- Stress and anxiety
- Life purpose
- CBT and client-centered
About Judith
Judith 'Judi' Shaffer is a LICSW and LCSW licensed in California with 29 years of professional experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, depression, and life changes. Judi also focuses on aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, attachment and family of origin problems, and questions about life purpose and midlife change.
Judi uses practical conversation to help people sort what matters now. Sessions are direct and person-focused. She listens for patterns in feelings and behavior, and then helps people try clearer ways of thinking and acting.
Her approach draws from client-centered therapy, which emphasizes listening and building understanding, and from cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and habits. She also uses psychodynamic ideas to look at long-standing patterns, and solution-focused tools to set short-term, achievable steps.
In a session Judi typically invites people to talk through current problems and past influences. She works with concrete goals like reducing anxiety, improving communication, handling grief, or finding new direction after a life change. Sessions mix reflection with practical strategies that can be used between meetings.
Judi asks for openness about what is and isn't working, and reviews progress as therapy continues. Her style is conversational and steady, aimed at helping people make gradual, usable changes in day-to-day life.
How Judi’s therapeutic approaches translate online
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding a person’s concerns, helping them feel heard and clarifying what matters most. It supports people who need a calm, steady conversation about current struggles and decisions.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at thought patterns and behaviors that keep problems going. CBT offers practical exercises and small behavior changes to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and address self-esteem or eating-related issues.
Psychodynamic ideas help identify long-standing patterns that influence present behavior and relationships. This approach can be useful when someone wants to understand recurring issues like attachment, family of origin problems, or codependency.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Judi will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and then recommend which methods to try. That choice is reviewed over time and adjusted based on what helps most.
Confirm the current session options before booking so you know how she offers care. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, or allow a shorter check-in when needed. It can also support continued work during a period of life change without requiring a commute.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
29+ years
Listed in
California, Massachusetts
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes including midlife questions and life purpose.
How would she approach feeling stuck or uncertain?
Her style combines listening with practical steps. She uses client-centered conversation, CBT techniques, psychodynamic reflection, and solution-focused tasks to help people try new ways forward.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 29 years of professional work experience supporting people with a wide range of concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds MA LICSW and CA LCSW credentials and is licensed in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Choose the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.