Podcasts about mormon mental health

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.

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.

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.

Disclaimer: This was recorded by Jeff Lundgren for The Mormon Mental Health Podcast. 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. Andrea welcomes you to join her Facebook groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1790658221146223/?ref=share https://www.facebook.com/groups/2140468222646608/?ref=share Jeffrey Lungren, CMHC is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor specializing in men's issues, relationships and couples, anxiety, depression, faith transitions, interfaith relationships, anger, and spirituality. Jeff works with people of all ages, including families and older children and teens.

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.

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.

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." 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 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." 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." 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 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

Thank you for listening to Mormon Sex Info. This episode is an archived episode and is only now becoming publicly available. Mormon Sex Info relies on contributions. To contribute, please visit: mormonsex.info 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. Resources Mentioned During this Podcast: 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

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.

In this 2012 interview, Dr. Finlayson-Fife is interviewed by Natasha Helfer of the Mormon Mental Health podcast to discuss her dissertation research on LDS women and sexuality.

In this 2012 interview, Dr. Finlayson-Fife is interviewed by Natasha Helfer of the Mormon Mental Health podcast to discuss her dissertation research on LDS women and sexuality.

Thank you for listening to Mormon Sex Info. This episode is an archived episode and is only now becoming publicly available. Mormon Sex Info relies on contributions. To contribute, please visit: mormonsex.info Shannon Hickman of Core Healing Counseling and Kristin Hodson join Natasha on this month’s Sex in the Mormon News. On this episode, they discuss several articles which include their criticism about an article coming out of BYU Idaho that talks about why comprehensive sex ed is damaging, discussion around the Mormon Mental Health statement that recently was released about worthiness interviews and then the policy that is harmful to homosexual members in the church. Also, Kristen tells her experience dealing with state legislature trying to teach consent in classrooms. Kristin Hodson is Founder and Executive Director of The Healing Group in and co-author of the newly published book Real Intimacy: A Couples Guide for Genuine, Healthy Sexuality. She practices as a psychotherapist with a passion helping women find their authentic self by working through areas where they feel stuck. Shannon Hickman is a LCSW, CST and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 12  years of experience in a variety of disciplines. Shannon derives great joy and satisfaction from helping individuals and couples discover the bliss that goes along with sex, intimacy, connection, relationships and much more at Core Healing Counseling in Murray, UT. Resources mentioned during podcast:   http://www.purecouples.org/blog/2018/8/5/husbands-your-wife-isnt-a-porn-star Home 01 Is Sugar the New Nicotine? 5 Ways to Move Forward They also discussed Caitlyn Ryan’s Family Acceptance Project which you can find here: https://familyproject.sfsu.edu/people/staff/caitlin-ryan

Claudine Gallacher runs Post Mormon Mental Health. In this episode we talk about the similarities between those leaving Mormonism and those leaving more conventional forms of Christianity. We discuss what are common mental health issues that can arise for people and how we can best deal with them. You can follow Claudine via her website - https://www.postmormonmentalhealth.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/postmormonmentalhealth Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/postmormonmentalhealth Support my work and join our private online community: ╰►Via my site: https://www.phildrysdale.com/partner ╰►Via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/phildrysdale ╰►Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/phildrysdale ╰►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phildrysdale ╰►Find others deconstructing locally: https://www.thedeconstructionnetwork.com ╰►More about me: https://www.phildrysdale.com

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.

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.

Thank you for listening to Mormon Sex Info. This episode is an archived episode and is only now becoming publicly available. Mormon Sex Info relies on contributions. To contribute, please visit: mormonsex.info Gina Colvin of A Thoughtful Faith, continues her interview with sex and marriage therapists Natasha Helfer-Parker and Julie de Azevedo-Hanks about Wendy Watson Nelson’s speech at the January 2017 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults. Nelson’s address garnered some criticism for the unhealthy, purity-centered and confusing expectations that she constructed around sex.  She argued that “Four Truths” should govern and inform marital sex. Helfer-Parker and de Azevedo-Hanks provide a frank critique of this advice. This is a co-production with Mormon Mental Health and Mormon Sex Info.

Thank you for listening to Mormon Sex Info. This episode is an archived episode and is only now becoming publicly available. Mormon Sex Info relies on contributions. To contribute, please visit: mormonsex.info Gina Colvin of A Thoughtful Faith, interviews sex and marriage therapists Natasha Helfer-Parker and Julie de Azevedo-Hanks about Wendy Watson Nelson’s speech at the January 2017 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults. Nelson’s address garnered some criticism for the unhealthy, purity-centered and confusing expectations that she constructed around sex.  She argued that “Four Truths” should govern and inform marital sex. Helfer-Parker and de Azevedo-Hanks provide a frank critique of this advice. This is a co-production with Mormon Mental Health and Mormon Sex Info. Nelson’s address can be found below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=uvou8o4DuEg

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.

Thank you for listening to Mormon Sex Info. This episode is an archived episode and is only now becoming publicly available. Mormon Sex Info relies on contributions. To contribute, please visit: mormonsex.info   Due to the support LDS LGBTQ+ members currently need, this interview discussing the harms of reparative/conversion therapies will be co-released with Mormon Mental Health and is available at no charge. Natasha Helfer Parker interviews James Guay, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who grew up as a pastor’s son in an evangelical community and went through reparative therapy as a young man to try to change his sexual orientation. They discuss the harms that LGBTQ+ people face in homophobic environments, which often includes religious and family systems that claim they are loving and accepting, and conversion therapies. They also touch on resources and strategies that families, ecclesiastical leaders and individuals themselves can tap in to in order to prioritize mental health and general wellbeing. James Guay is an LGBTQ Affirmative Psychotherapist in West Hollywood, working primarily with LGBTQ youth, adults and couples since 1996.  Besides co-leading annual workshops for gay men at Esalen in Big Sur, California, he also films frequent psycho-educational videos on topics such as coming out, communication skills, and creating boundaries. The James and Heather Show James testified in the California State Capital successfully advocating for them to ban the psychologically abusive practice of Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) on LGBTQ youth by licensed therapists.  His passion is to prevent other LGBTQ people from having to endure the harms of religious homophobia and conversion “therapy” that he had to survive. James has served on the Board of Directors for Gaylesta (The LGBTQ Psychotherapist Association), AAMFT-CA (The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, California Division) and is currently on the Board of Directors for CAMFT (The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists). Resources mentioned during the podcast: Family Acceptance Project LDS Booklet Families are Forever Documentary Mama Dragons Mormon Spectrum: LGBTQ Resources Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth Mormon Mental Health Association Position Statements   Mormon Stories: One Gay Married Mormon Man’s Attempt at Reparative (Conversion) Therapy   National Center for Lesbian Rights   Born Perfect Campaign   My Hellish Youth in Gay Conversion Therapy and How I Got Out Exodus International Shuts Down Evergreen International – Northstar

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.

