Bianca Schaefer
PhD • Licensed Psychologist
About
With over four decades of experience as a clinician and advocate, Dr. Bianca Schaefer brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her practice as a licensed psychologist. Specializing in guiding young and aging adults through significant life transitions, Dr. Schaefer is renowned for her warm, humorous, and gently direct approach to therapy.
Dr. Schaefer's therapeutic approach is rooted in psychodynamic and existential theories, skillfully integrating relational, developmental, and attachment-based perspectives. She employs a diverse range of interventions, including the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy, Kauppi's Model of Relational Intimacy, Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), Mindfulness, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This comprehensive toolkit allows her to tailor her approach to each client's unique needs and goals.
Throughout her career, Dr. Schaefer has worked with a variety of populations and in diverse settings. Her experience spans from supporting individuals with chronic illnesses and multiple co-morbidities to those with developmental disabilities and those requiring forensic mental health treatment. This broad exposure has honed her ability to address complex issues with sensitivity and expertise.
Dr. Schaefer's practice welcomes individuals, couples, and families, encouraging reflection, curiosity, and self-understanding. She creates a safe space for clients to explore their challenges with compassion, creativity, and calm. Notably, Dr. Schaefer is inclusive in her practice, welcoming clients of diverse ages, abilities, sexual and gender identities, and engaging thoughtfully with the complexities of culture, ethnicity, and race.
In addition to her general practice, Dr. Schaefer is trained in Basic EMDR and maintains a keen awareness of both developmental and situational influences on mental health. She addresses issues such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, grief and loss, and illness with a nuanced understanding of how these challenges manifest uniquely for each individual. While many of her clients value long-term therapy for deep exploration and consolidation of insights, Dr. Schaefer also offers short-term options to accommodate varying needs and preferences.
Dr. Schaefer's credentials include licensure as a psychologist in both Massachusetts (#500048) and New York (#015972). She holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University at Albany, where she also completed her pre-doctoral internship with the Albany Psychology Internship Consortium. Her educational background is further enhanced by a Master of Science in Educational Psychology and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology, both from the University at Albany.
As she continues her long and distinguished career, Dr. Schaefer combines her extensive knowledge with an enduring enthusiasm for learning from and with her clients. She invites potential clients to schedule an appointment to discuss their goals and explore how her unique blend of experience, warmth, and straight-forward guidance can support them through life's toughest challenges and transitions.
Qualifications
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology, Albany, NY
- Master of Science in Educational Psychology, Albany, NY
Certifications, Memberships & Training
- Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology, Albany, NY
- Pre-doctoral Internship, Albany, NY
- Basic Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
State Licenses
- Massachusetts Licensed Psychologist, MA
- New York Licensed Psychologist, NY
Specialties & Expertise
Specializations
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief
- Life Coaching
State Licenses
- Massachusetts
- New York
Race, Gender & Sexual Sensitivities
- LGBTQ+ Allied
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Locations
Aviva Psychology Services - Boston
112 Water St
Boston, MA 02109
Aviva Psychology Services - Northampton
78 Main St
Northampton, MA 01060