John Shafer

John Shafer is a licensed clinical social worker who draws on a mix of practical therapies to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and related concerns. He brings 25 years of experience and a straightforward style that focuses on what people need now. John practices in New York and speaks English. John earned a Master of Social Work from Syracuse University in 1998 and has worked across rural, suburban, and city settings. He has experience in school-based mental health and community mental health programs. Over time he has worked with people across many age ranges and socioeconomic backgrounds. His clinical work emphasizes collaborative goal-setting. Sessions typically use tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and client-centered approaches. He has also used narrative, strengths-based, and solution-focused methods when they fit a person’s needs. Across his career John has focused on a broad range of concerns including trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy issues, sleep problems, parenting strain, career difficulties, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Additional interests have included autism and Asperger syndrome, attachment and abandonment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness and disability, and communication problems. John aims to adapt methods to match each person’s situation and values. He emphasizes clear, practical steps people can try between sessions and works with people to track what helps and what needs adjusting.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify their values and take small steps toward a life that matters to them, even when painful thoughts or feelings are present. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and uses simple exercises to test and change unhelpful patterns; it often helps with anxiety, depression, sleep, and coping skills. Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on building emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills through practical exercises and coaching, which can help with intense emotions and relationship challenges. Finding the right approach is part of the work. John will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. He adjusts techniques as progress is made and encourages feedback about what is and isn’t helpful. Confirm current session formats before booking because formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules require them. Many people find remote sessions helpful for keeping continuity of care and practicing real-life skills between meetings, while the therapist and client decide together how to structure appointments for best results.