Dr. Hillary Schaefer, NY Psychologist 022053, WA Psychologist PY.61029319

Dr. Hillary Schaefer offers straightforward, calm support for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, changes, or relationship strain. She writes in plain terms and focuses on practical steps parents and adults can use right away. Dr. Schaefer presents a steady, down-to-earth approach for people who want clear guidance and real tools.

She trained as a psychologist and earned her doctorate in 2013 from the University of Virginia. Dr. Schaefer has twelve years of experience working in clinics, hospitals, universities, and military settings. Her background includes directing a clinic that served families and children as well as broader clinical work across age groups.

In sessions she blends structured methods with listening and collaboration. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered ideas to help people change unhelpful patterns and clarify values. Sessions are meant to produce skills that can be practiced between meetings.

Dr. Schaefer helps with common concerns such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, parenting challenges, and coping with life transitions. She also supports people dealing with ADHD, addiction, relationship and intimacy-related issues, body image, and stress linked to caregiving or medical illness.

She is licensed as a psychologist in New York and Washington and works from New York. Sessions are offered in English and delivered online through video calls, phone, live chat, or text messaging. To begin, a short matching questionnaire is completed and then sessions are scheduled according to availability.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Dr. Schaefer commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to guide online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with clear, actionable steps that often help with anxiety, depression, sleep, and motivation. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice what matters to them and take small, value-driven actions even when emotions are uncomfortable.

She also uses client-centered principles, which means listening closely and tailoring the pace to each person. Finding the right approach is a collaborative process - the therapist will talk through options and adjust methods to match the client’s goals and preferences rather than sticking to a single plan.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into busy lives. Video can allow for deeper conversations and visual cues, phone calls can work when bandwidth is limited, live chat can suit quick check-ins, and text messaging can support short updates or reminders between sessions. These formats provide flexibility so people can choose what works best for their schedule and needs.