- Person-centered care
- Practical tools
- Longstanding experience
About Judith
Judith 'Judi' Shaffer greets people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship strain, or life changes. She invites a straightforward first step and acknowledges that reaching out for help takes courage. Judi is identified by her credentials MA LICSW and CA LCSW and brings 29 years of experience to her practice in California.
She focuses on creating an open, nonjudgmental space where people can talk through difficult feelings. Sessions are meant to be a place to notice what matters most, sort through options, and practice small changes that feel doable. Judi blends a respectful, person-centered stance with practical tools when helpful.
Her approach draws on Client-Centered Therapy to follow each person's pace and priorities. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and Psychodynamic ideas to look at how past relationships shape current feelings. Solution-Focused Therapy is used when quick, targeted steps are the goal.
Judi has worked across a range of common life challenges including caregiving stress, aging and geriatric concerns, body image and eating-related worries, codependency, and divorce or separation. She also helps with isolation, guilt and shame, and finding meaning during midlife transitions.
She conducts therapy in English and practices under her listed social work credentials in California. Prospective clients are encouraged to choose the Start Therapy button and complete the short matching questionnaire to schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
How these approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy puts the person’s priorities first, focusing on listening closely and following the client’s pace to build trust and clarity. This approach helps when someone needs a safe place to talk and be heard without judgment.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect and teaches concrete strategies to shift unhelpful patterns. It is often useful for anxiety, low mood, and day-to-day coping skills.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, needs, and comfort level. That collaborative selection can change over time as progress or new issues arise.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow follow-up conversations between in-person visits when needed. Therapists can also adapt sessions for shorter check-ins or focused problem-solving when that better matches a person’s schedule and goals.
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 this therapist commonly address?
Areas of focus include stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, self-esteem, and coping with life changes, plus related topics like caregiver stress and midlife transitions.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is open and nonjudgmental, emphasizing a person-centered approach and practical strategies to help with thoughts, feelings, and everyday coping.
What kind of experience does she bring?
She has 29 years of professional work experience supporting people through common life challenges and emotional concerns.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She holds MA LICSW and CA LCSW credentials and practices in California.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients supported?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment structured?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a therapy relationship with this clinician?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.