Mormon Mental Health Podcast

On this panel episode, Natasha hosts Michelle Peets, Jenny Ellege and Ellan Alexander as they discus concern in the rise of domestic violence.   Resource:   Duluth Model: Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs https://www.theduluthmodel.org   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2022, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha Helfer interviews Brittney Hartley in her journey towards becoming a spiritual director and the importance of spirituality in our lives, religious or not.   Brittney joins Bill Reel weekly on the podcast, “Almost Awakened.”   You can find out more by going to:  https://www.nononsensespirituality.com nnspirituality@gmail.com To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2022, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Join Natasha, Allan Alexander and Lisa Butterworth for a discussion on upping emotional intelligence in one way or another!   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2022, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.  

Natasha Helfer, Tami Harris and Lisa Butterworth talk about healthy strategies and framings to get us through the Holiday season in ways that feel authentic and meaningful.   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha Helfer, Allan Alexander and Michelle Peets talk about emotional intelligence as it relates to how males are socialized and how that shows up in their work with couples and individuals. How they love to help men with sex, intimacy, and relational success! To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha interviews Drew Hansen about this great new resource for families. For more, including a free two week trial, please visit upliftkids.org.   To help keep Mormon Mental Health Podcast going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha is joined by Jesse Funk on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. They discuss how the church has sent members to infiltrate and report back on Post-Mormon Retreats and Support Groups.   For resources, please visit:    natashahelfer.com getmormonhelp.com   To help keep Mormon Mental Health Podcast going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Jeff Lundgren hosts this episode of Mormon Mental Health Podcast. He is joined by Rachel Brown, LCSW, who works with those going through a faith transition/changing their relationship with the LDS church.  In this episode, Jeff and Rachel discuss the 6 principles of sexual health by Doug Braun Harvey in the context of the Mormon experience. The 6 principles include: Consent Non-Exploitative Honesty Shared Values Protection from STIs, HIV and unwanted Pregnancies Mutual Pleasure To find out more on the 6 principles, you can visit:  https://www.theharveyinstitute.com/six-principles-of-sexual-health And/or check out the series Natasha Helfer did with Doug Braun Harvey on 6 principles of Sexual Health: Consent: https://mormonsex.info/2017/10/22/057-sexual-principle-1-consent/ Non-Exploitative: https://mormonsex.info/2017/11/21/058-sexual-principle-2-non-exploitative/ Honesty: https://mormonsex.info/2018/01/15/062-sexual-principle-4-honesty/ Shared Values: https://mormonsex.info/2018/02/05/066-sexual-principle-5-shared-values/ Part 1: https://mormonsex.info/2017/11/29/059-sexual-principle-3-unwanted-pregnancy/ Part 2: https://mormonsex.info/2017/12/19/060-sexual-principle-3-avoiding-stis/ Protection from STIs, HIV and unwanted Pregnancies Mutual Pleasure: https://mormonsex.info/2018/03/12/071-sexual-principle-6-mutual-pleasure/ Complicating the 6 principles of sexual health: https://mormonsex.info/2018/04/09/075-complicating-the-6-sexual-health-principles/ To find out more about Jeff, visit Wasatch Family Therapy in Sandy, Utah. To contact Rachel, email her at wandercounseling@gmail.com. To help keep Mormon Mental Health Podcast going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

The Symmetry Solutions Team goes through the recent address by Holland, given at BYU, offering an educational lens in being able to recognize when inappropriate tactics are being used in a minimizing, belittling or abusive way. This especially impacts the LGBTQ+ community and their families. It has both local and global implications for which we are highly concerned.   The last 30 min discusses resources for anyone needing help because of this address.   For more about Colette Dalton, please visit: https://www.symmetrysols.com/colette-dalton   For more about Jenny Elledge, please visit: https://www.symmetrysols.com/jennyelledge   For more about Michelle Peets, please visit: https://www.symmetrysols.com/michelle-peets   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Jeff Lundgren hosts this episode of "Mormon Mental Health Podcast." He is joined by Blaire Ostler as she talks about her new book "Queer Mormon Theology: An Introduction." To purchase the book, you can find it on Amazon: "Queer Mormon Theology: An Introduction" by Blaire Ostler To help keep "Mormon Mental Health Podcast" going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

The Symmetry Solutions team discusses the dour implications of continued hate speech that comes from LDS leaders towards our LGBTQ+ communities.   They also discuss ways to help including resources in our community.   Please consider donating to keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021. Please visit mormonmentalhealth.org to donate.

