1. Does Telephone Therapy Really Work?

2. What Issues Are You Qualified to Discuss?

3. Are there certain problems that are NOT appropriate for Telephone      Counseling?

4. Can I Avoid a Therapy Session and Just You Ask a Few Questions by      Email?

5. For Sexual Issues Is There Really a Difference Which Therapist I Use?

6. Is there an Additional Cost for Couple’s Therapy?

7. What are My Responsibilities for Treatment?

8. What Treatment Methods do you Use?

9. How will I know what my therapy goals are?

10. How many Sessions will I need?

11. What is Sex Therapy?

12. Who Needs Sex Therapy?

13. What can I expect from Sex Therapy?

14. Will I Ever Be Asked to Undress or Be Sexual?

15. Do You Ever Make Referrals to Medical Doctors?

16. What is the Minimum Age Requirement for Sex Therapy?

17. How Old is Too Old for Sex Therapy?

18. What Is Sexology?

19. What Is a Clinical Sexologist?

20. What is Sexuality?

21. What Is Sexual health?

22. What is Sex Addiction?

23. Do You Provide Counseling For Military Personnel?

24. What is the Procedure to Terminate my Therapy Services?

25. Will My Insurance Provider Cover My Therapy Session?

26. What Method of Payments is accepted?

27. Under What Condition Can I Receive a Refund?

Does Telephone Therapy Really Work?

Absolutely-But don’t take just my word for it. Extensive research has been conducted on telephone counseling and the results are overwhelmingly positive. A 2002 study found that telephone counseling was as effective as face-to-face counseling for a wide range of problems. (Reese, 2002) Further, many clients were even more satisfied with telephone counseling because of the improved confidentiality, convenience, and continuity of sessions. Many found it easier to maintain their appointments and as a result continued with therapy.

In March of 2006, Researchers at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in Boston tested a short-term telephone counseling program for effectiveness in improving coping skills and reducing depression and anxiety among patients who had recently experienced acute coronary syndrome. According to the principal investigator, the following were the key findings from the study: · Patients who received the intervention had a 27 percent improvement in depression symptoms · 27 percent improvement in anxiety · 38 percent improvement in their ability to carry out home management activities.

Patients who did not receive the intervention did not show a comparable improvement.

In an article published in General Psychiatry, 2005; 62:1007-1014. Several studies have shown that telephone-administered cognitive-behavioral therapy (T-CBT) is superior to forms of no treatment controls. Patients showed significant improvements in depression and positive affect during the 16 weeks of telephone-administered treatment. The results were that of the 127 participants…there were significant improvements during treatment...

In addition, of the 186 clients who responded to a survey conducted by the American Counseling Association, 96% stated that they would be willing to seek telephone counseling again compared with 63.1% who reported being willing to seek face-to-face counseling; More than half (58%) of the respondents who had experienced both telephone and face-to-face counseling preferred telephone counseling. (2)

Further, according to researchers, only 5% of individuals who begin telephone therapy stop prior to completion as opposed to 25% of those that begin face-to-face psychotherapy. Additionally, it’s convenient for those who have difficulty going to a therapist office due to physical disabilities, child care, transportation etc. According to prominent doctors like Dr. Mohr, Telephone-administered psychotherapy reduces the barriers that keep some individuals from receiving psychotherapy in person.

1. (Reese, R., Conoley, C., Brossart, D. (2002). Effectiveness of telephone counseling: A field-based investigation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 49(2). 2. http://www.counseling.org. Publication Date: 2006-00-00 Pages: 7 Pub Types: Journal Articles; Reports - Research Abstract:

Go Back To The Top

What Issues Are You Qualified to Discuss?

This year marks the 24th year that I have been practicing psychotherapy. In that time I have counseled thousands of individuals with various problems, concerns and dilemmas. Although I specialize in sex therapy, below is a partial list of areas I have explored in counseling in my practice.