Tweet This week's episode of MindShift podcast features a conversation with ex-Mormon Claudine Gallacher. Not only has she deconstructed her own Mormon faith and left the religion far behind, she currently helps those who have left the religion, as the founder of the Post-Mormon Mental Health organization. In this helpful chat, we'll move beyond simply hearing Claudine's own backstory within the cult and her subsequent departure, we get into issues of her current situation–including coping with adult children who are still very much involved in the religion. Beyond that, we get into a “mini-counseling session” as we discuss what triggering is all about. Help support MindShift Podcast on Patreon! http://patreon.com/mindshiftpodcast Contact Information for Claudine Gallacher Post-Mormon Mental Health Website Social Media Contacts Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Instagram @mindshiftpodcast MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

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.

Jimmy Bridges presented the following at the MO/KAN AAMFT Conference held in Kansas City, March 22, 2019. It is titled: Therapeutic Considerations for Queer Clients with Conservative Religious Upbringings What does it take to be queer and Christian? Clinicians working with queer clients consider the contextual factors of societal discrimination often involved in presenting problems. When queer clients come from conservative or fundamentalist religious upbringings, presenting issues and mental health can often be associated with deeply held religious beliefs. Clinicians grow in clinical competence with queer-religious clients by considering their own personally held narratives about religion, gender and sexual minority identities, and the intersection of both. This presentation will present findings from an original research project with a group religiously conservative and queer-identified adults. Jimmy Bridges, MS, LMFT is a doctoral student in the couple and family therapy program at Kansas State University. His research looks at the experiences of sexual minorities from conservative religious settings, particularly within Mormon communities, and feminist consciousness- raising processes for majority identity holding individuals, clinicians, and researchers.. Jimmy maintains a clinical practice at Symmetry Solutions LLC out of Wichita, KS. Please consider donating to Mormon Mental Health by going to: mormonmentalhealth.org.

Jimmy Bridges joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Recently Jimmy presented at a conference. His presentation was titled, “Queer Clients with Conservative Religious Upbringings: Therapeutic Considerations.” Natasha and Jimmy discuss his presentation and dig a bit deeper into his research and conclusions. Jimmy Bridges, MS, LMFT is a doctoral student in the couple and family therapy program at Kansas State University. His research looks at the experiences of sexual minorities from conservative religious settings, particularly within Mormon communities, and feminist consciousness- raising processes for majority identity holding individuals, clinicians, and researchers. Jimmy maintains a clinical practice at Symmetry Solutions LLC out of Wichita, KS. You can find out more about Jimmy by going here: https://www.symmetrysols.com/jimmybridges Natasha will be present at some events coming up including: Thrive 2019: Find Healing & Joy Beyond Mormonism June 7th-9th http://thrivebeyondmormonism.com Transitioning Mormons Annual Cruise July 17th-24th https://www.ccruiseplanner4fun.com/rw/view/83268 Sunstone Symposium July 31st-Aug 3rd https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/2019-salt-lake-summer-symposium/ 2019 Oklahoma City, OK Mormon Faith Faith Crisis Workshop September 13th – September 14th https://donorbox.org/2019-oklahoma-city-faith-crisis-workshop To help keep Mormon Mental Health alive past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

In episode 168, Natasha was joined by Kevin Kloosterman, a trained RO-DBT Therapist. RO-DBT is a more recent therapy model and Kevin shared his thoughts on the model. You can find the episode by going here:  https://www.mormonmentalhealth.org/168-kevin-kloosterman-and-ro-dbt-therapy/ In this episode, Kevin is back along with Thomas Lynch, the founder of RO-DBT. They are joined by Erica Smith Lynch, who happens to be Thomas’ wife. The group discuss the beginnings of the treatment, how Kevin became involved, and what it is which includes that it is a trans-diagnostic treatment approach with roots in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). Thomas Lynch is a professor Emeritus at the school of Psychology at the University of South Hampton. He was the director of the Duke Cognitive Research Program at Duke University until 2007. Currently he is the director of Emotion and Personality Biobehavioral laboratory at the University of South Hampton. He’s been the recipient of large research grants from different sources including the National Institute of Health. He is also the recipient of the John M. Road’s Psychotherapy Research Endowment and a Beck Institute Scholar. RO-DBT and Thomas Lynch as the founder are recognized internationally. You can find out more about Thomas, including his publications by going here: http://www.radicallyopen.net/about-the-treatment-developer/ Erica Smith Lynch is the Chief Executive of “Radically Open” and the director of treatment development and training for RO-DBT. She’s been a part of the development of this model since 2008 and has been working alongside Thomas in training therapists. Kevin Kloosterman has been a former bishop and served on the board of the Mormon Mental Health Associations (mormonmentalhealthassoc.org). To find out more about Kevin, you can go to his website: https://relationquest.com/about-us They reference DBT and its founder, Marsha Linehan. You can find out more about her by going here: https://behavioraltech.org/about-us/founded-by-marsha/ To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha was recently a guest on Braxton Dutson’s “Birds and Bees Podcast.” Braxton is a LCSW and Certified Sex Therapist in Salt Lake City, Utah. He works at The Healing Group and can be found here: https://www.thehealinggroup.com/therapists/2018/4/20/braxton-dutson-lcsw-cst   About the episode:  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 Read more at https://birdsandbeespodcast.libsyn.com/#8HRf8D8XJYV090ou.99   Check out the “Birds and the Bees Podcast” Page here: https://birdsandbeespodcast.libsyn.com   Please consider donating to Mormon Mental Health by going to mormonmentalhealth.org.

Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Alyson & George Deussen, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who lost a son, who identified as gay, to suicide almost three years ago after the exclusion policy had been announced. They discuss, among other things, their response to the policy reversal announced recently.   Alyson and George have found a great community in affirmations. To find out more, please visit: affirmations.org   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Nathan Kitchen, President of Affirmations, and Laurie Lee Hall, SVP, join Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. They join and discuss the impact of the reversal of the “exclusion policy”. They focus on the approach that Affirmations uses: Name what is hurting you and what is wounding you Feel safe to name your beliefs or non beliefs Do so in a supportive and civil way Does your community allow for you to be happy right now For more on Affirmations, please go here: https://affirmation.org Kevin is a father of 5, dentist in Arizona, engaged to his fiancé. Laurie Lee is a previous bishop and stake president which ended when the brethren found out she was transgender. She is an architect with a private practice in Salt lake City and Tennessee. Several things were referenced in the podcast including: John Bonner’s essay on the policy and what the church could have said: https://www.facebook.com/john.bonner1/posts/10158390319904942?hc_location=ufi Affirmations Reaction to the policy: https://affirmation.org/reversal-of-the-november-2015-policy-on-gay-families/?fbclid=IwAR35l859YDWDpOjozGj60KrSbocX6Kmyt7dNXJ9gwuEukG93KgfDbrLTc-s Stories and Reactions of the November 2015 Policy Reversal https://affirmation.org/tag/nov-15-policy-gay-families-reversal/?fbclid=IwAR3gRKw3tBTHSfknnUHGA71rrGDSViUhu5avSB6vwnRMogEuB3pJJg7Ccg4 Local Chapters of Affirmations: https://affirmation.org/chapters/?fbclid=IwAR3CAV7YzUgTQhSlMSAYmbD4RNs3dNokAeAE8Xj8T6hqHGU0QTS05JD9BY4 Upcoming Affirmation Conferences and Events: https://affirmation.org/upcoming-conferences-and-featured-events/?fbclid=IwAR32LP81Zk-jEjoJ4h11jovqX1jOnjAsUnW2rieJgbDO1IsxLlFwdat-7f4 To keep the podcast alive past 2019, please donate at https://www.mormonmentalhealth.org

In this episode of Mormon Mental Health, Natasha is joined by Fabian Markez, J. Fernando González Díaz, Luis David Trujillo & Joaquín R. Busseporp who are all members of the South American Affirmacion organization. The interview is in Spanish as Natasha feels it’s important to hear voices in Mormonism other than the classic USA voice. To keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please become a subscriber at mormonmentalhealth.org.

In this episode of Mormon Mental Health, Natasha is joined by Sara Hughes-Zabawa, Jennifer White and Lisa Butterworth as they discuss the recent reversal of the 2015 exclusion policy surrounding children with LGBTQ+ parents not being baptized and participating in other aspects of the church.  The 4 approach the policy from a clinical perspective and how LGBTQ+ folks were affected in 2015 and now. They also address: 1)    Holding space for those serving the community, 2)    The complex feelings happening because of the reversal, and 3)    Strategies to approaching general conference in healthy ways.  Sara recommends Greg Prince’s new book, Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Rights-Mormon-Church-Consequences/dp/1607816636/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=greg+prince&qid=1555947771&s=gateway&sr=8-1 You can see him speak in his work here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcnVagLY-lM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1Q6or1NvFrRVDMPMUjf2Nhm8viQP4H7ANaIsFY9tC6coVI31aXPSqYfcI&app=desktop You can find out more about the Family. Project by going here: https://familyproject.sfsu.edu/?fbclid=IwAR2PVWFUF3tCe703UlIfmou4zi6plVxzfZP1QsRfUv0w6VZw77b8zCqsVZk Sara Hughes-Zabawa, LSCW, lives in Montana specializing in trauma and specific women’s issues. She is a wellness coach and therapist with Symmetry Solutions. https://www.symmetrysols.com/sara-hughes-zabawa Jennifer White, LCSW, specializes in helping people with depression, anxiety, sexuality concerns, trauma, and faith transitions/journeys.  She offers coaching/consultation and therapy services to individuals, couples and families. https://www.symmetrysols.com/jennifer-white Lisa Butterworth, LPC, NCC, is a wellness coach and therapist with Symmetry Solutions as well as the founder of the Feminist Mormon Housewives. https://www.symmetrysols.com/lisa-butterworth http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org

BYU Faculty Members and Therapists at BYU, Marty Erickson and Michael Buxton, join Natasha on this episode of Mormon Sex Info. They discuss the group therapy they do at BYU for students surrounding sexual concerns. The program follows the “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” (ACT). CAPS (the department of counseling at BYU) is available for students and they stress confidentiality.   In this episode they talk about the evolution of the therapy, what a group sessions looks like and how they’ve seen the results.   Marty is a part time faculty member at BYU and is the president of the Mormon Mental Health Association. He is a licensed marriage family therapist with a masters and PhD. He has worked at BYU for over 8 years and works at Alliance Behavior Psychology in Orem.   Links to Marty online: https://caps.byu.edu/node/marty-erickson https://alliancebehavioralpsychology.com/marty-erickson-phd/   Michael is a full time faculty member at BYU. He went to BYU for undergrad and went to the University of Georgia or a masters and PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy.   Link to Michael Buxton online: https://caps.byu.edu/node/mike-buxton   Please consider becoming a monthly subscriber to help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019.

Dr. Jana Reiss and Dr. Benjamin Knoll recently released a book about a survey they performed and the results, specially about Millennials. The book started 2011 when Dr. Reiss was interested in childhood and adolescents within Mormonism. But it then changed when Jana became interested in how those children are as adults, how the religion informed them and how those teachings in childhood might affect adult retention and religiosity. She then created a survey which was to see if there was intergenerational change and difference within the Mormon community itself. The book is a result of the survey. Natasha approaches the conversation from a mental health standpoint and, specifically, a faith transition standpoint (faith transition does not necessarily mean leaving the church).    Dr. Jana Reiss has a Doctorate in American Religion and is a Columnist for Religion News Service.   Dr. Benjamin Knoll is a Political Science Professor at Center College in Kentucky. He specializes in politics and religion and specifically how we can understand religious and political behavior using public opinion surveys.  You can find out more about them and the book by going to: thenextmormons.org Please consider becoming a monthly subscriber to help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019.

