John Shafer, LCSW
Experienced New York LCSW supporting diverse needs
- Stress and anxiety
- Relationships and family
- Trauma and recovery
About John Shafer
John Shafer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York who brings extensive experience and a thoughtful, client-centered approach to therapy. He earned a master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University in 1998 and has spent decades working across rural community mental health programs, school-based mental health settings, and both city and suburban practices. Over the course of his career he has supported people ranging in age from three years old to individuals in their nineties, and he has worked with clients from a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Shafer has engaged in ongoing diversity training and developed culturally sensitive techniques to address gender identity expressions. He has delivered individual, couples, and group therapy, and has drawn on a variety of evidence-informed models including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, narrative therapy, strengths-based approaches, and solution-focused techniques. His vocational path emphasized adapting methods to different environments and populations, which has informed his flexible, skills-oriented practice.
Throughout his work he emphasizes collaboration and person-centered goals, helping people identify practical strategies and meaningful changes that fit their lives and values.
Shafer has engaged in ongoing diversity training and developed culturally sensitive techniques to address gender identity expressions. He has delivered individual, couples, and group therapy, and has drawn on a variety of evidence-informed models including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, narrative therapy, strengths-based approaches, and solution-focused techniques. His vocational path emphasized adapting methods to different environments and populations, which has informed his flexible, skills-oriented practice.
Throughout his work he emphasizes collaboration and person-centered goals, helping people identify practical strategies and meaningful changes that fit their lives and values.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does John Shafer have?
John Shafer has 25 years of experience in social work and psychotherapy.
Is John Shafer a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: NY LCSW 071443.
In which languages does John Shafer provide therapy?
John Shafer provides therapy in English.
Where is John Shafer located?
He is located in New York.
How can I work with John Shafer as my therapist?
You can work with John Shafer through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does John Shafer work with international clients?
John Shafer does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with John Shafer 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, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. 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.
Practical Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care
John Shafer commonly integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy into his work, each offering a clear way to address different concerns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking committed action toward a meaningful life; it can help with anxiety, stress, and navigating life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, making it useful for depression, anxiety, and sleep or habit-related issues. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for regulating emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress, which can be helpful for anger, relationship difficulties, and intense emotional states.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and he works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. This means trying strategies, evaluating what works, and adjusting the plan together.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and access licensed professionals and therapists from different locations while tailoring the format to each person’s comfort and practical needs.