John Shafer, LCSW

John Shafer is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in New York with a career built on a foundation of formal training and broad clinical experience. He earned his master of social work from Syracuse University School of Social Work in 1998 and has spent decades refining therapy skills across multiple community settings. His work has included rural community mental health, school-based programs, and services in both city and suburban environments, giving him a practical understanding of diverse needs and everyday challenges.

Over a 25-year career, he has served clients spanning early childhood through older adulthood, working with people in their thirties, eighties, and beyond as well as with very young children. That range of age and background informed his approach to clinical work and fostered strong competencies with a broad set of presenting concerns, including stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, grief, parenting and career concerns, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and many others. He has also focused on areas such as adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and attachment and intimacy-related issues.

Shafer has pursued ongoing diversity training to improve cultural sensitivity, including attention to gender identity and expression. His clinical toolkit draws from evidence-based therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness practices, narrative and strengths-based approaches, and solution-focused techniques. He offers individual, couples, and group therapy and emphasizes collaborative, client-centered work aimed at pragmatic goals and meaningful change.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values, accept difficult thoughts and feelings, and commit to actions that align with what matters most. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve functioning; it is commonly applied to anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines skills training in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness to support people facing intense emotions, relationship challenges, or self-destructive patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. John Shafer works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and daily life, adjusting techniques as progress and needs evolve. This collaborative stance helps tailor treatment to the individual rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to match scheduling and comfort. These options make it easier to maintain consistent care around work, family, and other commitments, while allowing therapists to use the same evidence-based tools in formats that suit each client.