Dr. Hillary Schaefer, NY Psychologist, WA Psychologist

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Dr. Schaefer uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people notice difficult thoughts and choose actions that match their values. ACT can be useful for anxiety, stress, and situations where motivation feels stuck. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify unhelpful thinking and test small behavior changes that reduce symptoms over time. CBT works well for anxiety, mood, and sleep or eating concerns. Client-Centered Therapy is another influence, which means conversations are guided by the person’s concerns and pace rather than a fixed agenda.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. She talks with each person about their goals and preferences and then tries methods that fit those needs. The process is collaborative - expect adjustments as progress and priorities change.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging so people can pick what fits their day. Video is useful for in-depth work and nonverbal cues, phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited, chat and messaging work well for brief check-ins or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or medical schedules while keeping focus on practical tools and steady progress.