Hi, I’m Angela
Psychotherapy. Ketamine-Assisted Therapy. Writing. Martial Arts.
Angela D. Schaffner, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist practicing in-person in Atlanta, Georgia with a PSYPACT license that allows her to practice telehealth with clients in 40+ states as well. She sees adults, adolescents, and couples in person in Atlanta, and can see clients virtually in most states in the U.S. Click here to see the states PSYPACT includes. She completed her doctorate in 2005 at Ball State University in Indiana, her pre-doctoral internship at Emory University Counseling Center, and her post-doctoral internship at an eating disorder day treatment center in Atlanta.
Dr. Schaffner is trauma-informed and practices therapy as a level 2 AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) therapist, which means she has advanced training in relational and somatic work with clients. She also integrates an Internal Family Systems approach. She is a third degree black belt in taekwondo, a meaningful practice that helped her understand the concept of embodiment as it relates to mental health. She practiced martial arts for 10+ years and created experiential interventions for clients in group therapy that integrate martial arts and self-defense techniques as they symbolize the change process.
Dr. Schaffner loves working with adolescents and adults who are going through times of transition, spiritual and relational questions and struggles, anxiety, and depression. She works well with clients who want to have a better relationship with their bodies and food, and those who are healing from trauma. She enjoys seeing couples who are dealing with challenges around communication, parenting, intimacy, and seasons of transition and works with couples from an Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) approach.
Dr. Schaffner also does low-dose ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), an intervention that requires a medical assessment followed by preparation for the ketamine session(s) and integration work following the work with the medicine.This type of treatment can be especially helpful for treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dr. Schaffner is an author of two books, articles in professional journals, and contributions to devotional guides and resources for church communities. She has been interviewed on podcasts and is available for public speaking on topics related to mental health in retreat and workshop settings. Recent topics include mindfulness, spirituality, eating disorders and embodiment, and destigmatization.
Dr. Schaffner would be glad to speak with you about other questions you may have about her therapeutic approach and whether she may be a good fit for you and your mental health needs. She values diversity and believes in the power of psychotherapy to facilitate change and help clients live into their strengths, experience more fulfilling and lasting relationships, and heal from trauma and past wounds.