Abortion Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder (ADHD) Addiction and Recovery Adoption Adjustment Complexity Adult Children of Alcoholics and Drug Addicts Adult Children of Abusive Parents Adult Children of Sexually Abusive Parents Aging Concerns Alcoholism Anger management Betrayal Career Decisions Caring for the Aging Chemical Dependency Compatibility Counseling Dealing with Disabilities Divorce Depression Domestic Violence Eating Disorders Female Survivors Gambling Addiction Gay or Lesbian Concerns Gay identity/coming out Grief and Loss Therapy Hyperactivity Impulse Disorders Impulsivity Incest Infertility/Pregnancy Insomnia Life Transitions Loneliness Marriage and Relationship Men’s Issues Mind/Body Pain Management Military Sexual Trauma (Women and Men) Male Survivors Panic Disorders Pedophilias Phobias Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Self Esteem Issues Sexual Addiction Sexual identity Smoking Cessation Spirituality Issues STD / HIV and AIDS Substance Abuse Trauma Women’s Issues Work Related Stress

Go Back To The Top

Are there certain problems that are NOT appropriate for Telephone Counseling?

Yes. Persons who experience hallucinations or psychosis or who have persistent and serious thoughts about harming themselves or others should seek local mental health assistance. In these instances, your counselor can help you determine whether your problems can be managed safely and effectively via distance counseling. In most cases, they can, but I will provide you with a honest assessment in our initial, interview. I am committed to helping you receive the help you need regardless of where you receive it.

Go Back To The Top

Can I Avoid a Therapy Session and Just You Ask a Few Questions by Email?

Absolutely not! One of the major problems facing each therapist is patients seeking quick answers to complicated issues. I would be doing you a disservice by doing this. I would be concerned about any individual therapist who claims professionalism and indulges in this kind of conduct. For quick, partial answers I would recommend visiting your local library or conducting a search on the internet for relevant reading material.

Go Back To The Top

For Sexual Issues Is There Really a Difference Which Therapist I Use?

Absolutely! A Clinical Sexologist is a specialist. If you had an ear infection would you schedule an appointment with a cardiologist? In the same manner that a woman goes to a gynecologist a dermatologist is seen for skin problems, if you have sexual questions or concerns you want to consult someone who has the greatest knowledge of your problem. Other therapist may address basic sexual concerns but as a specialist the Clinical Sexologist will be able to provide in-dept information and understanding you may require about the sexual concern.

Go Back To The Top

Is there an Additional Cost for Couple’s Therapy?

Yes. Please Click Here for rates. I work with individuals and couples; husbands and wives or significant others, Mothers & Daughters, Fathers & Sons, etc. I only require that you either use a speaker phone of separate extensions. In some cases we may arrange for three-way calling. This last option is especially useful for marriage counseling cases in which one spouse travels three of us, the husband, the wife and myself, are in three separate time zones.

Go Back To The Top

What are My Responsibilities for Treatment?

During the session, it is my responsibility to establish a comfortable environment for you, without risk of interruptions or distractions. If possible, please disengage telephone features such as call waiting and call block during the therapy session; the less distractions the better.

Go Back To The Top

What Treatment Methods do you Use?

There are many different methods of patient analysis; among the most commonly used are:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This stresses the fact that thoughts, rather than people or events, cause our negative feelings.

Humanistic Therapy which emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual. In this method therapists help their clients realize their potential through change and self-directed growth.

Existentialism which is more a philosophy of life than a specific therapy. Existentialism focuses on free will. Transactional Analysis which is a system of psychotherapy, it analyzes personal relationships and interactions in terms of conflicting or complementary ego states that correspond to the roles of parent, child and adult. Existential psychotherapy is partly based on the belief that human beings are alone in the world. This aloneness leads to feelings of meaninglessness which can be overcome only by creating one's own values and meanings and then assuming full responsibility for the results and then blaming no one but yourself if the result is less than what was desired.

My approach is more Eclectic, using various methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy. I often work with my clients to create a treatment plan that encompasses different techniques and orientations. My counseling sessions will be guided by you, not by my standards or my philosophy; my beliefs may not be yours. My goal in therapy is not to transform you to my way of thinking but rather to allow you to determine where the problem lies and then assist you in reaching a viable solution that works for you.

My approach to most counseling issues is Psychodynamic in nature. “Psychodynamic Therapy” is also known as insight-oriented therapy. It evolved from Sigmund Freud and Freudian psychoanalysis. In this method I interpret what I am told and analyze your words and behaviors. By bringing your unconscious into your conscious awareness we promote insight and aids in resolving conflict. I do rely on Interpersonal Therapy in certain instances. This is a short-term psychotherapy in which you and I identify the issues and problems of interpersonal relationships. We also explore your life history to help recognize problem areas and then work toward ways to rectify them.

