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Dr. Brian Shaffer

Profile / United States

Dr. Brian Shaffer, LCMHC, LCPC

Pennsylvania

Licensed counselor - addiction and trauma

See online therapy options
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Addiction and recovery
  • Trauma and grief

About Brian

Dr. Brian Shaffer is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 20 years of experience. He practices in Pennsylvania and works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, and related issues.

He uses practical, person-focused counseling that draws on several approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Attachment-Based Therapy, and client-centered work. Sessions focus on identifying patterns that keep problems going, trying new responses, and connecting those efforts to what matters most to the client. He also addresses how spiritual beliefs may fit into each person’s goals.

Shaffer has a long background in mental health, addiction, grief and bereavement, and spiritual care. That experience informs how he helps people process past traumatic events that contribute to substance use or mental health symptoms. He emphasizes concrete steps toward recovery and improved day-to-day functioning.

Clients can expect a mix of talking, practical skills, and problem-solving. He supports people working through issues such as anger, eating concerns, intimacy-related problems, ADHD, bipolar mood challenges, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and body image. He also helps with career stress, communication problems, and coping after disasters.

Dr. Shaffer accepts international clients and conducts work in English. Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, users complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.

How his approaches translate to online work

Dr. Shaffer commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in his practice. CBT focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing different ways of responding to reduce symptoms like anxiety or depression. ACT emphasizes clarifying values and taking committed action even when difficult feelings are present, which can help with addictions, grief, and life transitions.

Attachment-Based Therapy is also part of his work and looks at how earlier relationship patterns affect current reactions and connection. That approach is useful for intimacy issues, relationship difficulties, and attachment concerns. He combines these methods in a collaborative way, working with each person to choose what fits their goals and preferences rather than using one fixed method.

Confirm the specific online session options before booking because the profile does not list formats. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. The therapist will discuss which approach and session rhythm best match the reader's needs, goals, and daily routine.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Jungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Listed in

Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does he commonly help with?

He helps people with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, trauma and related relationship and intimacy issues.

How does he approach therapy?

He uses a person-centered approach that incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, ACT, DBT and attachment-based ideas to address thoughts, behaviors and relationships.

What is his professional background?

He has 20 years of clinical experience in mental health, addiction, trauma, grief, loss and spiritual care.

What are his credentials and location?

He holds LCMHC and LCPC credentials and practices from Pennsylvania.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.

What session formats are available?

Confirm current session format options before booking since the profile does not list specific formats.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

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 you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.

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Dr. Brian Shaffer

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