Judith 'Judi' Shaffer

Judith 'Judi' Shaffer is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 29 years of practice, licensed in California. She helps people who feel stuck by addressing stress, anxiety, relationships, low self-esteem, motivation, and depression, and she also focuses on life purpose and midlife concerns.

Judi works in a straightforward, person-centered way. She encourages clients to talk about what matters most and to notice patterns that get in the way of change. Conversations are plain and practical, and she listens for both current problems and the history behind them.

Her approach draws on client-centered methods and solution-focused work to identify short-term steps that can reduce overwhelm. She also uses cognitive behavioral ideas to shift unhelpful thinking and psychodynamic perspectives to look at recurring patterns and attachment issues. Together these methods inform plans that fit each person’s situation.

Judi has worked with many adults across life transitions, including caregiving stress, divorce and separation, aging concerns, and questions about life purpose. She helps people sort through guilt, shame, loneliness, and family of origin problems in clear, manageable ways.

Those who come for help can expect conversations that mix practical skills and deeper reflection. Sessions often focus on communication problems, codependency, eating and body image concerns, and rebuilding confidence after loss or change. Judi asks questions, offers observations, and supports people as they try different steps.

To begin, she guides people through a first session that clarifies goals and realistic next steps. Her work is aimed at helping people find practical ways forward when life feels uncertain.

How Judith blends approaches for online sessions

Client-centered work focuses on listening and reflecting what clients say. It helps people feel understood and clarifies what they want to change. This approach is useful for sorting out confusing feelings and priorities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It gives practical tools to test unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors, which can be helpful for anxiety, low mood, and confidence work. Psychodynamic ideas pay attention to long-standing patterns and attachment issues that repeat across relationships, helping people recognize why they react the way they do.

Choosing the right mix of methods is part of the work. Judith will talk with each person about goals, history, and preferences and then recommend an approach to try. This decision is collaborative and may change as therapy progresses.

Confirm session options before booking since the biography does not list specific formats. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, such as when travel or work schedules make attending in person difficult. It can also allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people participate without being on camera if that suits them better. Licensed professionals can adapt pace and techniques to the online setting to focus on practical steps and deeper reflection as needed.