Dr. Anthony Schefstad, LCSW

Florida · 30 years in practice

Dr. Anthony Schefstad offers direct, practical help for people managing stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, and trauma.

License and registration

LCSW, Florida: SW4780 · expires March 2027
NPI: 1801804471 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 30
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.

About Anthony

Dr. Anthony Schefstad offers direct, practical help for people managing stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, and trauma. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Florida with thirty years of professional experience.

He focuses on straightforward support to help people take the next step when life feels overwhelming. He uses techniques that match each person's needs rather than a one-size-fits-all plan. That can include hypnosis-based approaches, client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral tools, motivational interviewing, and goal-focused problem solving.

Background and approach

Sessions emphasize clear goals and small, achievable steps. Clients can expect a respectful and calm approach. He prioritizes listening first and then working together to identify what helps most - skills for managing anxiety, strategies for coping after trauma, or plans to address addictive behaviors.

Conversation and practical exercises are common in sessions. Dr. Schefstad has worked across many settings over his career and brings that breadth to his practice in Florida.

He describes his role as supporting and empowering people as they make changes. He adapts conversation style and techniques to each person's situation. The focus is on helping clients build coping skills, reduce distressing symptoms, and move toward clearer goals.

Progress is tracked by what feels different in daily life, like calmer reactions, better sleep, or more control over urges. He helps people plan concrete next steps toward those changes.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Anthony lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Depression
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
Antisocial personality
Drug and alcohol addiction
First responder issues
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Multicultural concerns
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Personality disorders
Phobias
Post-traumatic stress
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Sexual assault and abuse
Smoking / vaping cessation
Social anxiety and phobia

Approaches Anthony names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

How online approaches and hypnosis can help

Hypnotherapy draws on focused attention and guided suggestion to help change habits, manage anxiety, and reduce stress-related reactions. In online sessions this can mean brief exercises and spoken guidance that help a client practice new responses between appointments.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and reflecting so clients feel heard and understood. It helps people clarify what matters to them and decide on next steps in areas like grief, career, or self-esteem.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches practical skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and managing cravings in addiction work, with concrete homework and step-by-step practice.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work collaboratively to choose methods that fit a person's goals, comfort, and daily routine. Plans can shift over time as needs change and progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility and makes it easier to fit care into a busy life. Video calls let the therapist and client work through exercises together. Phone sessions can be useful when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging are helpful for quick check-ins, brief coaching, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options let people keep momentum and practice skills in real time.

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Questions people ask

What issues does he help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include substance and process addictions, panic and phobias, post-traumatic stress, and first responder and veteran issues.

What is his therapy style like?

His style is practical and person-centered, combining listening with exercises and strategies. Sessions often mix conversation with hands-on tools to manage symptoms and reach goals.

How much experience does he have?

He brings thirty years of professional experience to his practice. That experience includes work with diverse concerns across different care settings.

What are his credentials and where is he based?

He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in Florida. His practice is based in Florida.

Which languages are supported and can international clients join?

Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Different formats suit different needs, from longer video sessions to brief check-ins by message.

How does cost and billing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

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