Susan Shafer, LCMHC, LPC

Susan Shafer is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in New Jersey. She brings 15 years of clinical experience and centers sessions on practical tools that help people manage stress, anxiety, mood concerns, and life transitions. Susan uses straightforward language and a calm presence to guide conversations and set clear goals.

Susan blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with client-centered listening and mindfulness practices to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different responses. She supports people coping with depression, bipolar mood concerns, ADHD, grief, trauma-related difficulties, and challenges like anger, addiction, or sleep problems. Her approach emphasizes small, usable steps that fit day-to-day life.

In sessions she focuses on identifying patterns in thinking and behavior, building coping skills, and strengthening people’s sense of agency. She also uses motivational techniques and solution-focused strategies to prioritize goals and track progress. People may practice breath work or grounding exercises when helpful to regulate intense feelings.

Susan has worked across many settings over her career and draws on that background to adapt strategies to the person in front of her. She helps parents handle parenting stress and supports people navigating divorce, career changes, and financial strain. Communication problems, attachment concerns, guilt, and issues around intimacy are also within her focus.

Sessions are offered in English. Her practice offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. To begin, choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Approaches that translate to online care

Many of Susan's methods adapt well to remote sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors through small, practical experiments. It is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and mood regulation. Client-Centered Therapy prioritizes listening and openness so people can describe what matters most and set goals at their own pace. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus during daily routines.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Susan will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't worked before to tailor a plan. Together they decide whether to emphasize skills practice, mindfulness exercises, motivational strategies, or short-term solution-focused steps and then adjust as progress is made.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can fit into a tight schedule or use less bandwidth. Live chat and text messages work well for brief check-ins, skill reminders, or between-session support. These options make it easier to keep momentum while balancing work, parenting, and other responsibilities.