John Shafer, LCSW

John Shafer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New York with 25 years of experience. He lists a wide range of concerns he helps people with, including stress, anxiety, relationship and family matters, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, parenting, grief, and sleep problems.

He trained at Syracuse University School of Social Work, graduating with a Master of Social Work in 1998. His career includes work in rural community mental health, school-based settings, and both city and suburban programs. That mix of settings informed how he works with people from different economic and cultural backgrounds.

Over time he developed skills across several therapy methods. He commonly draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, client-centered therapy, mindfulness, narrative approaches, strengths-based work, and solution-focused techniques. Sessions tend to emphasize practical strategies and clear goals.

He has experience seeing people across a broad age range and has run individual, group, and couples therapy in past roles. He also reports ongoing diversity training and attention to gender identity and cultural differences in his practice.

In session he aims to work collaboratively, helping people set person-centered goals and practice techniques between meetings. He uses approaches that guide people toward clearer choices and more manageable daily routines.

How his therapeutic approaches translate to online work