This episode was previously recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" and is being refurbished here on "Mormon Mental Health Podcast." Natasha interviews Katie Langston about her new memoir, “Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace.”  Katie talks about how sexual shame became a regular part of her upbringing as early as age 3-4 due to her mother's distress with normative masturbation. Along with non-comprehensive sexual education, worthiness interviews with bishops and other hurdles, Katie struggles to understand and accept things as normal as her body, interest and crushes on boys, and her worth as an individual.  Katie believes that her development of OCD was exacerbated by her rigid and conservative environment that constantly pitted her against her own mind/body.  You can purchase Katie's book at: https://www.amazon.com/Sealed-Unexpected-Journey-Heart-Grace/dp/B0942XKY98/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Sealed&qid=1621036279&sr=8-2&fbclid=IwAR20ln6I9UbxLH6tB3oGqu4R_Lu8c0st_AlQt-_GJVTTJROapuhIqXXTzW8 To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

This episode was previously recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" and is being refurbished here on "Mormon Mental Health Podcast." Natasha interviews Kyle on his experience with her disciplinary council and what it means to the LGBTQ LDS community. Kyle is the host of Latter Gay Stories: https://lattergaystories.org/about/ To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.    

This episode was previously recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" and is being refurbished here on "Mormon Mental Health Podcast." Natasha Helfer interviews Jennifer Gonzalez about her emotional experience going through the last few weeks leading to her excommunication and how “whiteness” plays a part. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.    

This episode was previously recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" and is being refurbished here on "Mormon Mental Health Podcast." Lisa Butterworth, LCPC, NCC interviews Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CST-S about her response to the Washington Post Piece - Part 1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/.../mormon-sex.../... https://www.aasect.org Letter that was drafted by a group of about 30 LDS therapists sharing their concerns about ethics and the dangers of church overreach or discipline for practicing in line with one's professional and clinical standards: https://docs.google.com/.../1jNYb0i2ksVQ_Zb.../edit To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

This episode was previously recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" and is being refurbished here on "Mormon Mental Health Podcast." Host Lisa Butterworth interviews Kersti Spjut and discuss the Family Acceptance Project. They discuss facts of LDS Parents of LGBTQ youth. Resources:  The Family Acceptance Project (familyproject.sfsu.edu) – the absolute best resource. Start here! They have a video and pamphlet specifically for LDS families. Mormons Building Bridges (mormonsbuildingbridges.org) have a couple good info pages with links to articles and a glossary of terms. Listen, Learn, & Love (listenlearnandlove.org/podcasts): Richard Ostler’s podcast, about the experiences of LGBTQ members of the Church PFLAG.org has lots of good resources The Trevor Project (thetrevorproject.org) has good resources specifically for addressing suicidality Books for parents The Transgender Teen by Stephanie Brill & Lisa Kenney The Transgender Child by Stephanie Brill & Rachel Papper Raising the Transgender Child, by Michele Angello & Alisa Bowman This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids, by Dannielle Owens-Reid Unconditional, by Telaina Eriksen Lisa Diamond Ted Talk "Born this Way"   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

This episode was previously recorded for “Mormon Sex Info” and is being refurbished here for your enjoyment. This is a conversation between prominent LDS therapists about the upcoming membership council Natasha Helfer is facing this weekend (April 18, 2021). To help keep Mormon Sex Info going past 2021, please donate at mormonsex.info. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org

