Meet our team of dynamic and energetic providers. Our goal at Salt City Wellness is to assist you in connecting with your own inner wisdom and values to help you find the way to your preferred life. We actively work to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all individuals.
Emily Hawkins, LCSW C-IAYT
Salt City Wellness Founder
Mental Health & Yoga Therapist Contact Emily
With over 20 years of experience as a therapist, social worker, educator and yoga therapist, I am passionate about bringing the tools for health and wellness to everyone - to help individuals work from their strengths and build lives of consistent wellness and joy. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, I grew up hiking, fishing and exploring the Wasatch mountains and streams, where I developed my deep love for and awareness of the healing capacity of nature and our own bodies.
I am an empowerment and strengths based therapist. My therapeutic approach combines present moment focused therapy and evidenced based therapies to assist clients to effectively address personal life challenges. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing. As a Utah born individual, I am passionate about working with individuals exploring their relationship to the LDS church, regardless of their church standing - Exploring issues of spirituality, personal growth and meaning and healing.
Among my areas of expertise are working with the impact of trauma and childhood experiences, psychology of women, sexual violence, oppression and relationship dynamics. I am skilled in somatic and IFS informed EMDR, ACT, Attachment and Mindfulness therapies Other areas of interest include the impact of trauma and other experiences on the brain and body, mindfulness based psychotherapy, integration of the mind-body experience and spirituality based work.
Salt City Wellness Founder
Mental Health & Yoga Therapist Contact Emily
With over 20 years of experience as a therapist, social worker, educator and yoga therapist, I am passionate about bringing the tools for health and wellness to everyone - to help individuals work from their strengths and build lives of consistent wellness and joy. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, I grew up hiking, fishing and exploring the Wasatch mountains and streams, where I developed my deep love for and awareness of the healing capacity of nature and our own bodies.
I am an empowerment and strengths based therapist. My therapeutic approach combines present moment focused therapy and evidenced based therapies to assist clients to effectively address personal life challenges. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing. As a Utah born individual, I am passionate about working with individuals exploring their relationship to the LDS church, regardless of their church standing - Exploring issues of spirituality, personal growth and meaning and healing.
Among my areas of expertise are working with the impact of trauma and childhood experiences, psychology of women, sexual violence, oppression and relationship dynamics. I am skilled in somatic and IFS informed EMDR, ACT, Attachment and Mindfulness therapies Other areas of interest include the impact of trauma and other experiences on the brain and body, mindfulness based psychotherapy, integration of the mind-body experience and spirituality based work.
Robert Shaffer, CSW C
Mental Health Therapist Contact Rob
I’m Rob Shaffer, a therapist who specializes in trauma, addiction, grief, relationships, and identity development. I work with individuals who feel disconnected from themselves, burdened by shame, or stuck in patterns they can’t seem to break. Many of my clients grew up in environments where their emotions, needs, or identities were dismissed, controlled, or labeled as “wrong.” As adults, they struggle with self‑worth, boundaries, relationships, and a sense of direction.
My work is rooted in Jungian psychology, exploring the unconscious patterns, archetypes, and internal narratives that shape your life. Together, we uncover the parts of you that were pushed into the shadows, integrate the emotions you’ve had to suppress, and help you move toward individuation: becoming the most authentic version of yourself.
Before becoming a therapist, my life was shaped by trauma, addiction, and profound disconnection. I spent years homeless, incarcerated, and trapped in cycles of shame and self‑destruction. My turning point came after the sudden death of my father and a near‑fatal overdose. That moment forced me to confront the unresolved pain of my childhood and begin the long process of rebuilding my identity.
Through my own healing, I learned how early attachment wounds shape adult relationships, how projections distort our sense of self, and how reclaiming personal authority is essential for growth. These experiences inform my work and allow me to meet clients with empathy, clarity, and a deep understanding of what real change requires.
In therapy, I offer a grounded, non‑judgmental space where you can explore your inner world, challenge old narratives, and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself. My goal is to help you cultivate self‑awareness, emotional resilience, and a sense of inner authority so you can navigate life with confidence and authenticity.
Mental Health Therapist Contact Rob
I’m Rob Shaffer, a therapist who specializes in trauma, addiction, grief, relationships, and identity development. I work with individuals who feel disconnected from themselves, burdened by shame, or stuck in patterns they can’t seem to break. Many of my clients grew up in environments where their emotions, needs, or identities were dismissed, controlled, or labeled as “wrong.” As adults, they struggle with self‑worth, boundaries, relationships, and a sense of direction.
My work is rooted in Jungian psychology, exploring the unconscious patterns, archetypes, and internal narratives that shape your life. Together, we uncover the parts of you that were pushed into the shadows, integrate the emotions you’ve had to suppress, and help you move toward individuation: becoming the most authentic version of yourself.
Before becoming a therapist, my life was shaped by trauma, addiction, and profound disconnection. I spent years homeless, incarcerated, and trapped in cycles of shame and self‑destruction. My turning point came after the sudden death of my father and a near‑fatal overdose. That moment forced me to confront the unresolved pain of my childhood and begin the long process of rebuilding my identity.
Through my own healing, I learned how early attachment wounds shape adult relationships, how projections distort our sense of self, and how reclaiming personal authority is essential for growth. These experiences inform my work and allow me to meet clients with empathy, clarity, and a deep understanding of what real change requires.
In therapy, I offer a grounded, non‑judgmental space where you can explore your inner world, challenge old narratives, and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself. My goal is to help you cultivate self‑awareness, emotional resilience, and a sense of inner authority so you can navigate life with confidence and authenticity.