Ricky and Larry Siegel join Natasha to discuss cannabis and stereotypical myths surrounding its use. Recently a journalist came out with an article (soon to come out with a book) about the “truth” about marijuana. Ricky and Larry go through its arguments, debunking them with science and data. In fact, their data suggests that there are far more positives that come from the plant than negatives. The original article can be found here:  https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/marijuana-mental-illness-violence/ You can find out more about the Siegels at modernsextherapyinstitutes.com. Please visit https://www.natashaparker.org/ for upcoming events. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Zac Erickson, Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. He shares his experience with ADHD and how he now helps those who have been diagnosed with this condition. He goes into detail about the 3 subtypes, how diagnoses are made, how to help those struggling, including parenting tips and what kind of treatments are available. Zac practices individual and couple therapy and specializes in ADHD. He is a member of the Mormon Mental Health Association. Please visit https://www.natashaparker.org/ for upcoming events. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Recently Elder and Sister Redlunds did a talk in Hawaii for young adults regarding faith, doubt and doubters. Mike Hancey joins Natasha to discuss their reactions to the talk and how damaging it can be to those going through a faith crisis or transition. Mike recently resigned from the church. He shares his experience going through his own personal crisis and why this talk was the catalyst to resign. He also shares his thoughts on what he would tell the Redlunds if he could. The original talk can be found here: https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/elder-and-sister-renlund-discuss-faith-doubt-worldwide-broadcast Natasha and Mike discuss the gospel essays the church has recently started to come out with. You can find the links here: https://www.lds.org/topics/essays?lang=eng Please visit https://www.natashaparker.org/ for upcoming events. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Kevin Kloosterman, MS, LMFT, joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Kevin shares his experience with Radically Open-Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT).   RO-DBT is an evidence-based treatment developed by Dr. Tom Lynch, PhD and is informed by over 20 years of clinical and experimental research.  RO-DBT has proven to be successful in helping individuals with a wide range of challenges that have emotional over-control at their core, including persistent depression, treatment-resistant anxiety, eating disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. RO-DBT focuses on growth within three core components: openness, flexibility, and social connectedness.  The goal of RO-DBT is to help individuals develop new ways of thinking and behaving that promote openness to social and environmental feedback, feelings of social safety, and ultimately the ability to form genuine connections with others.  This is done through a series of skills training classes and individual therapy sessions that focus on self-enquiry, empathy, and warm acceptance of emotions, thoughts and behavior. Kevin has been a former bishop and served on the board of the Mormon Mental Health Associations (mormonmentalhealthassoc.org). To find out more about Kevin, you can go to his website: https://relationquest.com/about-us   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.

In this episode of Mormon Mental Health, Natasha discusses the changes with the temple wording and why the changes might have mental health implications for the members of the church. She is joined by:   Sarah Hughes-Zabawa, LSCW, living in Montana specializing in trauma and specific women’s issues and a wellness coach with Symmetry Solutions. https://www.symmetrysols.com/sara-hughes-zabawa   Jimmy Bridges, PhD student at Kansas State University studying queer Mormon populations while clinical work mainly focuses on couples working and engaging men in the therapy process. He is also a clinician for Symmetry Solutions. https://www.symmetrysols.com/jimmybridges   Lisa Butterworth, LPC, NCC, is a wellness coach with Symmetry Solutions and a therapist as well as the founder of the Feminist Mormon Housewives. https://www.symmetrysols.com/lisa-butterworth http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org   Jimmy mentions Michael Kimmel’s approach that making men aware of gender leads to equality. http://lcw.lehman.cuny.edu/academics/inter/women-studies/documents/why-men.pdf   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

This week we discuss the topic of vulnerability and how when we were Mormon we were encouraged to turn off uncomfortable or "bad" feelings. Dealing with mental health is important! Please send us your stories about Mormon mental health (or any post-mormon stories for that matter) to notsomollymormonpodcast@gmail.com!

Tresa Edmunds joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Tresa is a writer, advocate and entrepreneur. In this episode she discusses her experience caring for her child who has autism spectrum disorder and what this diagnosis is about from one mom’s perspective and how to deal with it (spoiler alert: self-care.) She discusses how her job is not to be the voice of her son but to share his voice with the world.  Tresa can be found online, going by the name of “Reese Dixon,” on Mormon Feminist Housewives: http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/fmh-bloggers/reese-dixon/ As well as her blog: http://www.reesedixon.com She has recently started a self-care subscription service for self-care gear which can be found at: haventreebox.com Tresa recommends the “Ring Theory” when it comes to comfort and relationships: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/promoting-hope-preventing-suicide/201705/ring-theory-helps-us-bring-comfort-in To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Katherine Wela Bogen joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. She is a returning guest as she recently joined Natasha to discuss false reporting when it comes to sexual assaults. In this episode, Katherine discusses her relationship with Judaism and especially how her advocacy for it has been affected in the Trump Era. She discusses the 8 stages of Genocide: http://www.genocidewatch.org/images/8StagesBriefingpaper.pdf Katherine is a clinical research program coordinator at Rhode Island Hospital in the department of Psychiatry, working in violence protection research for over 3 years. A Facebook post she made in response to false reporting during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings when Christine Blasey Ford came out went viral in which she gave data on false reporting. You can find the post here: https://www.facebook.com/katherine.bogen/posts/2141527535858774   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Katherine Wela Bogen joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health to discuss the data behind false reporting. She made a facebook post during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings when Christine Blasey Ford spoke out about her experience with Kavanaugh in high school. The post went viral and you can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/katherine.bogen/posts/2141527535858774 Katherine is a clinical research program coordinator at Rhode Island Hospital in the department of Psychiatry, working in violence protection research for over 3 years. She started out as a pediatric violence resistant research assistant at the University of Pittsburg Medical School, working with vulnerable populations. Bogen is currently collaborating on a chapter with her boss,Dr. Lindsay Orchowsky, and with Alan Berkowitz who was one of the founding fathers of “Social Norms Theory.” They are collaborating on a chapter that will be in “The Handbook for Interpersonal Violence” to be published in 2020. The chapter is on false reporting and how common (or uncommon) false reporting is, what some of the barriers to reporting are to begin with, how false reporting is qualified, etc. You can find Berkowitz “An Overview of the Social Norms Approach” paper here: http://www.alanberkowitz.com/articles/social%20norms%20approach-short.pdf   To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

In this part 1 of a conversation with John Dehlin, Natasha and John discuss his research and findings when it comes to LGBBTQIA and Mix Orientation Relationships. John shares how he came into this field, how he got his data and what findings his data represents.  John Dehlin is a researcher, podcster and social activist. He has a Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Utah State University. You can find out more about his private coaching practice here: http://www.johndehlin.com/privatepractice/ John is also the founder of Mormon Stories Podcast: https://www.mormonstories.org To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Lisa Butterworth joins Natasha to discuss her personal journey with depression. Having never had any major issues, recently Lisa finds herself battling with it. She discusses how she deals with it on a personal level but also as a mental health professional. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Lisa has a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a provider at Symmetry Solutions. You can find out more about her here: https://www.symmetrysols.com/lisa-butterworth She is also the founder of the popular Feminist Mormon Housewives website which you can find here: http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org. Natasha Helfer Parker runs an online practice, Symmetry Solutions and writes at The Mormon Therapist for Patheos: Hosting the Conversation of Faith. She also hosts the popular podcasts, Mormon Mental Health & Mormon Sex Info and creates the sex educational resource, Sex Talk with Natasha.

