Profile / United States
Norman Shaffer, LCSW
Tennessee
LCSW - Addictions and Mood Concerns
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Mindfulness practices
About Norman
Norman Shaffer is an LCSW licensed in Tennessee with nine years of clinical experience. He works with people facing addiction, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, relationship strains, hoarding, obsessive-compulsive concerns, and career or life-change stress.
Norman focuses on helping people develop clearer thinking and steadier habits. He uses practical exercises to notice unhelpful thoughts and test more useful responses. Sessions are oriented toward specific problems and small, doable steps rather than broad theory talks.
His background includes several years working with clients who have drug and alcohol addiction and veterans with military-related issues. That work shaped his interest in approaches that combine active problem solving with attention to personal values and present-moment awareness.
In practice he draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to map thinking patterns and behavior links. He also draws on existential ideas to discuss meaning and on motivational interviewing to support change when motivation is mixed. Mindfulness-based techniques are used to help reduce reactivity and improve focus.
Norman asks clients to identify a few clear goals and then tracks progress with specific tools and homework. He prefers short, concrete exercises between sessions so people can try changes in everyday life and report back what worked and what didn’t.
How his approaches translate to online sessions
Norman commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and to try new behavior experiments. CBT provides step-by-step tools such as thought records and behavioral activation that transfer well to remote work. Existential Therapy is used to talk about values, meaning, and choices when life changes create doubt or confusion; those conversations focus on clear questions and decisions rather than extended theory.Finding the most useful approach is collaborative. The therapist will review goals, try a method for a few sessions, and adjust based on what the client reports is helpful. That way the plan stays practical and grounded in day-to-day progress rather than assumptions about what should work.
Confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten commutes, or allow brief check-ins between other activities. It also lets people use written tools and worksheets during sessions and practice exercises right away in their normal settings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
Tennessee
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He helps people with addictions, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, relationship issues, hoarding, OCD symptoms, and career or life-change stress.
How does he use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
He uses CBT to identify links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and to test practical changes with homework and short exercises.
What is his professional background?
He has nine years of professional experience working with people facing mental health concerns and addictions, including work with veterans and substance use issues.
What are his credentials and where does he practice?
He is an LCSW licensed in Tennessee and practices with that credential in Tennessee.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
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.