Ref: http://psychologytoday.com/pto/methods.html

Go Back To The Top

How will I know what my therapy goals are?

I will work with you to help you define your therapy goals and how they can be accomplished in the shortest period of time.

Go Back To The Top

How many Sessions will I need?

How long your therapy lasts will depend on the discussions we have about your specific situation. If your personal concerns require longer-term therapy than I am able to provide, I will suggest various options.

Go Back To The Top

What is Sex Therapy?

Sex Therapy is the treatment of sexual dysfunctions or concerns. Some examples might be: An inability to work through past sexual trauma Premature ejaculation Erectile dysfunction Low sex drive Unwanted Sexual Desires Such as an Attraction to Underage Children Unwanted fetish desires Habitual masturbation Sexual addiction Sexual Issues caused by stress, tiredness or environmental relationship factors Lack of Sexual Confidence Sexual boredom Lack of Intimacy Passionless sex Sexual fears or guilt

Go Back To The Top

Who Needs Sex Therapy?

Our sex lives affect our happiness and ability to feel close to our intimate significant other, spouse or partner. Have you ever met a person that never had a problem or needed someone to talk to, neither have I. Even the most sexually happy, secure, mature people can have problems with sexual issues and can have serious concerns. There are also just times you may need feedback on issues or concerns that you have, but have no to talk to professionally. Ask Yourself…

· Is your relationship in trouble? · Does your relationship lack Passion? · Have you lost interest in Sex? · Are you on line longer than you plan seeking porn sites, sexual favors? · Is sex the problem in your relationship? · Does your mate complain about intimacy problems in your relationship? · Are there problems in your relationship with communication? · Are you experiencing guilt, shame, anger, depression, isolation or addiction related to your relationship? · Has sexual abuse as a child or adult caused problems in your life? Are you unable to maintain meaningful relationships? · Is your experiencing physical pain when you engage in sex? · Have you sexually abused someone? · Do you desire a more fulfilling sex life with your significant other or spouse? · Would you like to enhance your quality of life and increase sexual pleasure in your relationship? · Do you find yourself wondering how your life could be different? · Would you like to reach your full sexual potential? · Would you like to renew passion or re-experience passion in your relationship again and have satisfying sexual experiences? · Are you fighting all the time? Is there sexual incompatibility? · Do you have questions about your sexuality? · Is their a barrier of intimacy between you and your partner? · Are you looking for Love in all the wrong places? · Are you taking dangerous chances to engage sexually? · Are you taking risk to have sexual intimacy? · Are you involved in or thinking of having an affair due to lack of sexual fulfillment in your relationship?

Ask yourself if you are committed to achieving your full sexual potential. Sex therapy is beneficial for many people and most people benefit from the accurate, non-judgmental sex information given during a sex therapy session and from the specific suggestions offered. If you appreciate an opportunity to speak openly to a professional about intimate personal sexual issues then sex therapy can help you. You must, however, be willing to be open and honest.

Go Back To The Top

What can I expect from Sex Therapy?

Depending on your primary sexual concern, we will work together to enhance your sexual health in a variety of areas. We will talk confidentially about your concerns, explore feelings, and help you make connections, discuss options and strategies. Through sex counseling you should discover the cause and foundation of your addiction. Identify a plan that works for you and look plainly at the essential issues related to your sexual addiction. Below is a partial list of goals that we might explore together.

Improve your sexual communication skills Learn how to negotiate with a partner to get the sex you want Improve erection quality and ejaculation control Experience satisfying orgasms Create sustainable open relationship Discover what turns you on Embrace your sexual orientation Learn how to play safely Increase sexual pleasure Master the art of loving yourself Focus on fertility Learn behavior which can help prevent sexually transmitted infections Balance differences of sexual appetites in your relationship Overcome obstacles to sexual intimacy.

Go Back To The Top

Will I Ever Be Asked to Undress or Be Sexual?

No. This is phone-therapy. It is important to understand that sex therapy is strictly talk-therapy and therapeutic in nature. Therapy should never involve any form of sexual or other inappropriate physical contact. The performance of any sexual activity will never be a part of any therapy session. In my practice clients do not engage in any sexual touching or undressing. The focus of the session is self-awareness, communication and resolution of sexual concerns. These sessions are not a forum for any sexual stimulation or gratification.