Michelle Washburn-Busk and Jimmy Bridges join Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. They are both current PhD candidate students at Kansas State, working towards the Marriage and Family Therapy program. The episode starts with Natasha sharing her background with differentiation, her education on it and how her view of it has evolved. Michelle and Jimmy talk about building off of Ryan and Deci’s “Self-Determination Theory”. They also discuss differentiation in sexuality among other things.  Michelle can be reached at: mbusk@andrewsin.net or mbusk@ksu.edu Or at Andrews Associates in Manhattan, KS Jimmy can be reached at jamesgb@ksu.edu. He is also a provider at Symmetry Solutions. You can find out more about him here: https://www.symmetrysols.com/jimmybridges Some references from the episode: “Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness” by Richard Ryan and Edward Deci The Olson Circumplex Model “Differentiation of Self: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives” by Peter Titelman “Passionate Marriage” by David Schnarch And, Michelle’s Spirit Animals: Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com Sue Monk Kidd: https://suemonkkidd.com To help Mormon Mental Health be going past 2018, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.

Mary Stanley joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Mary is an Art Therapist. She discusses her background and looks at how art can be applied to different treatment issues. Mary has a BFA in Fine Arts & Psychology from Albion College and a Masters of Professional Studies in Art Therapy & Creativity development from the Pratt Institute. She is a Board Certified Art Therapist among other things. You can find out more about Mary by going here: https://www.thehealinggroup.com/management-team/2018/4/20/mary-stanley-cmhch-atr-bc-atcs Or email her directly at mary@thehealinggroup.com To help keep this podcast going past 2018, please become a monthly subscriber at mormonmentalhealth.com.

Mormon Mental Health Association Colleague, Kelly Furr, joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health.Kelly is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in Arizona and is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in Florida. She helped with the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in February 14, 2018, as members of the community were directly affected. Kelly shares her experience while also sharing insights into how to help victims affected by trauma. For more information about Kelly, you can visit her website: kellyfurr.com You can also email her at kellyfurrtherapy@gmail.com  Her areas of expertise include:  Couple and Parent-Child Relationships, Spirituality and Religious Issues, Crisis Counseling After a Traumatic Event, Grief and Loss, Perfectionism, Sports and Performance Psychology, Women's Issues, Infertility, LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy, Multiculturalism and Diversity, Disabilities Services: Therapy with Families, Couples and Individuals, Psycho-Educational Presentations, Online Coaching.

Summer Meyers joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Summer is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. As an Art Therapist she focuses on creativity as healing. Summer shares her story with Natasha about her experience with Mormonism and why she was led to be an Art Therapist as well as her experience as an Art Therapist with a particular project with clients. To view the drawings, please go here: goo.gl/g4PWs2  Summer can be reached at summer@pacificmft.com or at 424-254-9188. She has a web presence at pacificmft.com/summer-myers and a soon to be completed website at summermyers.com. Her full research project can be found at https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/321/  Please consider donating to Mormon Mental Health to keep the podcast going past 2018. To donate, please visit mormonmentalhealth.org.

Jared and Juli Egley traveled to Wichita, KS, to share their story in detail with Natasha. Jared experienced sexual abuse as a child by his uncle who is currently serving as a bishop.   Please note: explicit details are shared about the abuse   As of the posting of this podcast, the area president and Jared’s Uncle’s Stake President are refusing to take any action.   Natasha refers to this story in a previous episode, without using Jared and Juli’s names. To listen to episode 137, please go here:    https://www.mormonmentalhealth.org/137-sex-in-the-mormon-news-april-2018/   Please consider donating to Mormon Mental Health to keep the podcast going past 2018. To donate, please visit mormonmentalhealth.org.

Due to the news of Sam Young's excommunication, we are rereleasing episode 55 from February 2015. Sam Young organized "Protect LDS Children". You can find out more by going here: http://protectldschildren.org ..... This week the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has once again been in the news in regards to the excommunication of one of their own: this time it’s John Dehlin of Mormon Stories – only months after the excommunication of Kate Kelly of Ordain Women.  There have been lesser, yet still painful ramifications (losing callings, not being able to attain temple recommends, disfellowshipment, etc.) for members of the church on a global level as we struggle with both historical, doctrinal and social issues we may not all agree on.  This is having a significant impact in many stake, ward and family systems – with frustration, anger and relationship struggles becoming unfortunate, yet common happenings. On the evening of the news that John Dehlin was excommunicated, Natasha Helfer Parker, Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, Joanna Brooks, Dan Wotherspoon, and Brian Dillman got together via Skype audio chat to discuss various ways they personally cope with the kinds of distress such things cause, and perspectives that help heal them in times of difficulty. Their sharing is this podcast episode, which is being co-released by Mormon Matters, Rational Faiths podcast, and Mormon Mental Health podcasts. How might we experience and understand our anger in healthy ways? How do we not let our emotions get the better of us and block out wider perspectives that likely would serve us better for the long haul? Can historical and sociological frameworks help us see these recent events in greater context, help us understand ways to move forward rather than repeat negative cycles? Are there larger spiritual or existential framings that can help us make peace with the tensions life and the many things we care about seem to constantly call upon us to bear? In a section led by Joanna Brooks, she refers to and describes this chart: Violence Cycle A poem for my brothers and sisters Please listen and then share your thoughts in the comments section below! Many thanks to The Lower Lights for the beautiful bumper music and to Brian Dillman for audio production of this podcast.

Shannon Hickman of Core Healing Counseling and Kristin Hodson of the Healing Group join Natasha on this month’s Sex in the Mormon News. On this episode, they discuss several articles which include their criticism about an article coming out of BYU Idaho that talks about why comprehensive sex ed is damaging, discussion around the Mormon Mental Health statement that recently was released about worthiness interviews and then the policy that is harmful to homosexual members in the church.  Also, Kristin tells her experience dealing with state legislature trying to teach consent in classrooms. Links to articles: http://www.purecouples.org/blog/2018/8/5/husbands-your-wife-isnt-a-porn-star http://sexualwholeness.com https://ldsmag.com/why-comprehensive-sexuality-education-does-more-harm-than-good/ They also discussed Caitlyn Ryan’s Family Acceptance Project which you can find here: https://familyproject.sfsu.edu/people/staff/caitlin-ryan Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter: www.mormonmentalhealth.org

TRIGGER WARNING Rape and other abuse are discussed in this episode. In March of 2018, MormonLeaks released an audio recording and transcript of McKenna Denson interviewing Joseph Bishop, MTC President during her time she was in the MTC in 1984. Bishop groomed and raped her and now Denson is bringing suit against him and the LDS Church. McKenna joins Natasha to discuss the mental health aspects of her life as a young sexually abused child by her step father to her encounters with Bishop, and after. Natasha also dives into the cyclical responses of perpetrators and why this is problematic and shares advise on what kind of help there is and things to look out for. McKenna’s interview with Mosaic Podcast: https://www.mosaicpodcast.com/episodes/mormon-me-too-part-1-the-first-law-of-heaven To help McKenna with costs of Travel & Expenses as she continues to attend legal proceedings, please go to: https://www.gofundme.com/mtc-victims-legal-amp-travel-fund As always, in order to keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2018, we ask that you become a donor by going to mormonmentalhealth.org.

