LCSW
John Shafer, LCSW
- Experience25 years
- LocationNew York
- Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Relationship
- Therapy approachesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy
Check the available next steps for working with John online.
About John
John Shafer is an LCSW with 25 years of clinical experience, bringing a client-centered approach informed by multiple evidence-based methods.
Background and approach
He combines Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and mindfulness-informed techniques to help people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, ADHD, and relationship or intimacy-related challenges. His practice emphasizes collaboration and practical skills to address everyday difficulties and complex life transitions.
Shafer trained at Syracuse University and has worked across rural, suburban, and urban settings, including school-based and community mental health programs. Over his career he has supported people across the lifespan and from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, developing culturally sensitive ways to address gender identity and other identity-related concerns.
He offers individual, couples, and group therapy formats and uses a strengths-based, person-centered stance to tailor interventions to each person’s goals and circumstances.
Approach-Focused Online Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes clarifying personal values and taking committed action despite difficult thoughts or feelings; it can be useful for stress, anxiety, grief, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and many daily challenges. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness and can help when strong emotions or relationship conflicts interfere with functioning.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and is handled collaboratively. The therapist works with clients to explore which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adjusting techniques over time to match progress and changing needs.
Online therapy provides flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing people to access consistent care from different locations and schedules. These formats support ongoing skill practice and communication between sessions, making it easier to maintain momentum while balancing work, family, and other obligations.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Licensed
New York
Languages
English
What John can help with
John Shafer works with clients on stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and depression.
How John approaches therapy
John's clinical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy.
Experience and training
John is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in New York, with 25 years of clinical experience.