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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Psychooncology. 2020 Dec 23;30(5):681–690. doi: 10.1002/pon.5613

Table 1.

Skill-Building Exercises in the Starting the Conversation (STC) Intervention

Exercise Title Learning Objective(s) Activities
1 Practice Using the SEA Model (be Specific; Explain why the concern is important; Ask a question) Recognize and structure effective ways of expressing concerns using SEA model

  1. Read ineffective sexual health statement (e.g., ‘Things are just not happening ‘down there’ at all these days”)

  2. Write better version using SEA model (e.g., “I’ve been having vaginal dryness and it’s making sex uncomfortable. What are some things I could try for this?”)
2 Identify Your Current Problems/Concerns Identify and prioritize concerns using checklist of sexual/menopausal concerns

  1. Check off all problems/concerns from checklist

  2. Check off top concern on list to discuss with clinician at next visit
3 Plan and Practice My Communication Plan and practice intended communication for clinic visit

  1. Write statement of concern to share with clinician using SEA model

  2. Practice out loud

  3. Revise concern, repeat if necessary

  4. Write down concern/bring to clinic visit