- Stress and anxiety
- Family of origin
- Parenting support
About Allyson
Allyson Shaffer is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the District of Columbia and a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) in Maryland with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, parenting strain, and family of origin issues. She also supports people dealing with grief, career concerns, and compassion fatigue.
Allyson focuses on practical help in the room. She treats the person, not just a problem, and talks through patterns that come from family roles and expectations. Sessions aim to identify what keeps old patterns active and to find everyday steps that feel doable.
Her approach is straightforward and collaborative. She listens for how family of origin experiences show up now - in relationships, work, and self-esteem - and helps people notice small adjustments that can change those dynamics. Conversations include communication strategies, coping skills for anxiety or panic, and ways to manage overwhelming feelings.
Allyson brings two decades of experience to each session. That background helps when people face complex situations like adoption and foster care issues, caregiver stress, or multicultural stressors. She also addresses shame, isolation, and the emotional effects of divorce or separation.
People who want to explore how their upbringing still shapes their choices may find this practical focus helpful. To confirm current session options, the reader should check the therapist's booking details before scheduling.
How her approaches translate to online work
Allyson draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One common approach involves identifying patterns that come from family relationships and then practicing different ways of interacting. This helps when old roles or expectations still affect current relationships and self-esteem. Another often-used method centers on teaching coping skills for anxiety and panic, such as breathing strategies, grounding techniques, and brief cognitive tools to interrupt spiraling thoughts.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She will work with each person to decide which techniques fit their goals and comfort level, and adjustments are made as progress unfolds. Conversations are used to test ideas and pick strategies that feel useful in daily life.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful because they can fit therapy into a workday, reduce time spent traveling, or allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Others like being able to do a focused session without needing to be on camera the whole time. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and homework to work well in remote sessions, making the work applicable between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
District of Columbia, Maryland
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, parenting strain, grief, and family of origin issues among other concerns listed in her specialties.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses an evidence-based, practical approach that is collaborative and focused on identifying patterns from a person's family background and changing daily habits.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of professional clinical experience working with adults on a range of emotional and relational concerns.
What licenses does she hold and where is she based?
She holds LICSW in the District of Columbia and LCSW-C in Maryland, and she practices from Maryland.
Which languages are supported during sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.