Shayna Schaefer

Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions

LCSW Delaware

Experience: 28 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English, Spanish

About Shayna

Shayna Schaefer is a licensed clinical social worker with 28 years of experience providing thoughtful, client-centered psychotherapy in Delaware. She integrates practical, evidence-informed tools - including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - alongside acceptance-based and mindfulness practices to help people reduce distress, strengthen self-compassion, and improve communication in their relationships.

Background and approach

Her work emphasizes collaboration and practical skill-building so clients can navigate difficult transitions and daily stressors more effectively. Shayna addresses a broad range of concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma and grief, relationship and intimacy issues, eating and body image struggles, parenting and caregiving stress, and mood disorders including bipolar presentations.

She also brings experience with challenges related to abandonment, attachment, blended families, adoption and foster care, and life changes across the lifespan. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish and use a person-centered stance that honors each individual’s values and goals while teaching strategies to cope and grow.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Shayna commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop concrete coping strategies for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is also part of her toolkit, encouraging people to clarify values and build psychological flexibility when facing difficult emotions and life changes. Additionally, a client-centered stance creates a supportive environment where personal goals guide the pace and focus of work.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative - Shayna partners with clients to explore what feels most useful based on their goals, experiences, and preferences. She tailors interventions from different approaches rather than insisting on a single method, and adapts techniques over time as needs evolve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing people to access care around work, family, or mobility constraints. These options make it easier to maintain consistent sessions and to use therapy techniques in everyday contexts, while still working with licensed professionals who provide clinical guidance and skill-building.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Shayna commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, grief, eating and body image issues, parenting and caregiver stress, bipolar and mood concerns, ADHD, and many related life challenges.

What is the therapist's general approach and style?

Her style is collaborative and person-centered, blending practical cognitive-behavioral techniques with acceptance, mindfulness, and psychodynamic perspectives to tailor work to each person's needs.

How much clinical experience does Shayna have?

She brings 28 years of clinical experience providing psychotherapy and supporting people through life transitions and complex emotional concerns.

What are Shayna's credentials and where is she based?

She is an LCSW licensed in Delaware with license number DE LCSW Q1-0012554 and practices out of Delaware.

Does she offer services in languages other than English?

Yes, sessions are available in English and Spanish; she is not accepting international clients at this time.

In what formats are sessions offered?

Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How are fees and payment arrangements handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved to begin therapy with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf esteem Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesTrauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

28+ years

Licensed

Delaware

Languages

English, Spanish