Amy Shafer , LCSW

Amy Shafer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with three decades of experience helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges. She holds degrees in Psychology and Human Development from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (1989) and a Master of Social Work from San Diego State University with a clinical specialization (1991). She has been a licensed LCSW in California since 1994 - a credential that signifies advanced training and clinical practice in social work.

Amy has worked across age groups and settings, and in recent years she has focused on adult and geriatric care. Her practice addresses a broad range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, family conflict, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and the transitions that accompany different life stages. She also works with relationship and family systems, interpersonal recovery, addictions, sleep difficulties, parenting challenges, and compassion fatigue.

Amy approaches therapy with an open mind and a toolbox of evidence-informed methods, offering practical skills and supportive guidance tailored to each person’s circumstances. She sees it as a privilege to be part of a client’s support system and aims to collaborate with individuals and families who are seeking competent professional help to resolve problems and build resilience.

Approaches That Guide Online Care

Amy Shafer integrates several evidence-informed approaches to tailor care to each person's needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values, accept difficult feelings, and commit to meaningful actions - an approach often useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical strategies to change them - it is commonly used for depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and addictive patterns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, giving space for self-exploration and strengthening self-esteem and relational skills.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Amy works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and the specific issues they bring, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Amy is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and needs. These remote options make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life changes, coordinate sessions around caregiving or work commitments, and access licensed professionals from home or elsewhere, all while matching the therapeutic style to what works best for each person.