Go Back To The Top

Do You Ever Make Referrals to Medical Doctors?

Yes. Many sexual issues cannot be completely solved with talk-therapy. These are physical factors contributing to sexual problems. Many of these issues must be discussed further with a medical physician. They can include many of the following:

· Injuries to the back · An enlarged prostate gland · Problems with blood supply · Nerve damage (as in spinal cord injuries) · Disease (diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, tumors, and, rarely, tertiary syphilis) · Failure of various organs (such as the heart and lungs) · Endocrine disorders (thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal gland problems) · Hormonal deficiencies (low testosterone, estrogen, or androgens) · Some birth defects

Other issues that contribute to major sexual issues are drugs, such as alcohol, nicotine, narcotics, stimulants, antihypertensives (medicines that lower blood pressure), antihistamines, and some psychotherapeutic (drugs that treat psychological problems such as depression) drugs.

EXCEPTION: If you have an illegal drug problem or are addicted to prescription medications my service would be of great benefit to you. Over the last 20 years I have worked with thousands of individuals with similar issues. Regardless of whether you associate drug addiction with your sexual problems you should immediately seek help for your addiction.

Go Back To The Top

What is the Minimum Age Requirement for Sex Therapy?

The age of consent is the age when the law says you can agree to have sex. In most countries, until you reach this age you can't legally have sex with anyone, however old they are. Sometimes the law is slightly different when the partners are of a similar age, but there is usually still a minimum age below which sex is always illegal. Age of consent laws are there to stop young people from being exploited by adults. In the United States the Age of consent is 16 as opposed to countries like Spain where it is 13 or China where legally a person can have sex at 14 or closer to home in Mexico where the male can be 12 if the women are 18. Although we are all aware that children are having sex with each other at ages well below 16 I do not consult anyone below the age of 18.

Go Back To The Top

How Old is Too Old for Sex Therapy?

The short answer is IT’S NEVER TOO LATE to talk about sexual health. I am eagerly anticipating my first centurion to use my services. Despite what many people think, seniors can lead healthy and active sexual lives. As the Baby Boomers are getting older, it's really hard to consider somebody over the age of 55, which might have been considered a senior in the past, as elderly. There has been a sexual revolution and in my clinical experience, most of the individual that are considered elderly grew up in their generation NOT talking about sex. People's willingness to be open and talk about sex came later in life for many individuals. Most individuals don't even conceive of people over the age of 80 being sexually active. But surveys show that the majority of people over the age of 70 are still very much sexually active. And when you get into the 80 and above, still about a quarter to a third of elderly women and men have sexual activity.

Go Back To The Top

What Is Sexology?

Sexology is the systematic and scientific of Human Sexual Behavior. It encompasses all aspects of sexuality including attempting to characterize “normal sexuality” and its variants.

Modern Sexology is a multidisciplinary field which uses techniques of fields including biology, medicine, psychology, statistics, epidemiology, pedagogic, anthropology, and sometimes criminology to bear on its subject. It studies human sexual development and the development of sexual relationships as well as mechanics of sexual intercourse and sexual malfunctions. It also documents the sexuality of special groups. Such as handicapped, children, and elderly, and studies sexual pathologies such as sex addiction and child and adult sexual abuse.

Sexology is considered descriptive, not prescriptive: it attempts to document reality, not prescribe what behavior is suitable, ethical, or moral.

Go Back To The Top

What Is a Clinical Sexologist?

A Clinical sexologist is someone who applies their knowledge of sexology through counseling and education. The clinical sexologist draws upon and studies many disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, and the arts to understand human sexuality. Simply stated, they listen to and understand the sexual concerns of their clients and then applies research in the field of human sexuality to the treatment of sexual problems and concerns. Clinical sexologists often provide education with the goal of generating healthier sexual attitudes and practices and dispelling myths about sex; well known researchers include the late Albert Kinsey, Masters and Johnson, and Shere Hite.

Go Back To The Top

What is Sexuality?

Sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender, identities, and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles and relationships. While sexuality can include all these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, ethical, legal, historical and religious and spiritual factors.

Go Back To The Top

What Is Sexual health?

