Betty Jo Schafer

I've spent over seven years working with adolescents and their families, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people navigating bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, including clients at high acuity who are experiencing suicidal ideation and self-harm. I also work with ADHD, OCD, PTSD and trauma, grief and bereavement, anger and impulse concerns, chronic conditions, women's issues, and relationship and identity exploration, including gay/lesbian/bisexual and transgender experiences. I believe living with authenticity is at the center of healing and I love helping clients meet their authentic selves. I also believe that self-compassion, relationships in all their forms, and connection to nature are core to wellbeing.

My approach is flexible rather than one-size-fits-all; in seven years of practice, I've learned that the right modality depends on the person, not the diagnosis. I draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Structural and Psychoeducational Family Therapy, Relational and Attachment-Based Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Strength-Based and Humanistic approaches, Motivational Interviewing, and Positive Psychology. I often work with clients on emotional regulation and effective communication within relationships and environments, and I keep a range of tools available so I can meet each client where they are.

In our first session together, you can expect a warm, judgment-free space to share what's bringing you to therapy right now. We'll spend time getting to know each other; I'll ask about your history, what's been going on, and what you're hoping to get out of our work together, and you're always welcome to share at your own pace. There's no pressure to have it all figured out; my goal in session one is simply to start building trust and to collaborate with you on a plan that feels right for your goals, your pace, and your life. By the end of our first conversation, you should have a clearer sense of how we'll work together moving forward.