Dr. Brian Shaffer, LCMHC, LCPC
Compassionate narrative therapy for life transitions
Details
| Name | Dr. Brian Shaffer |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCMHC, LCPC |
| Based in | Pennsylvania |
| Licensed in | Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 20 |
About Brian
Dr. Brian Shaffer is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience. He focuses on helping people untangle stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, depression, and related life challenges.
He works with adults who want clearer direction and more stable emotional ground. Brian uses a narrative approach alongside other methods to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves. Sessions are grounded in a person-centered stance that respects each person’s values and beliefs.
Background and approach
He often brings clients' spiritual and personal strengths into the conversation when they wish to do so. He helps people talk through past trauma and how it influences current behavior, including substance use and mood struggles. Practical tools from cognitive behavioral approaches and acceptance work are used to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.
Attachment-informed ideas guide conversations about relationship patterns and trust. Clients can expect straightforward, calm guidance aimed at building skills and new perspectives. Brian frames goals in concrete terms - better coping with stress, fewer mood swings, clearer boundaries, or healthier patterns around intimacy and relationships.
He also supports people dealing with career strain, caregiving stress, chronic illness, and identity-related concerns. Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients. He works via video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging.
People begin by completing a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a session that fits their needs.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT among the things Brian works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Grief
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Hoarding
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Traumatic brain injury
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Jungian Therapy: Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Brian among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Brian directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Brian directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and acceptance approaches work online
The narrative approach helps people examine the stories they tell about themselves and their problems. In sessions the therapist guides people to notice patterns, name the influences that shaped those stories, and try out new ways of describing difficult experiences. This is useful for stress, identity questions, and relationship patterns.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on values and small actions that move a person toward a more meaningful life. It teaches practical skills for handling painful thoughts and feelings while still taking steps that matter to the client. Attachment-Based ideas are used to spot recurring relationship dynamics and build clearer ways of connecting and setting boundaries.
Finding the right mix of approaches is a shared process. The therapist will work with each person to identify goals, try different methods, and adjust the plan based on what helps most. This collaborative stance means the approach can change as needs and preferences evolve.
Online therapy offers flexibility for busy schedules and differing preferences. Video calls let people read facial cues and have fuller conversations, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text messaging work well for brief check-ins or ongoing support. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or travel routines while keeping the focus on progress and practical change.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does this therapist address?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, and many related areas such as ADHD, bipolar, and body image.
What kind of therapy style can I expect?
The work blends Narrative Therapy with client-centered care and practical tools from CBT and ACT to reframe unhelpful stories and build coping skills.
How much clinical experience informs the practice?
He brings 20 years of clinical experience working in mental health, addiction, trauma, grief, and spiritual care.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
He holds LCMHC and LCPC credentials (NH LCMHC, NV LCPC) and practices while based in Pennsylvania.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions can be done by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to get started?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Brian are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Brian where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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