Theresa Schaffer

I help students who feel stuck in anxiety loops reclaim their time, confidence, and sense of control.

If your mind feels constantly “on,” you’re overthinking everything, avoiding situations you used to enjoy, or using substances just to calm down or get through the day , you’re not broken. Your nervous system has learned to protect you in ways that are no longer helping.

I specialize in working with college and graduate students who struggle with:

OCD (including intrusive thoughts, mental rituals, and “what if” fears)

Panic attacks and fear of panic

Social anxiety and fear of judgment

Health anxiety and body-focused fears

Skin picking / excoriation and other body-focused repetitive behaviors

Trauma and chronically feeling "on guard"

Anxiety-related substance use (using alcohol or drugs to cope, numb, or shut the mind off)

My approach is structured, skills-based, and compassionate. We’ll focus on helping you understand how anxiety and OCD actually work, learn practical tools to respond differently to fear, and gently reduce avoidance, without forcing you to “just calm down” or relive trauma before you’re ready.

I use evidence-based treatments like CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and nervous-system regulation, while also paying close attention to how your past experiences shape how safe your body feels now.

Students often tell me they appreciate that therapy with me feels:

Clear and organized (you’ll know why we’re doing what we’re doing)

Collaborative and non-judgmental

Focused on real-life change, not just insight

If anxiety, OCD, or panic is taking up more mental space than you want, or if substances have started to feel like the only way to cope, therapy can help you build safer, more sustainable ways to get through school and life.

You don’t have to do this alone.

Other Offerings available on my website:

The Freedom from Panic Intensive is a focused, short-term program designed for students who are stuck in panic attacks or fear of panic and want relief sooner than weekly therapy allows. This intensive helps you understand what’s fueling panic, reduce fear of bodily sensations, and practice responding differently to anxiety so panic no longer runs your life. It’s structured, supportive, and grounded in evidence-based treatment for panic disorder.

The Calm Mind is a self-paced online course for students who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, overthinking, or constant nervous system activation. You’ll learn practical skills to regulate anxiety, understand how your mind and body respond to stress, and build calmer, more flexible ways of coping, at your own pace. It’s a gentle starting point for students who want tools and insight, whether or not they’re ready for therapy.