  In this episode of Mormon Mental Health, Natasha is joined by 3 women of faith: Gina Colvin, Katie Langston and Fatimah Salleh. As leaders of congregations, they discuss the mental health concerns in the construct of religion, and in particular, Mormonism. They also discuss what other communities can teach Mormonism and what Mormonism can teach these other communities. Gina, Katie and Fatimah will be presenting at the Sunstone Symposium on July 22, 2018. Three Witnesses July 22, 2018 at 7pm Community of Christ Chapel 2747 E Craig Dr, Salt Lake City Free Event An interfaith gathering, rooted in friendship and faith, where three women of faith share their own Christian witness of the unfolding of Jesus from the margins. For Katie’s speech a the Protect LDS Children March in Salt Lake City, UT in March of 2018, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsrJXOzI2f4 Gina Colvin is the host of “A Thoughtful Faith” which you can find here where Fatimah joins on several episodes: https://www.athoughtfulfaith.org Natasha will be present at the Sunstone Symposium, presenting several times. For more information, please visit: https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/2018-salt-lake-symposium-schedule/ As always, in order to keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2018, we ask that you become a donor by going to mormonmentalhealth.org. https://www.mormonstories.org/houston/ https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/2018-salt-lake-summer-symposium/ Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter: www.mormonmentalhealth.org Natasha Helfer Parker runs an online practice, Symmetry Solutions and writes at The Mormon Therapist for Patheos: Hosting the Conversation of Faith. She also hosts the popular podcasts, Mormon Mental Health & Mormon Sex Info and creates the sex educational resource, Sex Talk with Natasha.

Shannon Hickman joins Natasha on this episode of Sex in the Mormon News for June 2018. They begin the discussion with comments from an article that recently came out in the "Journal of Sex Research" called, "God, I Can't Stop Thinking About Sex! The Rebound Effect in Unsuccessful Suppression of Sexual Thoughts Among Religious Adolescents" where they discuss the research supporting the view that suppressing sexual thought only causes more damage. Natasha and Shannon then revisit the Josh and Lolly Weed blog post, "Turning a Unicorn into a Bat: The Post in Which we Announce the End of Our Marriage" and how this has affected members as well as the LGBTQIA+ community. To find out more about Shannon's practice, Core Healing Counseling, please go here: http://corehealingcounseling.com/about/ For the article discussed from the "Journal of Sex Research", please go here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2018.1461796 Natasha mentions an episode in which she interviewed BYU professor, Dr. Brian Willoughby. To listen and find out more about the episode, please go here: https://www.mormonmentalhealth.org/104-byu-study-on-pornanxiety-correlation/ To read the blog posts by Josh and Lolly Weed that Natasha and Shannon reference, you can find them here: http://joshweed.com/2012/06/club-unicorn-come-closet-ten-year-anniversary/ http://joshweed.com/2018/01/turning-unicorn-bat-post-announce-end-marriage/ As always, in order to keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2018, we ask that you become a donor by going to mormonmentalhealth.org.

In light of a statement on LDS.org declaring, “An inability to feel the spirit … is often a symptom of poor mental health,” Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT CST and John Dehlin, Ph.D. are joined by our guest Matt to speak about his experiences with Mormon faith crisis, depression, and suicidality—issues he has dealt with for 20 years. According to Matt, it makes him angry to read that his struggles were a trial, test, or blessing from God, or that he could have been healed if he had more faith, prayed, or hadn’t “sinned.” Matt believes that religious observance is not a cure for mental health illness, and in these episodes, Natasha and John discuss how Mormonism, and in particular a faith transition in the context of Mormonism, can exacerbate the symptoms of depression.   Part 1: Natasha and John discuss depression and then introduce our guest, Matt Part 2: Matt shares his faith transition and how it affected his mental health Part 3: Natasha, John, and Matt discuss the LDS Church’s statement regarding mental health and the ability to feel the “Spirit”   Natasha will be in Houston the beginning of July and will be attending the Sunstone Symposium at the end of July where she will be presenting multiple sessions as well as have a booth that she encourages all to stop by. For more information, please visit her website: natashaparker.org OR https://www.mormonstories.org/houston/ https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/2018-salt-lake-summer-symposium/ Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter: www.mormonmentalhealth.org  

In light of a statement on LDS.org declaring, “An inability to feel the spirit … is often a symptom of poor mental health,” Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT CSTand John Dehlin, Ph.D. are joined by our guest Matt to speak about his experiences with Mormon faith crisis, depression, and suicidality—issues he has dealt with for 20 years. According to Matt, it makes him angry to read that his struggles were a trial, test, or blessing from God, or that he could have been healed if he had more faith, prayed, or hadn’t “sinned.” Matt believes that religious observance is not a cure for mental health illness, and in these episodes, Natasha and John discuss how Mormonism, and in particular a faith transition in the context of Mormonism, can exacerbate the symptoms of depression. Part 1: Natasha and John discuss depression and then introduce our guest, Matt Part 2: Matt shares his faith transition and how it affected his mental health Part 3: Natasha, John, and Matt discuss the LDS Church’s statement regarding mental health and the ability to feel the “Spirit”   Natasha will be in Houston the beginning of July and will be attending the Sunstone Symposium at the end of July where she will be presenting multiple sessions as well as have a booth that she encourages all to stop by. For more information, please visit her website: natashaparker.org  OR https://www.mormonstories.org/houston/ https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/2018-salt-lake-summer-symposium/ Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter: www.mormonmentalhealth.org  

In light of a statement on LDS.org declaring, “An inability to feel the spirit … is often a symptom of poor mental health,” Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT CSTand John Dehlin, Ph.D. are joined by our guest Matt to speak about his experiences with Mormon faith crisis, depression, and suicidality—issues he has dealt with for 20 years. According to Matt, it makes him angry to read that his struggles were a trial, test, or blessing from God, or that he could have been healed if he had more faith, prayed, or hadn’t “sinned.” Matt believes that religious observance is not a cure for mental health illness, and in these episodes, Natasha and John discuss how Mormonism, and in particular a faith transition in the context of Mormonism, can exacerbate the symptoms of depression.   Part 1: Natasha and John discuss depression and then introduce our guest, Matt Part 2: Matt shares his faith transition and how it affected his mental health Part 3: Natasha, John, and Matt discuss the LDS Church’s statement regarding mental health and the ability to feel the “Spirit”   Natasha will be in Houston the beginning of July and will be attending the Sunstone Symposium at the end of July where she will be presenting multiple sessions as well as have a booth that she encourages all to stop by. For more information, please visit her website: natashaparker.org OR https://www.mormonstories.org/houston/ https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/2018-salt-lake-summer-symposium/ Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter: www.mormonmentalhealth.org  

