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Laura Shaffner, LCSW - New Jersey Therapist at Grow Therapy

Laura Shaffner

Laura Shaffner

(she/her)

LCSW
18 years of experience
Warm
Holistic
Virtual

Hello, I'm Laura, a dedicated therapist licensed in NJ and Maine. I am passionate about empowering individuals through their unique journeys. With a focus on guiding individuals through life transitions, I offer support, goal-setting, and coping strategies to facilitate a smooth adaptation to new circumstances. My goal is to foster personal growth, resilience, and empowerment, providing a foundation for clients to thrive during periods of change and self-discovery. I also love to work with women's issues, bringing a compassionate and empathetic approach to help clients navigate the complexities of their experiences. I believe in creating a safe and non-judgmental space where women can explore relationships, identity, self-esteem, and any gender-specific challenges they may face.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session together, you can expect a warm and welcoming space where your experiences are valued and respected. I prioritize active listening, dedicating this initial meeting to understanding the unique narratives that bring you to therapy. We'll explore the reasons behind seeking therapy at this particular moment, discussing your goals and what you hope to achieve through our sessions. Additionally, we'll begin to delve into aspects of your life history, offering insights into the factors that have shaped your current experiences. This collaborative exploration sets the foundation for a therapeutic journey tailored to your needs, fostering a sense of trust and understanding as we work towards positive change and growth.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

As a therapist, my greatest strengths lie in my profound compassion, the ability to create a safe and nurturing environment, and a unique perspective shaped by my own lived experience in therapy from my own early 20s and 30s. I bring genuine empathy to each session, fostering a supportive space where clients feel heard and understood. Having undergone my own therapeutic journey addressing family dynamics, women's issues, and anxiety, I intimately understand the courage it takes to embark on such a process. This personal experience enables me to connect with clients on a deeper level, providing insights and guidance grounded in both professional expertise and a genuine understanding of the transformative power of therapy.

About Laura Shaffner

Identifies as

Specializes in

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

SFBT is a goal-oriented and pragmatic approach. Therapy is future-focused, aiming to assist clients in creating a vision for a preferred future- then taking small, actionable steps to achieve it. We will engage in collaborative conversations that involve identifying and exploring previous “exceptions,” times when you have successfully coped with or addressed previous difficulties and challenges. We will consistently collaborate in identifying goals reflective of your best hopes and developing satisfying solutions.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

CBT operates on the premise that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, influencing one another. In sessions, we will collaborate to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress. Through a structured and goal-oriented approach, you will learn to reframe your thinking, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and ultimately reshape your behaviors for more positive outcomes.

Psychodynamic

Psychodynamic therapy delves into the unconscious mind, exploring how past experiences, relationships, and unresolved conflicts may shape present thoughts and behaviors. In sessions, I will help you explore your unconscious processes, bringing awareness to underlying emotions and patterns. Psychodynamic therapy aims to foster insight, self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of the roots of psychological challenges.

Eclectic

The eclectic approach incorporates tools from various therapeutic modalities to help serve your presenting needs and is flexible throughout treatment.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Mindfulness-based therapy, rooted in mindfulness meditation practices, centers on cultivating present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance. In sessions, I help guide you to develop a mindful attitude towards their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. Through techniques such as mindful breathing and meditation, you will learn to observe your experiences without attachment, fostering a heightened awareness that can lead to greater emotional regulation and a more balanced perspective on life.