This episode was originally recorded for the "Healing Sols Podcast" and is being refurbished here for your enjoyment. Natasha Helfer and Kristin Bennion discuss their concerns about what has been happening in the nation with the rise of conspiracy theories and their dangers from a psychological perspective. "The ‘Shared Psychosis’ of Donald Trump and His Loyalists" https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-shared-psychosis-of-donald-trump-and-his-loyalists/?fbclid=IwAR2fwhFtvUalzsAQ8B5nKgK4_5XdgHLsbdA6Q8SWXtvn8_TxIzC7z9Uuqro For more on Kristin, you can visit: https://www.intimateconnectionscounseling.com/about/ To keep Mormon Mental Health going passed 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Jeff Lundgren is joined by Andrea Bradshaw Jessop in this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Andrea shares her journey of leaving polygamy and finding her identity after years of not knowing what it was. She shares the ups and downs and leaving, including the mental health journey she endured. Andrea can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.bradshaw.9275 You can find her practice, Joyful Energy Now, also on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Joyful-Energy-Now-109260790416339/ To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Jeff Lundgren hosts this episode of Mormon Mental Health. He is joined by Andraea Lynne who shares her experience with ethical non-monogamy and her experience having grown up in the church. They discuss the beginnings of polygamy within the Mormon religion and posit the idea that it wasn’t ethical, but was about property. Andraea then shares her experiences and how it’s a lot of work and it requires communication and boundaries. She then leaves with giving some helpful tips and resources for anyone interested in finding out more. You can also join her Facebook groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1790658221146223/?ref=share https://www.facebook.com/groups/2140468222646608/?ref=share To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2021, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

This episode was originally recorded for the "Healing Sols Podcast" and has been refurbished for your enjoyment. For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit https://www.natashahelfer.com. Nuance in Considering Late Term Abortion with Analiesa Leonhardt who is a nurse midwife, has a doctorate as a nurse practitioner from the university of Utah and was a doula for five years prior. She recently wrote a facebook post - https://www.facebook.com/analiesa.leonhardt/posts/10164136788910007 - that caught Natasha's attention in regards to the current legislation trying to be passed in Colorado (prop 115) in regards to limiting abortion after 22 weeks. Analiesa does a phenomenal job educating us about the moral and ethical impications of such a measure in regards to a woman's ability to make decisions, especially when facing the devastating news that the fetus has medical complications that may not allow for the baby to live past delivery. She shares statistics and information that are important to consider as we all face the dilemmas around our views on abortion, and the consequences of the current polarized discussion on this topic. Her thoughtful language and approach to this topic has a profound impact on the listener. You will value the listen.

This episode was originally recorded for the "Healing Sols Podcast" and has been refurbished for your enjoyment. For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit https://www.natashahelfer.com. Being Resilient as an Individual and within Relationships with Christian Moore, LCSW, founder of whytry.org and author of The Resilience Breakthrough: 27 Tools for Turning Adversity into Action. Christian travels the world presenting to all kinds of organizations, specifically those serving underpriviliged youth, about rising above very challenging situations usually affected by learning disorders. We discuss the traits and behaviors that lead towards resilience minded frameworks and how these can benefit your life, mental and relational health. How do we better understand the differences of unconditional vs. conditional love and what they both reap? What is "street resilience"? What does a role of a mentor in our development offer? Are we really just supposed to be getting "rid" of negative feelings? What role can what are typcially labeled "negative feelings" play in empowerment and self-transformation? How can we get along with people who believe fundamentally different things than we do (super important part of the podcast given we are just days away from the US election)? Christian is a brilliant thinker who has put his own life experience to the test in regards to his theoretical framing. Transformative listen that I recommend going through at least twice!

