WELCOME FROM JEFF SHAEFFER, MDIV, MA, LPCA, ASAT

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in North Carolina. Over the past five years, while obtaining my counseling degree, I provided care to individuals and couples while being supervised at Summit Church. My experience includes treating individuals, couples and groups wanting to address personality disorders, anxiety, depression, same-sex attraction and marital issues.

I am a Associate Sex Addition Therapist (ASAT).  Additionally, I have completed Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training, and have received post-graduate training on couples treatment from Drs. John and Julie Gottman, who teach a research-based approach to strengthening relationships.  I am also taking courses from the Institute for Sexual Wholeness. This includes studying under psychologist and author Doug Rosenau, as well as under psychologist and professor Dr. Mark Yarhouse.  Dr. Yarhouse specializes in the area of Sexual Identity Theory (SIT). His research is recognized and respected by professionals working in the realm of LGBT studies.  Under Dr. Yarhouse, I received training to assess those struggling with their gender identity (SIT).

My goal is to provide a professional and comfortable environment where we can work together to address your concerns and goals.

I am willing to provide a free phone consultation to discuss my counseling philosophy and/or process.

I am working with Bull City Psychotherapy, and am currently receiving supervision from Sophia Caudle, PhD, LPC-S, CSAT-S.

I have lived in the Triangle for the past twenty years. Before becoming a counselor I was pastor, receiving my Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary outside of Boston. Years later, I went back to seminary at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. A friend once joked, “Didn’t you get it right the first time?” At Southeastern I received my Masters in Counseling.

For over fifteen years I have been qualified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). I have used this tool with individuals and groups to help people understand their own personality, as well as how they interact with others. This has been critical as I have worked with people regarding successful job placement.

As a Christian, my faith is the core of who I am. I respect and understand the importance of a person’s belief system and how that influences life decisions, even if it is a faith different from my own. I am eager to work with clients of all backgrounds to achieve optimum health and meet their personal objectives.

Therapeutic orientations most often utilized in counseling include cognitive behavioral, solution focused, and a variety of other techniques including, but not limited to Gestalt, group therapy, and role playing. The individual needs of the client combined with the treatment goals established often determines the orientation(s) that will be most effective. It is also important for the client to feel as though the therapeutic orientation is a good match for his/her personality and needs.

Payment
I accept cash, check and major credit cards; payment is expected at the beginning of each session.

Cancellation Policy
If you do not show up for your scheduled appointment, and you have not notified me at least 48 hours in advance, you will be required to pay a missed session fee of $50.00.

Schedule Online
Request an appointment online here.

Contact
Questions? Please contact me for further information.

FAQ

General questions about counseling

Is therapy right for me?

There are many reasons why people come to therapy. It may be to deal with marital issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes such as a divorce or work transition. Many people seek the advice of a therapist as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for life’s challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change.

What can I expect in a therapy session?

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual’s specific goals. Typically discussion will center around primary issues and concerns in your life. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts 50 minutes. Sometimes individuals who are going through a particularly difficult time may request more time per session or more than one session per week. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of a session, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. Between sessions it is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between sessions.

What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?

Therapy can provide insight and new perspectives into life’s challenges and can help create solutions to difficult problems. Many people find that working with a therapist can enhance personal development, improve relationships and family dynamics, and can ease the challenges of daily life. Sometimes just having someone listen is helpful. Overall, people in therapy tend to have lower levels of anxiety and stress, decreased conflict, and improved quality of life.

Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Developing new skills for handling stress and anxiety
• Modifying unhealthy behavior and long-standing patterns
• Attaining insight into personal patterns and behavior
• Increasing confidence, peace, vitality, and well-being
• Improving ways to manage anger, depression and moods
• Discovering new ways to solve problems
• Navigating life’s obstacles more effectively
• Improving listening and communication skills
• Enhancing the overall quality of life

DIRECTIONS

My office is located near Kildaire Farm Road and Kilmayne Drive in Cary; at this intersection you will see Big Lots, Taco Bell, and a Wells Fargo branch.  From Kildaire Farm Road, turn on to Kilmayne Drive and take the second entrance on the left, entering The Courtyards Office Condominiums.  Go straight until the end.  Take a right, and you will see an entrance to building #106.  Come into this entrance and my office is on the left.

CONTACT

Call: 919-377-9449

Email: jeff@shaeffercounseling.com