Therapist profile
Allyson Shaffer, LICSW, LCSW-C
LICSW LCSW-C - Stress and family concerns
Continue with AllysonAbout
- Stress and anxiety
- Parenting challenges
- Trauma and grief
About Allyson
Allyson Shaffer is a licensed clinical social worker in the District of Columbia and Maryland with over 20 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting strains, and relationship and family concerns. Allyson also supports people facing trauma, caregiver stress, and challenges tied to adoption, attachment, and multicultural issues.
Her style treats the client as the expert on their own life. She listens for strengths and practical steps that can make daily life easier. Sessions focus on clear, manageable goals and improving communication and coping skills.
Allyson draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address panic, social anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms. She often helps people untangle family of origin issues, navigate divorce and separation, and reduce feelings of guilt, shame, or isolation. Practical work may include grounding strategies, problem-solving, and rehearsal of new ways to talk about difficult topics.
She pays attention to the stresses that come with caregiving and professional life, including compassion fatigue and burnout. For parents and those involved in adoption or foster care, she offers help with attachment questions and everyday parenting strain.
Sessions are conducted in English and reflect her long experience working with diverse concerns. Before booking, prospective clients should confirm current session options and formats so they match their needs.
How sessions work
How evidence-based methods are used in online sessions
Allyson uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical skills. One common approach is brief skills work that teaches grounding and anxiety reduction techniques to help during panic or high stress. These tools are straightforward and aim to reduce immediate distress.She also draws on structured, talk-based approaches that help people reframe unhelpful thoughts and practice alternative ways of communicating. That work is useful for relationship strains, family of origin issues, and improving self-esteem. For trauma-related concerns, she uses methods that emphasize safety, stabilization, and gradual processing rather than sudden exposure.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to pick techniques that fit their goals and daily life, and will adjust methods as needs change. This is a shared process where the client's preferences guide the plan.
Practical benefits of working online include easier scheduling and fitting sessions into a busy week. Online work can make it simpler to have shorter check-ins, avoid travel time, or use audio-only sessions when video is not convenient. Because formats were not specified in the biography, confirm available session options before booking so they match your routine.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
District of Columbia, Maryland
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, grief, trauma, and related issues such as caregiver stress and attachment questions.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach?
She uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and focuses on identifying strengths and practical steps. Sessions aim for clear goals and usable coping strategies.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has over 20 years of professional clinical experience working with adults on a wide range of concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LICSW in the District of Columbia and LCSW-C in Maryland. Her practice and licensure are based in Maryland and DC.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats does she provide?
Current session formats were not specified in the biography. Please confirm the available formats before booking so they fit your needs.
How does pricing work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Confirm specific fees during booking.
How do I begin if I want to meet with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to get started.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.