About Theresa Schaffer, LCSW

Telehealth/Online Anxiety Therapist

After decades in this field, I’ve learned something important: the most meaningful work happens with clients whose situations don’t fit neatly into a textbook.

 

Real people have complicated lives. Your OCD might be tangled up with trauma from your past. Your panic attacks might have led you to self-medicate with alcohol. Your health anxiety might stem from experiences other therapists haven’t known how to address.

 

This is where my expertise becomes valuable.

 

I’ve worked extensively with substance use disorders and understand how anxiety drives people to self-medicate. I’m trained in trauma treatment and know how to help you heal without retraumatizing you. And I specialize in evidence-based approaches like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Inference-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) that actually work for OCD and anxiety.

 

Over my career, I’ve seen what happens when someone finally finds a therapist who understands the full picture. The relief in their eyes when they realize they don’t have to explain why their situation is “different” or worry about being referred elsewhere. The progress that’s possible when all the pieces are addressed together, not separately.

My Approach

I don’t just treat symptoms, I help you understand what’s happening and give you the tools to build a life that isn’t controlled by fear.

 

I believe in:

  • Evidence-based treatment that’s proven to work
  • Being direct and honest about what recovery requires
  • Meeting you where you are, not where a textbook says you should be
  • Collaboration, you’re the expert on your life, I’m the expert on treatment
  • Hard work with compassion, recovery isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone

Who I Work With

I work exclusively with adults (18 and older) who are experiencing OCD, panic disorder, health anxiety, social anxiety, or generalized anxiety disorder.

 

I particularly welcome clients whose anxiety or OCD is complicated by:

 

  • Trauma or PTSD
  • Current or past substance use
  • Previous treatment attempts that haven’t worked
  • Multiple diagnoses or “complex presentations”

 

I do not work with: children, adolescents, couples therapy, or issues outside my areas of expertise. This focused approach allows me to provide the highest quality care within my specialization.

Education & Training

Licenses & Certifications

  • I have been licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in the state of Georgia since 2001. License #003051.

Education background

  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Florida-1989
  • Master of Social Work from University of Georgia-1997
  • I have received training in the following: 
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Motivational Interviewing 
    • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) through completion of BTTI intensive training through the International OCD Foundation
    • Mindfulness
    • Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)
    • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Professional Experience

  • I have over twenty years of experience providing individual and group therapy to adults with other mental health issues including anxiety disorders.
Services Provided

Your Personalized Online Telehealth Therapy Experience

No matter where you are on your journey, online therapy sessions are tailored to your individual needs and goals. I’m here to guide and support you, offering a compassionate and understanding approach that encourages growth, self-discovery, and lasting change. Through our secure virtual telehealth sessions, you’ll experience the convenience of therapy in the comfort of your own space, while still receiving the high-quality support you deserve.

 

Your Journey to Empowerment

You’re ready to embark on a path to freedom, empowerment, and a life that aligns with your values. I invite you to reach out and schedule a consultation. Together we’ll discuss your symptoms and your goals. I’ll answer any questions you may have, and together we’ll determine how telehealth/online therapy can be a transformative tool in your journey. You owe it to yourself to be the best version of you possible, and with the work we do in your private, secure therapy sessions we can get you closer to being that person. And I am excited to join you on this journey to better mental health and wellness! Contact me today and let’s discuss your unique mental health therapy needs

Take the Next Step With Theresa Schaffer

In our first conversation, we'll discuss what you're struggling with, explore whether my approach is right for you, and create a plan to help you start feeling better.
Schedule Your Free Consultation