John Shafer, LCSW

John Shafer is an LCSW with 25 years of clinical experience based in New York. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a core method to help people make small, practical changes in how they think and act. John speaks plain language and focuses on clear steps rather than jargon. Over his career he has worked in rural community mental health, school-based settings, and urban and suburban clinics. That range gave him practice with many life stages and situations, including work with people facing trauma, grief, addiction, stress, and mood concerns. He has also helped people manage relationship strains, parenting challenges, sleep struggles, and job-related stress. His approach draws on several therapies to meet each person's needs. He combines CBT with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered listening to help people notice thoughts, choose values, and practice new behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and existential ideas also appear when they fit the moment. Sessions are practical and collaborative. John works with people to set short-term goals, try specific strategies between meetings, and adjust the plan when needed. He also uses mindfulness techniques to help with emotion regulation and attention. People who want straightforward, experience-based support often choose him for help with anxiety, depression, ADHD, coping with life changes, and stress-related issues. He stays focused on what people want to change and on steps that can be practiced outside the session.

Therapeutic approaches adapted for online care

John often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and try new actions. CBT works well for anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, and habits people want to change. He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice internal experiences, clarify values, and take committed steps toward what matters despite difficult feelings.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will discuss goals, preferences, and life demands and then choose or combine methods collaboratively. That conversation helps shape whether CBT exercises, ACT values work, or client-centered listening is emphasized for a given person.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make therapy more flexible. Video lets people practice exercises together and read visual cues. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit into a work break. Live chat and text messaging are useful for short check-ins, skill reminders, and ongoing coaching between sessions. These options help people fit therapy into busy schedules while keeping the focus on practical, skill-based progress.