David Schaffer, MSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (WV), Licensed Independent Social Worker (OH)
love to help people. I was an economics major as an undergraduate and worked in business for about five years. Each day the question: "What have I done to make the world a better place?" haunted me. Being a therapist gives me the opportunity to do that every day in a very direct way.
I get to see both the huge diversity of human experience and the remarkable commonality we all share. Most of all I get to see the difference that sharing a burden with another person, looking at things in a new way or making small changes in what you do, can make in a person's life.
Client Focus
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Behavioral Therapy Uses learning techniques like reinforcement and practice to change unwanted behaviors. It is often applied to phobias, anxiety, and habits.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
Approach Description: I tend to draw upon behavioral approaches, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and Compasion Focused Therapy.
Education & Credentials
David Schaffer, MSW Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (WV), Licensed Independent Social Worker (OH)
- Male
- License # LICSW (WV) Dp00940211, LISW (OH) I9145
- Licensed in West Virginia, Ohio
- Practicing Since 1998
Education: I have a Masters in Social Work from West Virginia Univeristy.
Twenty years of training and practice in the application of mindfulness in psychotherapy.
Over one hundred fifty hours of in-person training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Finances
Insurance
- Accepts Insurance
- Call office to check
David Schaffer, MSW Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Parkersburg, WV 26104 and Coolville, OH 45723
- Available Online for residents of Ohio, West Virginia
- Online Therapy Details: Doxy.me
I particularly like working with people who experience anxiety of all forms. The first area of anxiety I developed a special interest in is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It really strikes me how "crazy" people feel when they struggle with obsessive thoughts and the compulsions that go along with them. When you are able to help people change their reaction to their obsessive thoughts, it is remarkable the improvement they can experience.
I enjoy the whole range of anxiety disorders from the worry of generalized anxiety to the body focus of panic to the avoidance reminders of traumatic experiences from posttraumatic stress. It feels like this is an area where I understand people's experiences and where the ways I tend to work with people seem to make a difference, often very quickly.