Maryland counselor Stephen Sayre surrenders license while under investigation for sex with female patient

December 15, 2011

On July 5, 2011, the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists accepted the voluntary surrender of licensed clinical professional counselor Stephen Sayre. The Board’s document in this matter consists of a formal letter written by Sayre in which he acknowledges that he decided to surrender his license willingly due to an investigation on allegations that he engaged in a sexual relationship and dual relationship with a female patient during the course of the client-counselor relationship and that he exploited the client for his own personal advantage. Further, Sayre acknowledged that he was aware that the client suffered from a complex medical/psychiatric history including a significant head trauma; sexual abuse and exploitation; prior suicide attempts and drug and alcohol abuse/addiction, among other things. Lastly, he admitted that despite this knowledge, he entered into a social and sexual relationship with the client; allowed the client to stay in his home; provided her transportation; posted bail for her and paid for her to enter into a substance abuse rehab program, among other things.

Source: Letter of Stephen Sayre, Surrender of License as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, License Number LC2335, Case Number 2009-26.