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org     During a “Face to Face” with church youth on September 13th, 2020, Elder Donald Rasband answered questions including, “I have serious questions about the truth claims of the church and I am seriously considering removing my name from the records of the church. Can you give me a reason I should stay?”   He proceeds to answer with an example of a young man who had struggled with depression and suicidality.   Jeff Lundgren (https://www.symmetrysols.com/jefflundgren) hosts this episode of Mormon Mental Health Podcast to talk about the harm of Elder Rasband’s response. He is joined by:   Merri-Grace Allred, currently getting her PhD in Immunology from the University of Iowa   AJ Jano who shares his personal experiences with depression and suicidal ideation in the church   Alessandra Jacobson who is a Marriage and Family Therapist   Clair Mellenthin, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Play Therapist Supervisor and author of, “Attachment Center Play Therapy: Play Therapy Proved Strategy for Child Disorders” and “My Many Colors of Me Workbook.” She is also a media expert on children and family issues.   And Michael Benjamin, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, primarily a therapist with children, adolescence and their families.   The panelists share their reactions to the response by Elder Rasband and then dive into advice for church leaders, parents and, really, all of us.   Resources discussed:   The National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255 suicidepreventionlifeline.org   My3 – A sucide prevention app https://my3app.org   The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org   To help keep this podcast going past 2020, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Hosts Jennifer White, LCSW and Jeff Lundgren, CMHC chat in this episode of Mormon Mental Health Podcast about how transitioning Mormons explore substances including coffee, alcohol, cannabis, psilocybin and ayahuasca. Jennifer and Jeff will be presenting on this topic at the Sunstone Digital Symposium July 30th, 2020 at 3:25pm-4:25pm MST. For more information, please visit: https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/registration/ To help keep this podcast going past 2020, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha Helfer Parker, Lisa Butterworth, Jenny Elledge and Tami Harris talk about alternate approaches to depression. This episode is offered by Symmetry Solutions and shared with Mormon Mental Health Podcast. Please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org to keep the podcast going past 2020.

*Please note that this episode contains some technical issues. We thank you for your understanding. On this episode of Mormon Mental Health Podcast, Jimmy Bridges is joined by Emily Janes, MS, a Marriage and Family therapist about to start her doctoral program at Texas University in the fall. In this interview, Emily discusses the findings from her masters thesis where she interviewed women in the Mormon community who had experienced disaffiliation from the church. Emily discusses “Hybrid Identity Theory” which is the main theory she used to research her topics of womanhood, identity, and church disaffiliation: Hybrid Identity Theory is used to examine, “the encounter, conflict, and/or blending of two ethnic or cultural categories which, while no means pure and distinct in nature, tend to be understood and experienced as meaningful identity labels by members of these categories” (Lo, 2002, p. 199). The full citation is: Lo, M. M. (2002). Doctors within borders: Profession, ethnicity, and modernity in colonial Taiwan. University of California Press. Please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org to keep the podcast going past 2020.

