- 30 years experience
- Focus on sleep
- Values based care
About Amy
Amy Shafer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 30 years of experience in California. She brings a practical, compassionate approach to common life struggles like anxiety, depression, stress, grief, and sleep difficulties. Amy writes plainly and listens carefully to help people find clearer ways forward.
She trained in psychology and human development at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and completed a Master of Social Work at San Diego State University. Over three decades she has worked in many settings with a range of concerns, and most recently has focused on adult and geriatric care. That history gives her a broad perspective on how life stages and relationships affect wellbeing.
Amy’s work centers on relationships, family systems, and coping with major life changes. She uses approaches that emphasize values, present-moment awareness, and practical problem solving. Sessions often include skills practice and focused conversation aimed at managing stress, sleep problems, addiction-related concerns, and loss.
She also helps people facing chronic illness, caregiver stress, family-of-origin issues, and communication or commitment problems. Her practice addresses intimacy-related issues, trauma and abuse, and challenges tied to identity and LGBT concerns.
Amy aims to be a steady partner for people navigating change. She offers tools drawn from several therapeutic approaches and adapts them to each person’s needs. To begin, visitors can use the site’s Start Therapy process to match and schedule according to therapist availability.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Amy draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as part of her approach. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck, then choose actions that match their values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing practical behavior changes to reduce symptoms and improve routines.She also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which prioritizes listening and understanding so people feel heard while they work through concerns. Together these approaches aim to blend skills training, values clarity, and steady support so each person can find workable changes for sleep, stress, and relationship concerns.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, then tailor methods over time rather than sticking rigidly to one model.
Session-format details are not listed here, so confirm current online options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when days are hectic. It also supports continued work on sleep routines, stress management, and relationship conversations without requiring an in-person visit.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
Amy works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, sleep problems, addictions, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related concerns.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is practical and collaborative, using present-focused conversation, skills practice, and values-based work to help people manage symptoms and life changes.
What is her background and experience?
She has 30 years of clinical experience and has worked in many settings, most recently focusing on adult and geriatric care.
What credentials and location apply to this therapist?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified here; please confirm the current session options before booking.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.