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Shannon Kaster

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Shannon Kaster, LISW, RPT | Play Therapist
(She/Her/Hers)

Modalities: Child-Centered Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, Inner Child Work

Perinatal: Growing Interest

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Grand View University and my Master’s in Social Work at the University of Iowa. After graduating, I pursued additional training and supervision through Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

My clinical training includes the DC:0-5 diagnostic manual for infant and early childhood mental health as well as play therapy modalities in child-centered play therapy, sandtray therapy, and inner child work with adults.

Play therapy isn’t just play—it is grounded in neuroscience. I was invited to share my passion for play at the 2025 Iowa Symposium for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), where I provided training to other professionals. I’ve also facilitated many workshops that focus on breaking the stigma surrounding play therapy for adults.

NPI: 1568156289

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What My Support Looks Like

Play therapy with me is active, creative, and deeply attuned. My approach is grounded in evidence-based play therapy, honoring imagination, curiosity, and your unique strengths. Sessions often include creativity, humor, movement, and reflection, because healing doesn’t have to feel clinical or cold. Instead, it can feel engaging, relational, and even joyful.

For children, play therapy with me looks like a space filled with carefully chosen toys, movement, and sensory experiences that allow them to express what they may not yet have words to describe. For parents, our work is collaborative and supportive. I believe that meaningful change happens when caregivers feel confident, informed, and equipped with everything you need to move through challenges. You’ll gain practical tools, deeper insight into your child’s behavior, and guidance on how to respond in ways that strengthen connection and emotional security at home.

Together, we’ll create a space where big feelings are welcome, stories are honored, and growth unfolds naturally.

In My Free Time You Can Find Me…

I love gathering around the table for D & D campaigns, where storytelling, creativity, and a little bit of chaos bring us together. I also enjoy riding BMX bikes with my two boys. There’s something freeing about movement and being fully present in the moment.

To recharge, I like to unplug and spend time outdoors. Camping and gardening give me a quiet, grounding rhythm that reminds me that growth takes patience and care.

Play, creativity, movement, and connection aren’t just part of my work—they’re woven into my everyday life.

Book With Shannon

To schedule an appointment with Shannon, please email her by clicking the button below.

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You Don’t Have To Do This Alone

What do Bloom's perinatal mental health designations mean?

Perinatal mental health is one of Bloom’s core specialties, so we’re intentional about how we describe each provider’s training in this area. You’ll see one of three designations on every counselor’s profile: Certified, Advanced Training, or Growing Interest. Here’s what each one means.

What does "Certified" mean?
Certified indicates a provider is Certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) — the formal, board-recognized specialty certification in perinatal mental health. Earning the PMH-C requires advanced education, supervised clinical training, and meeting professional standards set specifically for supporting individuals and families through the perinatal period.
What does "Advanced Training" mean?
Advanced Training means the provider has completed Bloom’s foundational two-day perinatal mental health training plus additional, advanced perinatal-specific coursework. These providers have pursued real, substantial education in the assessment and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, even though they haven’t yet completed the PMH-C certification process.
What does "Growing Interest" mean?
Growing Interest means the provider has a genuine clinical interest in supporting individuals through pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition to parenthood, but hasn’t yet completed Bloom’s training threshold for our Advanced Training designation. It’s an honest starting point, not a lesser one — many of our most experienced perinatal providers began here.
Why does Bloom make this distinction?
We believe you deserve to understand the training and experience behind the provider you’re choosing. Rather than using a vague catch-all term, we want our language to be transparent and specific — so you can find a provider whose background genuinely matches what you’re looking for.
What if I'd like to work with a provider at a different level of perinatal training?

That’s completely okay! You can browse our full team on the Meet Our Counselors page, where every provider’s designation is listed alongside their focus areas, so you can find the best match for your needs — whether that’s deep perinatal specialization or simply the right overall fit for you.