Natasha Helfer Parker is joined by Lisa Butterworth as they talk about racism and white supremacy and, in particular, how these pervasive systems affect the mental health and well-being of our communities. This episode is offered by Symmetry Solutions and shared with Mormon Mental Health Podcast. In lieu of donating to Mormon Mental Health Podcast, we encourage you to donate to various Black Lives Matter organizations including: To donate to the NAACP, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/naacp-1 To donate to Black Lives Matter, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Join Natasha Helfer Parker for a fascinating and emotional discussion with Dr. Fatimah Salleh about racism within Christianity and the LDS Church. Please consider taking her upcoming 6-week workshop on dismantling racism within the LDS church. Healing and anti-racism work begins with being willing to sit in spaces where our minds and beliefs are opened and challenged. Fatimah will definitely bring that ability to the table, with a grace and spunk that speaks to my soul. To sign up for her workshop, “Spit & Mud: The Messy Miracle of Sight,” please go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spit-and-mud-the-messy-miracle-of-seeing-christian-racism-tickets-109406690356?fbclid=IwAR0syLgRAixy1my2R5jCMXx6f8M83rv3t_CX6D4d7AosRy-10gKnciT0i2k "Spit & Mud" is a six week online workshop focusing on the impact of racism within the Christian church. In lieu of donating to Mormon Mental Health Podcast, we encourage you to donate to various Black Lives Matter organizations including: To donate to the NAACP, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/naacp-1 To donate to Black Lives Matter, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Join Natasha for an interview with the fabulous Mica McGriggs about racial equality and social impact. Dr. McGriggs defines racism, white fragility and white supremacy and why Mormons are more vulnerable to racism. They discuss “systems” and what we as white people can do to not be complicit. Dr. McGriggs will be offering a class for anyone to join. To find out more, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/racial-equity-social-impact-tickets-104768040028?fbclid=IwAR1QCgrdBfD_efgtLQCOfeOGYn12SGw11Q-TXFP-5uJ2T0wW9yFvYGN8Azk Resources discussed in this episode: “Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness” by Paul Reeve https://www.amazon.com/Religion-Different-Color-Struggle-Whiteness/dp/0199754071 “The Bridge Poem” by Donna Kate Rushin https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/thebridgepoem.html W.E.B. Du Bois and “double consciousness” First used in an Atlantic Monthly article, “Strivings of the Negro People” in 1897: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1897/08/strivings-of-the-negro-people/305446/ More information on “Double Consciousness” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_consciousness NAACP Legal Defense Fund https://www.naacpldf.org “Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and The Problem of Racial Innocence” by Joanna Brooks https://www.amazon.com/Mormonism-White-Supremacy-American-Innocence-ebook/dp/B08761ZHCP President Russel M. Nelson’s social media statement condemning racism and pleading for peace https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/posts/3015443371856412 Deseret News article on President Nelson’s social media statement https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-06-01/president-nelson-addresses-race-in-social-media-post-185657 To donate to the NAACP, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/naacp-1 To donate to Black Lives Matter, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Host Jeff Lundgren is joined by guest Vhari Macbeth.  She talks about her research on self-compassion with LDS Woman.   You can find out more by visiting: https://www.cedarpsychiatry.com   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2020, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Join Jimmy Bridges for another episode of Mormon Mental Health Podcast. With us is Dr. Tyler Lefevor on intersections of religion, gender, sexuality, and health.   Please consider participating in the 4 Options Survey: 4optionssurvey.com   This survey is designed to identify important aspects of life and relationships for those who experience (or have experienced) same-sex sexual attractions and identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer (LGBQ), heterosexual, or with another sexual identity or reject a label who are or were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), and analyze if there are any similarities or differences between those who are: 1 - Single and celibate* 2 - Single and not celibate 3 - In a heterosexual/mixed-orientation** relationship; or 4 - In a same-sex relationship Those in other types of relationship and single statuses are also invited to participate to expand our understanding of possible options. This study also investigates if or how religious/spiritual issues are involved in respondents’ level of satisfaction and relationship or single status.   To find out more about Dr. Lefevor, please visit: https://www.rhodes.edu/bio/tyler-lefevor   Other resources mentioned in this podcast:   Affirmations: https://www.goaffirmations.org/about-us Latter Gay Stories: https://lattergaystories.org “Far Between” by Kendall Wilcox: http://farbetweenmovie.com/about/ “Voices of Hope”: https://www.northstarlds.org/voices-of-hope   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2020, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Please note there were technical difficulties so we thank you in advance for your understanding.   Join host Jimmy Bridges as he interviews Dr. Michelle Washburn-Busk, PhD, licensed marriage and family therapist, as she unpacks sneaky forms of sexism. With her recent completion of her dissertation on gender, power, and couples, and hundreds of hours of clinical experience with couples, Dr. Washburn-Busk defines and demonstrates what benevolent sexism is, what it looks like, and how to appropriately address it in couple relationships.   For more on Dr. Washburn-Busk, you can go here: https://www.andrewsinc.net/michelle-washburn-busk.html   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2020, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

