Dr. Brian Shaffer, LCMHC, LCPC
Compassionate counselor for recovery and trauma
- Trauma and addiction care
- Person centered approach
- Accepting international clients
About Dr. Brian Shaffer
Dr. Brian Shaffer is a licensed mental health professional with two decades of clinical experience in mental health, addiction, trauma, grief and spiritual care. He offers counseling, assessment, and targeted interventions aimed at helping people move toward recovery and improved functioning. Dr. Shaffer practices from a person-centered foundation, blending techniques from several evidence-informed modalities to match each person’s needs and goals.
He focuses on helping clients process past traumatic experiences that often contribute to substance use and current mental health symptoms, while also addressing related concerns such as relationship difficulties, grief, and identity issues. His work routinely integrates clients’ spiritual beliefs when relevant, creating a more holistic plan for healing and growth. Dr. Shaffer holds the credentials LCMHC and LCPC, indicating state licensure as a professional counselor qualified to provide clinical care.
Across his practice he emphasizes practical strategies and compassionate support that aim to reduce suffering and increase a sense of agency. With experience guiding individuals through recovery and change, Dr. Shaffer helps clients explore their histories, clarify values, and build skills for a more hopeful future.
He focuses on helping clients process past traumatic experiences that often contribute to substance use and current mental health symptoms, while also addressing related concerns such as relationship difficulties, grief, and identity issues. His work routinely integrates clients’ spiritual beliefs when relevant, creating a more holistic plan for healing and growth. Dr. Shaffer holds the credentials LCMHC and LCPC, indicating state licensure as a professional counselor qualified to provide clinical care.
Across his practice he emphasizes practical strategies and compassionate support that aim to reduce suffering and increase a sense of agency. With experience guiding individuals through recovery and change, Dr. Shaffer helps clients explore their histories, clarify values, and build skills for a more hopeful future.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Brian Shaffer have?
Dr. Brian Shaffer has 20 years of experience in the fields of mental health, addiction, trauma, grief, loss and spiritual care.
Is Dr. Brian Shaffer a licensed therapist?
Yes, he holds these credentials: LCMHC, LCPC. License details: NH LCMHC 3306, NV LCPC CP3204-R.
In which languages does Dr. Brian Shaffer provide therapy?
Therapy is provided in English.
Where is Dr. Brian Shaffer located?
Dr. Brian Shaffer is located in Pennsylvania.
How can I work with Dr. Brian Shaffer as my therapist?
You can work with Dr. Brian Shaffer through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dr. Brian Shaffer work with international clients?
Yes, Dr. Brian Shaffer works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Brian Shaffer cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online care with Dr. Brian Shaffer
Dr. Brian Shaffer draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy alongside a client-centered stance to guide online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them while clarifying personal values and taking committed action - useful for anxiety, stress, and addiction-related struggles. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns shape current connections and emotional responses, which can be helpful for relationship issues, intimacy concerns, and trauma-related difficulties. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, nonjudgmental listening, and collaboration so clients set the pace and priorities of change.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Brian Shaffer works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps tailor care to individual circumstances.
Online therapy with Dr. Shaffer offers flexible ways to engage - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit sessions into busy lives, manage caregiving or mobility constraints, or access care from different locations. These options support consistent contact and practical continuity of care with licensed professionals and therapists who adapt methods to the online setting.