consulting, and a certification in Synergetic Play Therapy.

In addition, I added my husband, two children, a dog, a fish, and a host of new friends and colleagues.

How did you start your practice?

While obtaining my Master’s degree, I had my infant son and daughter.

As a new mother, I wanted to know how to get my son to sleep better, especially with the prospect of a new one coming. When I reached out for help, I found sleep consultants who were very knowledgeable but lacked the knowledge of attachment and bedside manner a mother needed.

I applied what I was learning in school about early childhood development and attachment to my daughter. She was a lovely sleeper, and my son grew into one as well.

Soon my other friends were asking me to help them with their infants, and it mushroomed into my helping their friends in other states.

I consulted with parents across the country regarding their infant’s sleep and saw children in my playroom and supported them and their parents with Synergetic Play Therapy and parent coaching.

My private practice today

If you live in the area with a child who is between the ages of 3-10 years old, you can visit my playroom in Boulder, Colorado.

If you live out of the state or country or have children under 3 years old, you can speak with me on the phone for quick check-ins or long conversations. I rely strongly on the attunement of the caregivers in order to guide the appropriate method of supporting your child.

Between your work with your older children at home and my therapeutic work with them in the playroom, we can reduce the anxieties leading to family challenges. With time, space, and appropriate parental support, your babies and children can become competent sleepers.