Brian K. Shaffer PhD, FT, LPC, CPC, LMHC, NCC, ICAADC, ACS

About:

Dr. Brian K. Shaffer is a counselor educator, clinical supervisor, and licensed clinician with more than three decades of experience in hospice, hospital, and community-based care, and a clinical focus on addiction, grief, and bereavement. He holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. His doctoral dissertation, a generic qualitative inquiry, examined how clergy perceive their psychosocial needs in retirement.

Dr. Shaffer is licensed as a professional counselor in Pennsylvania and Michigan and as a mental health counselor in Florida and New Hampshire. He is a National Certified Counselor, an International Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICAADC), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and a Fellow in Thanatology (FT). His earlier career included chaplaincy and bereavement coordination at The Ohio State University Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital, Mount Carmel Health System, Odyssey Hospice, Children’s Hospital in Columbus, and St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, followed by clinical work as an outpatient therapist and continuing care coordinator in addiction treatment settings.

A graduate educator since 2020, Dr. Shaffer has taught and supervised counseling students at Walden University, Southern New Hampshire University, Grand Canyon University, Divine Mercy University, Bethany Lutheran College, Montreat College, South University, Capella University, and Oakland University. His teaching spans addiction counseling, psychopharmacology, counseling theory, case management, appraisal and assessment, and practicum and internship supervision. He has authored book chapters on cultural considerations, ethics, and drug court systems in addiction treatment, and has presented nationally and internationally on grief, clinical supervision, ethical practice, and the person of the therapist. He serves on the board of Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church and as a Disaster Mental Health Services volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Education:

PhD, Counselor Education and Supervision, Capella University, 2024

MS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Capella University, 2017 (summa cum laude)

MA, Theological and Pastoral Studies, Anglican Institute (St. Alban’s Theology Seminary), 1997 (summa cum laude)

BA, Religious Studies, Thomas Edison University, 1994 (summa cum laude)

Clinical Pastoral Education (2 units each), Mount Carmel Health System (ACPE), 2004; Children’s Hospital (ACPE), 2000

Classes Teaching:

CMHC 5720 DSM and Psychopharmacology I

CMHC 5720 DSM and Psychopharmacology II

Publications:

Shaffer, B. (2025). Cultural considerations & spirituality in addiction treatment. In M. E. Sprong et al., The substance-related disorder (pp. 41–54). Kendall Hunt Publishing.

Shaffer, B. (2025). Legislative & ethical perspectives of treatment. In M. E. Sprong et al., The substance-related disorder (pp. 55–72). Kendall Hunt Publishing.

Shaffer, B. (2025). Drug court system. In M. E. Sprong et al., The substance-related disorder (pp. 73–92). Kendall Hunt Publishing.

Shaffer, B. (2024). A generic qualitative inquiry into how clergy perceive their psychosocial needs of retirement (Publication No. 31327960) [Doctoral dissertation, Capella University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.

Professional Associations:

American Counseling Association (ACA)

American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)

Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)

Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC)

Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)

International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors (IAAOC)

College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP)

Hospice Foundation of America (HFA)

National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC)

Spiritual Care Association (SCA)

Sandplay Therapists of America (STA)

Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA)

Pennsylvania Mental Health Counselors Association (PAMHCA)

Pennsylvania Association of Addiction Professionals (PAAP)