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

Dr. Hillary Schaefer is a licensed clinical psychologist who brings a calm, evidence-informed approach to helping people navigate stress, relationships, and life transitions. With 12 years of clinical experience and a doctorate from the University of Virginia earned in 2013, she has worked across clinic, hospital, university, and military settings and has directed a clinic focused on families and children. She offers care for a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, addictions, parenting and blended family issues, relationship and intimacy-related struggles, body image and eating concerns, sleep difficulties, anger, career questions, and compassion fatigue. She also attends to needs related to LGBTQ issues, veteran and military matters, caregiver stress, codependency, dissociation, and other complex family of origin or medical-related challenges.

Dr. Schaefer holds licenses to practice psychology in New York and Washington - NY Psychologist 022053 and WA Psychologist PY.61029319 - and frames her work around collaboration and practical tools that clients can use right away. Her style blends acceptance-based, cognitive, and emotion-focused strategies while remaining flexible to the individual. She notes that evening appointment times are currently full; her current available hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. Prospective clients can expect a supportive yet goal-oriented partnership aimed at identifying strengths and workable paths forward.

Combining proven approaches with flexible online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, supports people in clarifying what matters most to them and taking small, values-driven steps even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise. It is often helpful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and replacing them with practical strategies to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and coping skills.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, listening, and building a strong therapeutic relationship so clients feel heard and can explore change at their own pace. This approach is useful when navigating relationship concerns, self-esteem, and identity-related work.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Schaefer works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. She adapts techniques as needed so therapy aligns with what the client wants to achieve.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility - consultations can occur via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit therapy into work, family, and caregiving schedules. These options help maintain continuity of care and make it simpler to access support from different locations.