John Shafer, LCSW

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify their values and take small, actionable steps toward them despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It is useful for stress, anxiety, parenting strain, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns. That approach often helps with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and coping strategies. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and working at the client’s pace to build trust and identify personal goals; it supports people trying to make sense of difficult experiences and figure out their next steps.

Finding the right fit is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and day-to-day realities and then recommend approaches or mix methods accordingly. Clients are invited to give feedback so the work can be adjusted over time.

Online formats help make that collaboration easier to fit into busy lives. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging let people send brief updates, practice skills between sessions, and check in without scheduling a full call. These options offer flexibility for parents and working people who need adaptable ways to engage in therapy.