Sexual health is the goal that you and I try to achieve in therapy. It is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality. It is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons involved must be respected, protected and fulfilled.

Go Back To The Top

What is Sex Addiction?

In exactly the same way that a drug addict or alcoholic medicates his or her feelings by drug abuse, the sex addict uses sex as a coping mechanism to deal with events that occur in their life. In exactly the same way that most drug addicts cannot “Just Say No” a sex addict can’t either without some form of professional counseling.

The sex addict spends most of his or her time pursuing sexual fantasies. Physically, some can restrain themselves for a period of time but without counseling the behavior eventually returns. The foundation for most sexual addicts is excessive masturbation combined with pornography. Psychologically, this fantasy world conditions them to depend on these stimuli and fantasies to meet their sexual and emotional needs. Many individual prefer this form of stimulation to sex with a real person. Others practice unsafe sex by having sex with numerous partners. It is not uncommon for a sex addict to never have sex with the same person twice or even bother to know their name; many meet their partners in bars or clubs and have numerous one night stands.

Organically, the sex addict like the drug addict has habituated their body to receive endorphins and enkephlines (brain substances) by supporting and reinforcing their fantasies and subsequently providing these chemicals to their brain through orgasm.

Simply stated, if a person is spending most of their time in the pursuit of having sex, masturbating, sexually fantasizing and other related behavior, it would be safe to say that they have a sex addiction. Unlike a person who has a high sex drive, a person with a sex addiction is NEVER satisfied. They may get caught by their spouse or significant other or they may be aware of how their behavior is negatively affecting every aspect of their lives but they simply can’t stop. Intervention is necessary.

Go Back To The Top

Do You Provide Counseling For Military Personnel?

If you review my Curriculum Vitae you will notice that I began my career as a social worker on an Army Base in Germany. Currently I work very closely with Veterans, Military personnel and their families. I have designed and implemented dozens of programs for this population. I am very aware of the assurance of confidentiality for Military personnel without the concern they may have of revealing their issues to their superiors and experiencing possible repercussions.

See: Will My Telephone Session be private and confidential?

Go Back To The Top

What is the Procedure to Terminate my Therapy Services?

You or I can choose to terminate the counseling relationship at any time. There is no written contract or agreement between us that dictates that we have a certain number of sessions. I may terminate the relationship if I feel that you have reached your goals, you are not progressing under my care, or I determine that your needs would be better served in another clinical setting or with another therapist. If possible I will provide you with referrals for more appropriate services should this be needed.

Go Back To The Top

Will My Insurance Provider Cover My Therapy Session?

Each insurance carrier is different.   Not all health insurance companies will provide coverage for phone therapy but most will provide coverage for in-person visits.   I file insurance claims if you have one of the following providers: Optima, Anthem-Blue Cross Blue Shield , Medicaid, LifeSynch, TRICARE , Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

For reimbursement, I will mail you the standard health insurance claim form which you may submit to your insurance company.   It would indicate the required information: dates of sessions, payments made, CPT code, and diagnosis.   In other instanced I will have my insurance specialist file your claim for your session

If you do decide to pursue reimbursement, I would encourage you to call your insurance company and /or submit your claim for their determination.   I may be considered an ‘out-of-network provider by your insurance company, in which case you could be reimbursed for part of the session cost.  

Space will not permit me to list all of the variables please call or email Dr. Sadie Sheafe for further information.  

Go Back To The Top

What Method of Payments is accepted?

All payments must be made in advance using a credit card. No checks are accepted. Online payment for credit card use is very simple. Click HERE and you will be directed to the Online Payment page. Secure Online payment is provided through "PayPal", an online payment company. If you have not used this service in the past, you will be asked to complete a one time information form. I do not have access to your credit card information. When you make a payment, I am notified by e-mail of receipt of the payment. I will then contact you with confirmation of payment and arrangements for a scheduled session time. Any questions concerning the Paypal payment system may be directed to www.Paypal.com.

Go Back To The Top

Under What Condition Can I Receive a Refund?

If you cancel your appointment within 24 hours of making the appointment you will receive your refund minus a $25.00 processing fee.

If you cancel your appointment 24 hours prior to the scheduled therapy session you receive a refund minus a $50.00

All refunds will be made by money order within one week of cancellation

Go Back To The Top