On this episode of Mormon Mental Health, Natasha interviews Dr. Jimmy Bridges, PhD, LMFT, CFLE, on privilege awareness. Natasha is also excited to announce Jimmy will be one of the new hosts for Mormon Mental Health. For more information and to contact Jimmy, please visit: https://www.symmetrysols.com/jimmybridges To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2020, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

On this joint production with Symmetry Solutions, Natasha hosts a panel discussion with Jana Spangler, IPC, and Jenny Elledge, LMFT, to discuss LDS missionaries returning home due to COVID-19 and things families and individuals are needing to navigate unexpectedly. To find out more about Symmetry Solutions, please visit:  symmetrysols.com To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2020, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Join Natasha Helfer Parker as she interviews Kattie and Allan Mount from the “Marriage on a Tightrope Podcast.” They will discuss this mixed-faith marriage resource as well as an upcoming 6-week online class that the three will be partnering on to help the many who need strategies and education on how to navigate mixed-faith marriage in edifying family-friendly ways. To register for the online class, please go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-on-a-tightrope-tickets-97487950083?fbclid=IwAR3hF9js1_H-z1aIpviwQ83RnsPiq0zKkqe6htrgjOY7rzwoEZSxV7xL1nc To see a therapist or wellness coach, including Kattie who has just joined the Symmetry Solutions team, please visit Natasha’s online practice: symmetrysols.com   Please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org to keep the podcast going past 2020.

Jennifer White hosts this episode of Mormon Mental Health. She is joined by Wendy Christian, a psychoanalyst and licensed clinical social worker in New York City trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and trauma-focused therapy. Prior to becoming a mental health professional, Wendy studied American Literature at BYU where she wrote her master’s thesis on women in the Book of Mormon. Subsequently, Wendy obtained a master’s degree in clinical social work at Fordham University and post-graduate training in marriage and family therapy and in psychoanalysis and religion at the Blanton-Peale Institute. Wendy has a private practice in Manhattan and can be contacted through her web site wendychristiantherapy.com. Jennifer and Wendy discuss how an individual can make a faith transition out of Mormonism. Some of the questions Jennifer and Wendy discuss are What does it look like if someone is having a faith crisis? What advice would you give to those leaving the church in setting healthy boundaries? What unique challenges do Mormons face when they leave the church? The following resources are mentioned in the episode: A Thoughtful Faith Podcast with Gina Colvin episodes 170 & 171: Enmeshed Family Systems, Differentiation and Faith Crisis: A Discussion with Wendy Christian and Friends THRIVE Exponent II organization @parenting.aftermormonism on Instagram Thoughtful Transitions Facebook group Mormon Spectrum in-person meet-ups Mormon Stories Podcast Community on Facebook Sunstone magazine, podcasts, annual conference.

Natasha interviews Cherie Burton in this episode of Mormon Mental Health. They discuss concerns with religion, Mormonism, concerns for women in Mormonism and then things you can do for self-care. Cherie Burton is the host of the “Women Seeking Wholeness” podcast. To find out more about her and the programs she offers, visit: https://cherieburton.com/category/womenseekingwholeness/ Please donate to Mormon Mental Health to keep this podcast going past 2020. Thank you.

From Mormon Stories, this is Part 2 of our review of the recently announced changes to the LDS Church's General Handbook of Instructions. Major changes include: - Major changes to the church's Disciplinary Council and Exommunication processes. - Major changes for LGBTQ Mormons, and specifically for Transgender Mormons. - Some minor changes for women/feminists. - Other changes to general policy. Tonight our panel includes Natasha Helfer Parker, Gina Colvin, Anthony D. Miller, Kyle Ashworth, Samantha Taylor, and Jana Johnson Spangler. For a comprehensive over of changes, see here: https://www.mormonstories.org/…/a-summary-of-todays-change…/ Part 1 can be found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1260-major-changes-to-lds-general-handbook-instructions/id312094772?i=1000466221815