Jennifer White, CSW, returns on this episode of Mormon Mental Health as Natasha continues her series on boundaries. In this episode, Jennifer and Natasha discuss boundaries with parents post-mission, the engagement period and then after marriage. James joins the discussion to share his experience with his in-laws in his marriage especially how he and his wife have gone through a faith transition. Natasha finishes up the episode by giving 4 tips to help with setting boundaries with parents and in-laws. References: Dr. Julie Hanks http://www.drjuliehanks.com/2017/02/01/25-things-not-to-say-to-believing-loved-ones-when-you-leave-the-church/ Natasha will be in Houston the beginning of July and will be attending the Sunstone Symposium at the end of July where she will be presenting multiple sessions as well as have a booth that she encourages all to stop by. For more information, please visit her website: natashaparker.org OR https://www.mormonstories.org/houston/ https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/2018-salt-lake-summer-symposium/ Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter: www.mormonmentalhealth.org

Linda Swayne Gifford joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. At the age of 68, Linda came out last fall as transgender. She shares her story with Natasha which includes the effect it had on her family, the church’s response and how all of this accumulated and affected her mental health.   References discussed in this episode:   The Gender Bread Person http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2012/03/the-genderbread-person-v2-0/   To read the guest blog post Linda wrote, please view it here: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mormontherapist/2018/04/lds-church-why-are-you-afraid-to-minister-to-and-include-transgender-members.html   For ecclesiastical leaders wondering how to help, please visit Symmetry Solutions and book a free hour consultation: symmetrysols.com Please consider donating to Morman Mental Health if you’d like to see this program continue after 2018: https://www.mormonmentalhealth.org  

Kristyn Decker joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Having been the child of polygamous prophet, Kristyn shares her journey of being part of a polygamous group and also her post-fundamentalist life. She shares her experience with sexuality as a fundamentalist, her experience going on the show “Sister Wives” and then Natasha and Kristyn dive into the doctrines used to keep people dedicated to the group. Kristyn is the author of “Fifty Years in Polygamy: Big Secrets and Little White Lies”: https://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Years-Polygamy-Secrets-Little/dp/145255000X Other references referred to in the episode include: Lindsay Hansen Park’s “Year of Polygamy” Podcast which you can find at yearofpolygamy.com You can find out more about “Sister Wives” by going to tlc.com/tv-shows/sister-wives/ As always, please consider donating to Mormon Mental Health by going to mormonmentalhealth.org 

On this episode of Mormon Mental Health, Natasha is joined by Karin Franklin Peter who is a Community of Christ minister and serves on the Council of Presidents of Seventy. Natasha and Karin discuss Karin's personal spiritual journey in the church, the reaction by members in the church and current changes taking place. Natasha sums up the episode by mentioning some of the mental health practices that Karin and the Community of Christ employ that both Mormons and non-Mormons alike can learn from. For more information on the Community of Christ, please visit their website:www.cofchrist.org Karin also hosts a Community of Christ podcast, Project Zion Podcast. To find out more, please visit: projectzionpodcast.org/tag/community-of-christ/ Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter: www.mormonmentalhealth.org Natasha Helfer Parker runs an online practice, Symmetry Solutions and writes at The Mormon Therapist for Patheos: Hosting the Conversation of Faith. She also hosts the popular podcasts, Mormon Mental Health & Mormon Sex Info and creates the sex educational resource, Sex Talk with Natasha.

Kristin Marie Bennion and Amy Heffernan join Natasha as they discuss current topics in Mormonism surrounding sexuality. They discuss the term “non-consensual immorality” and how this is not a “thing," the Protect LDS Children movement, the situation surrounding Joseph Bishop and go into depth of one man’s experience who found his sexual perpetrator was recently called to be a bishop. During the conversation, Natasha realizes she is a mandatory reporter for this man’s experience. As she processes the situation with Kristin and Amy, she realizes she needs to report the perpetrator. Please note that Natasha consulted with her professional ethics/legal board and has placed a call to child protective services in regards to the case discussed in the podcast. To view the the talk Natasha gave for the Protect LDS Children march in Salt Lake City, please go here: www.facebook.com/ProtectLDSChildren/videos/1801423469921921/ Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter: www.mormonmentalhealth.org

Jim Summers joins Natasha as he discusses his sexual orientation and how it didn’t fit the traditional LDS mold and specifically the impact that it had on him, the choices he made and where he’s at today. Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter: www.mormonmentalhealth.org

This is a special release on Mormon Mental Health shared by Mormon Sex Info due to the upcoming Rocky Mountain Sex Summit that will be taking place September 22-23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Natasha Helfer Parker wants to help promote the event and therefore is making this podcast available on this platform for free.  Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Al Vernacchio on the topic of providing the most effective types of sexual education to adolescents. What's the difference between abstinence and comprehensive sexual education? What's the history of the importance of virginal status and the impact it has on our culture? How do we teach teens what it means to have sex outside of the mechanical definition? How do we honor our teens as sexual beings? What kinds of sexual options can we offer our teens, so that they are better prepared to make sexual decisions that parallel their values?  Al Vernacchio is the K-12 Sexuality Education Coordinator at Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, PA. A Human Sexuality educator and consultant for over 25 years, Al has lectured, published articles, and offered workshops throughout the country. His work has been featured in “Teaching Good Sex”, a November, 2011 cover story in The New York Times Magazine. In addition Al has given four TED Talks, and has appeared on national programs such as NPR’s “Morning Edition”. He is the author of For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Young People About Sexuality, Values, and Health published by Harper-Collins. Resources mentioned during podcast: Action Aids For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Young People About Sexuality, Values, and Health by Al Vernacchio Sex Needs a New Metaphor. Here's One. by Al Vernacchio  The Danger of the Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie   Rocky Mountain Sex & Intimacy Summit   Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST runs an online practice, Symmetry Solutions, which focuses on helping families and individuals with faith concerns, sexuality and mental health. She writes at The Mormon Therapist for Patheos: Hosting the Conversation of Faith, runs Mormon Sex Info and is the current president for the Mormon Mental Health Association.

