Whether this is your first session or 100th, searching for a new therapist can feel overwhelming or daunting. Picking a person you trust to hear your struggles from a picture and a paragraph is no small thing! Here’s a little bit more about me to help guide your decision.
PLEASE NOTE: currently all my evening slots are full. I do apologize, these times go fast! My current available hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm EST.
My background:
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with experience working with clients of diverse backgrounds. I earned my doctorate in 2013 from the University of Virginia and have worked in clinic, hospital, university, and military settings. Previously, I saw clients at and directed a clinic for families and children, and I also have more general experience across age groups and areas of concern. I feel comfortable helping you with stress and anxiety, depression and self-esteem, trauma, motivation, parenting issues, relationship concerns, LGBTQ+ issues, Veteran or military issues, and can provide support for medical difficulties of your own or in those you love. I’m excited to step into an online platform and continue to help clients see their strengths.
My practice:
I aim to create an environment where you feel understood and supported, but also leave with practical tools that you can use immediately. I strive for transparency and collaboration, and want us to work together to find pathways to your goals. My approach is anchored in sound science and best practices, with plenty of wiggle room to adjust to who you are as a person and what works best for you. No matter what, I believe that there is a better, happier version of your life and I’d be privileged to help you find it.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Compassion fatigue, BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture, Blended family issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Eating and food-related issues, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Fertility issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Prejudice and discrimination, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Smoking / vaping cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
WA Psychologist PY.61029319
NY Psychologist 022053
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Hillary Schaefer. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
She has proved herself to be a real human being. . . And a real hero :3
Written on Mar 07, 2023 after therapy with Hillary for 3 years and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Therapy with Dr. Schaefer has been a life changer! She’s helped me develop various tools and strategies that I can use to deal with stress, anxiety and parenting struggles. She’s funny and her values align with mine which makes me comfortable with her.
Written on Dec 28, 2022 after therapy with Hillary for 2 years and 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, and self esteem
She’s great
Written on Sep 07, 2022 after therapy with Hillary for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
While I didn’t work with this provider in a session, as my schedule didn’t allow, I can’t rave enough about the true care and kindness of this provider. I have started therapy again after a hiatus and I can honestly say she was the best at walking me through getting everything started even after knowing that our schedules would not align. I say this because in some cases I have encountered it’s very easy to not respond and think “oh they’re on to a new provider” and she did not, she really took her time to have pleasant conversation and help walk me through the steps for provider change. I just didn’t want that to go unnoticed or unappreciated. I want to thank her deeply for her positive attitude, helpfulness, and genuine kindness. Thank you again Dr. Shaefer.
Written on Mar 25, 2022 after therapy with Hillary for 2 days on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, and adhd
Dr. Schaefer is the absolute best—I’ve been working with her for well over a year and we continue to work together seamlessly. She’s a tough therapist, but she’s always working for my best interest.
Written on Jan 23, 2022 after therapy with Hillary for 1 year and 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and self esteem
She’s flawless.
Written on Nov 08, 2021 after therapy with Hillary for 1 year and 9 months on issues concerning relationship issues, anger management, and coping with life changes