Join host Jennifer White as she interviews Jesse Ellis, LCSW. Jesse shares his personal story of being a child victim of sexual abuse. Jesse talks about about the negativity that came into his life was more from the shame rather than early introduction to sexuality. Jesse is a therapist at Utah Valley Psychiatry and Counseling Services. To contact him you can call his office: 801-357-7525 Or find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesse.wren.ellis

Natasha was a guest on the "Wannabe Balanced Mom" Podcast. To find out more, visit:  http://www.wannabebalanced.com/2019/05/ep-57-healing-from-sexual-shame-w-natasha-helfer-parker/ Trigger Warning. If you’ve experienced sexual trauma, some of the things we discuss in this episode may trigger unwanted emotions to surface. Natasha Helfer Parker, a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist coaches Sean and I through sexual shame and trauma. Natasha has 20 years experiencecounseling individuals, couples, and families. Her areas of expertise includes working within the intersections of faith, life transitions and sexuality.

Natasha joined Braxton Dutson on his podcast, "Birds and Bees Podcast". For more information, visit: https://www.birdsandbeespodcast.com/ep-041-masturbation-values-and-kids-with-natasha-heifer-parker-mfr-cst/ Masturbation, There are a lot of euphemisms for the word that makes many people uncomfortable to talk about. Let’s face it, many parents are worried about what it means if their child masturbates.  If you are a parent who wants to be able to support your child in building values around masturbation while also avoiding shaming them then this episode is for you. Braxton and Natasha Heifer-Parker, MFT, CST are here to help dispel myths, talk about values, talk about masturbation, and to support parents in creating a value-centric view on masturbation. This is especially supportive for those who live in religious communities and practice themselves.  Many of us have grown up in a religious setting that explicitly or overtly teaches values about masturbation. It is difficult to be able to follow these values while also addressing the reality that the majority of children are participating in self-soothing/masturbation practices.  In this Episode we explore:  The question “when does masturbation usually start?” Speaking to values when addressing masturbation  Different approaches to conversations about masturbation with your child.  Avoiding shame when having these (multiple) conversations.  Creating “I Do’s” in what you value, VS following a “to Do” list. Historical views of Masturbation and how they affect us now.  Identifying what we want for our children as a sexual being later in life.  Offering a value-centric view on Masturbation in religious communities while addressing the ways we can best support our children.  Natasha Helfer-Parker, MFT, CST speaks with Braxton about being able to explore these topics, address uncomfortable situations, and improve your understanding about “The M word.”  Listen on Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcXBM6GS-Pfk9CB6ctmvLLg Leave Birds and Bees an iTunes review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/birds-and-bees-podcast/id1201131540?mt=2 Leave a Stitcher Review https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/braxton-dutson/birds-and-bees-podcast Birds and Bees Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/birdsandbeespodcast  Listen from our webpage Birdsandbeespodcast.com

Host Jeff Lundgren interviews "Earthly Parents" who wrote a book for his adult children, “And It Was Very Good: A Ladder-day Saints Guide to Lovemaking.” He writes the book in regards to comprehensive sexuality from a values perspective that fits within an LDS framing. The guest goes by “Earthly Parents” to protect the privacy of his family and wife. As a parent, he writes to his children as what he wants his adult children to know about sexuality, especially going into marriage. He talks about his background in Mormonism and then goes into the book including chapter 1 as “Our family’s Sexual Articles of Faith”. He also shares experiences from readers after having read the book. For a free copy, please email earthlyparents@gmail.com. You are welcome to share the PDF as well. The book is also in audio form at Audible.com.

