Profile / United States
Judith 'Judi' Shaffer, LICSW, LCSW
California
Licensed clinical social worker - stress and relationships
See online therapy options- CBT techniques
- Client-centered work
- Solution-focused steps
About Judith
Judith 'Judi' Shaffer is a licensed clinical social worker with 29 years of experience. She holds an MA LICSW and a California LCSW. Judi focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes.
She uses clear, practical work in sessions. Judi listens to what is happening now and looks at thoughts and behaviors that get in the way. She helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and tries different ways of responding. Sessions aim to reduce overwhelm and build small, doable skills for daily life.
Her background spans clinical settings over nearly three decades. That experience informs straightforward methods for common problems like low motivation, confidence issues, and ongoing worry. Judi also addresses aging and geriatric concerns, caregiver stress, and challenges tied to family of origin and attachment.
In addition to cognitive approaches, she draws on client-centered and psychodynamic ideas to understand patterns that repeat over time. Solution-focused tools are used to set short-term goals and practical steps forward. The mix is selected to match what each person needs in session.
Practical concerns are part of the work. Expect conversations about specific situations, clear behavioral experiments to try between sessions, and regular check-ins on progress. The first session typically clarifies goals and identifies one or two next steps to practice before the following appointment.
How Judi uses structured approaches in online sessions
Judith Shaffer combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client-centered work, and solution-focused methods in clear, practical ways. CBT is used to identify specific thoughts and behaviors that increase anxiety or low mood and to test small changes that can reduce distress. Client-centered work focuses on listening and clarifying what matters most to the person, helping them name priorities and concerns. Solution-focused techniques set short-term goals and simple steps to try between sessions, which keeps progress concrete.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Judi will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped in the past. She uses that information to pick the methods that fit best and adjusts the plan as progress is reviewed, making the choice collaborative rather than fixed.
Session formats are not listed in the profile, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Many people find remote sessions help them practice skills in everyday settings and keep regular momentum between appointments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
29+ years
Listed in
California, Massachusetts
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try different responses through brief behavioral experiments and thought records.
What is her professional background?
She has 29 years of professional work experience in clinical settings and brings that to practical, skills-focused sessions.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds an MA LICSW and a California LCSW and practices in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions structured and what formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking; the profile does not list specific formats and recommends checking available formats when you sign up.
How do payments and scheduling work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; to get started complete the 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.