Lee Schaefer PMHNP-BC, LCSW

I’m a Psychotherapist and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, with training grounded in a person-centered, holistic, and culturally sensitive approach. I work from a biopsychosocial perspective, looking beyond symptoms to understand the person as a whole: their history, relationships, identities, environment, and the broader context of their life. No person or problem exists in a vacuum, and there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. Much of my work involves anxiety and the ways it can manifest in our relationships, sense of identity, relationship with our bodies and food, and through addictions and compulsive behaviors. My approach is existential and humanistic; I believe meaningful change begins with understanding and accepting where you are. Therapy can help illuminate patterns and deepen self-understanding, while medication management can be incorporated when appropriate. I view medication as one tool among many, considered collaboratively and in the context of the whole person.

I have a degree in Philosophy, and many aspects of my therapeutic approach are influenced by it. I’m particularly drawn to the Philosophy of Identity, Philosophy of Mind, Existentialism, and Phenomenology. I believe that understanding ourselves and our experiences requires more than any one perspective; science, psychology, and philosophy each offer different ways of making sense of what it means to be human. We live in a world that often rewards quick answers, constant productivity, and narrow ways of thinking. With so much competing for our attention, it can be difficult to slow down, stay grounded, and remain connected to our own experience—to know what we actually feel, what matters to us, and how we want to live. I believe therapy offers a space to step outside of that noise. It gives us an opportunity to become more curious about ourselves, develop a deeper understanding of our experiences and desires, and consider how we want to grow into the person we are, and want to be.