Kimberly Anderson joins Jennifer White in this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Kimberly shares her journey of becoming an advocate and therapist for the LGBTQIA community which includes her coming out as a trans woman as an adult. She shares her thoughts on the relationship of the LGBTQIA community and Mormonism and advice to bishops and leaders on how to address individuals who come out as transgender. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Melody Anderson joins Jeff Lundgren on this episode of Mormon Mental Health to discuss how trauma presents in men based on their core values and beliefs. Having recently presented at a domestic violence conference, she talks to Jeff about how trauma presents itself, why it does and what men who deal with trauma can do to start the healing process. She includes resources. To connect with Melody directly, you can email her directly at melodyjoyd@gmai.com. To help keep Mormon Mental Health alive past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Jenny Black joins host Jeff Lundgren on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Jenny grew up a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a rule-following member. While researching the church for a family member that left the church, she experienced a faith crisis. Through the process she gave herself permission to change her priorities which was the hardest thing for her. This is her story of her faith transition and how she saw the divine hand of God throughout the process.  She shares some tips on things someone can do who finds themselves going through a similar faith transition experience. You can find out more about Jenny at theeverythinghousewife.com. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha is excited to have colleagues begin hosting episodes of Mormon Mental Health. This is to allow for more diverse voices and to bring you, the listener, more content. One host will be Jeff Lundgren. Jeff is currently getting his licensing but is already participating in the field. He is a member of the Mormon Mental Health Association. To find out more and see what Jeff is up to, please visit: http://www.jefflundgren.com/category/advocacy/ To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha is excited to have colleagues begin hosting episodes of Mormon Mental Health. This is to allow for more diverse voices and to bring you, the listener, more content. One host will be Jennifer White. Jennifer White is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and has been employed professionally in the mental health field since 2005. She is proficient in helping adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Jennifer works with clients in a variety of environments, such as in the office, in-home, or online. She is well known for creating a safe environment where clients share without the fear of being judged. Jennifer has a gift to help clients achieve their highest potential. Jennifer enjoys being committed to the therapeutic process and is passionate about supporting her clients to heal, grow, and learn. She has a great love for people and respects different perspectives and cultural experiences. Jennifer received a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science at Utah Valley University and a Masters Degree in Social Work at Brigham Young University. You can find out more about Jennifer by going to: https://www.symmetrysols.com/jennifer-white To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

From The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis In this episode of The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis licensed marriage and sex therapist and active Mormon Natasha Helfer Parker shares with us a more effective approach to masturbation and pornography for both teens and adults.

Jennifer Limones joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health to discuss the recent training the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints released for abuse training and protection of youth and minors. Jennifer, having taken the training, shares her insights with Natasha about the training and, although it’s a step in the right direction, she validates some of the fears of it not being run by a third party, that there is no accountability as to what was involved in the training through trauma-informed lens, and of course, nothing is being done about one-on-one worthiness interviews. To find out more about a program Jennifer feels is a more healthy approach, you can check out “Darkness to Light” by Stewards of Children by going here: https://www.d2l.org/education/stewards-of-children/ You can find out more about Sam Young’s movement, “Protect LDS Children” by going here: https://protectldschildren.org To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Shandra Petersen Harris joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health as they discuss mixed faith families and the impact of President Nelson’s recent general conference address.   Shandra is majoring in clinical mental health as a graduate student, stationed in San Antonio, Texas.   References from this episode:  https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mormontherapist/2019/04/president-nelson-im-having-a-trust-crisis.html https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mormontherapist/2019/06/waves-a-response-to-painful-rhetoric.html To order Natasha’s book, “One Family, Two Views”, you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/One-Family-Two-Views-Mixed-Faith/dp/1724860100/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=one+family%2C+two+views&qid=1563153488&s=gateway&sr=8-1 To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha is joined on this episode by Jenny Elledge and Jana Spangler. They talk about aspects or framings of Mormon theology that can be helpful to mental health instead of detrimental. Some of the topics they include are: agency, love as the primary commandment, faith, ongoing revelation and many more.   Jenny Elledge is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She works with clients with mixed faith marriages & families. You can find out more about her by going here: https://www.symmetrysols.com/jennyelledge   Jana specializes in mentoring those who are going through faith transitions or wanting to work on spiritual journeys. You can find out more about Jana Spangler by going here: https://www.symmetrysols.com/jana-spangler To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.