Amy Shafer

Experienced LCSW blending CBT and relational work

LCSW California

Experience: 30 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Amy

Amy Shafer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with three decades of practice grounded in cognitive behavioral strategies alongside complementary approaches. She blends practical, skill-based work with attention to values and relationship patterns to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions.

Background and approach

Her training in CBT informs a focus on changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns while also incorporating mindfulness and acceptance-based techniques when useful. Shafer’s career spans a variety of settings and age groups, with more recent emphasis on adult and geriatric clients and their families.

She addresses issues ranging from trauma and abuse, intimacy and relationship difficulties, and family systems concerns to medical and caregiving challenges, chronic illness, and complications like codependency and communication problems. With experience in problem solving, interpersonal recovery, and adapting to stages of life, she offers practical tools informed by decades of clinical work.

Based in California, she approaches treatment collaboratively and aims to support people seeking competent professional help for meaningful change.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online care

Shafer integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to create a practical, values-oriented approach to common struggles. CBT focuses on identifying and changing thinking and behavior patterns that contribute to distress, often using structured exercises and homework to build new skills for anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties. ACT emphasizes accepting difficult thoughts and feelings while clarifying personal values and committing to actions that align with what matters most, which can be especially helpful for coping with grief, chronic illness, and life transitions.

Finding the right blend of methods is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to explore which strategies fit their goals, preferences, and day-to-day realities, and adjusts the plan over time so interventions remain relevant and practical.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase accessibility and flexibility. These formats make it possible to receive regular support while balancing work, caregiving, or health limitations, and they allow for frequent check-ins and skill practice between meetings.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Amy Shafer works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, addictions, self-esteem, sleeping concerns, and parenting challenges.

What therapeutic approaches are used in sessions?

The practice draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) along with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), client-centered techniques, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), and mindfulness methods to tailor treatment to each person’s needs.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

This clinician has 30 years of experience working in multiple settings and with diverse age groups, with recent focus on adults and geriatric clients and family systems.

What are the therapist's credentials and location?

She is licensed as an LCSW in California, holding license CA LCSW 16945, and practices from that state.

Are sessions available in languages other than English or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English only, and international clients are not currently accepted.

Which session formats are offered for online work?

Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How is pricing structured for therapy with this clinician?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability and sessions are accessed via a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are needed to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an appointment according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Grief Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English