In this series on Mormon Stories, we interview the fabulous Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT, CST — moderator of the Mormon Mental Health podcast — to finally hear her “Mormon story.” This interview covers: *Being raised in the Church with convert parents in Spain and her eventual move to the US *Natasha and her family’s concerns about the practice of polygamy and frustration that their questions never seemed to be answered, yet remaining true-believers *The impact of being a victim of sexual abuse as a child and teenager and how it influenced her experiences exploring her sexuality as a teenager and young adult *Her removal from BYU because of her sexual experiences and her thoughts now about the unintended consequences of honor code enforcement *How she met her husband and disclosed her sexual past in an act of transparency, and how it affected the first years of their marriage *Her thoughts now about the difference between behavior and self-worth within the Church, especially as it relates to sexual behavior *Her decision to become a sex therapist and how her move to the Midwest became an impetus to develop a wider online presence *How being a believer in the faith, but having a nuanced view of sexuality led her to being widely known as the “Mormon Sex Therapist” *How cracks developed in her Orthodox faith foundation *Her feeling of being in a continuing faith transition for much of the 20+ years of her practice http://www.mormonmentalhealth.org https://www.symmetrysols.com

In this series on Mormon Stories, we interview the fabulous Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT, CST — moderator of the Mormon Mental Health podcast — to finally hear her “Mormon story.” This interview covers: *Being raised in the Church with convert parents in Spain and her eventual move to the US *Natasha and her family’s concerns about the practice of polygamy and frustration that their questions never seemed to be answered, yet remaining true-believers *The impact of being a victim of sexual abuse as a child and teenager and how it influenced her experiences exploring her sexuality as a teenager and young adult *Her removal from BYU because of her sexual experiences and her thoughts now about the unintended consequences of honor code enforcement *How she met her husband and disclosed her sexual past in an act of transparency, and how it affected the first years of their marriage *Her thoughts now about the difference between behavior and self-worth within the Church, especially as it relates to sexual behavior *Her decision to become a sex therapist and how her move to the Midwest became an impetus to develop a wider online presence *How being a believer in the faith, but having a nuanced view of sexuality led her to being widely known as the “Mormon Sex Therapist” *How cracks developed in her Orthodox faith foundation *Her feeling of being in a continuing faith transition for much of the 20+ years of her practice http://www.mormonmentalhealth.org https://www.symmetrysols.com

In this series on Mormon Stories, we interview the fabulous Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT, CST — moderator of the Mormon Mental Health podcast — to finally hear her “Mormon story.” This interview covers: *Being raised in the Church with convert parents in Spain and her eventual move to the US *Natasha and her family’s concerns about the practice of polygamy and frustration that their questions never seemed to be answered, yet remaining true-believers *The impact of being a victim of sexual abuse as a child and teenager and how it influenced her experiences exploring her sexuality as a teenager and young adult *Her removal from BYU because of her sexual experiences and her thoughts now about the unintended consequences of honor code enforcement *How she met her husband and disclosed her sexual past in an act of transparency, and how it affected the first years of their marriage *Her thoughts now about the difference between behavior and self-worth within the Church, especially as it relates to sexual behavior *Her decision to become a sex therapist and how her move to the Midwest became an impetus to develop a wider online presence *How being a believer in the faith, but having a nuanced view of sexuality led her to being widely known as the “Mormon Sex Therapist” *How cracks developed in her Orthodox faith foundation *Her feeling of being in a continuing faith transition for much of the 20+ years of her practice http://www.mormonmentalhealth.org https://www.symmetrysols.com

At the April 2015 General Conference, several church members took the unusual step of voicing opposition during the sustaining of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. Frustrated with the lack of dialogue between the church’s top leaders and those with questions about church doctrines, or who hope to help leaders see the negative effects of certain teachings, practices, or types of rhetoric, members of "Any Opposed" felt that being vocal about their dissatisfaction--even at the risk of disruption of a well-known and sacred ritual--was worth the negative pushback they would receive. Surely much went on within the hearts of those who performed this action that brought them to a point in their thinking processes where they felt so voiceless that they saw this ritual moment as one of the only ways they might ever be heard. In this podcast, co-released by Mormon Matters, A Thoughtful Faith, and Mormon Mental Health, Dan Wotherspoon, Gina Colvin, and Natasha Helfer Parker (the hosts of these podcasts) discuss the issue of voice within today’s church. What are the institutional factors that lead to difficulties being heard, especially when our experience or views do not fit within the mainstream? What are cultural forces as play? But, most importantly, are there ideas, framings, skills, and disciplines we might undertake to become more effective in conveying our observations and feelings about things even when the contemporary church and culture is not ideally suited for discussions of difficult issues? How have the hosts found the strength, courage, and abilities to speak up and still be seen (by most members) as faithful, active, and constructive voices within today’s Mormonism?

This week’s excommunication from the LDS Church of John Dehlin, and its making fresher the memory of Kate Kelly’s excommunication last summer as well as other actions taken against persons of conscience who have found themselves in tension with the church, is taking a great emotional and spiritual toll on many of us. We are sad, angry, disappointed, frightened, thrown into turmoil with family members and friends who react differently than we do, and we can’t help but wonder if we have the fortitude to keep fighting on, to keep witnessing for truths we’ve come to feel deeply. Many may be feeling that this is the "last straw" or are otherwise despairing that Mormonism will likely never become better able to welcome open-hearted discussions of difficult historical, social, and doctrinal issues. How can we go forward? On the evening of the news that John Dehlin was excommunicated, Natasha Helfer Parker, Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, Joanna Brooks, Dan Wotherspoon, and Brian Dillman got together via Skype audio chat to discuss various ways they personally cope with the kinds of distress such things cause, perspectives that help heal them in times of difficulty. Their sharing is this podcast episode, which is being co-released by Mormon Matters, Rational Faiths podcast, and Mormon Mental Health podcast. How might we experience and understand our anger in healthy ways? How do we not let our emotions get the better of us and block out wider perspectives that likely would serve us better for the long haul? Can historical and sociological frameworks help us see these recent events in greater context, help us understand ways to more forward rather than repeat negative cycles? Are there larger spiritual or existential framings that can help us make peace with the tensions life and the many things we care about seem to constantly call upon us to bear?

Natasha Helfer Parker from MormonMentalHealth.org interviews Lorena Tobon, who grew up as a faithful and extremely dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Colombia. From an early age she found herself falling in love with…Read more →

Natasha Helfer Parker from MormonMentalHealth.org interviews Lorena Tobon, who grew up as a faithful and extremely dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Colombia.  From an early age she found herself falling in love with…Read more →

Natasha Helfer Parker from MormonMentalHealth.org interviews Lorena Tobon, who grew up as a faithful and extremely dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Colombia.  From an early age she found herself falling in love with…Read more →

In this three-part interview we speak with"The Mormon Therapist" Natasha Helfer Parker about the top 10 mental health issues that Mormons commonly face.

In this three-part interview we speak with"The Mormon Therapist" Natasha Helfer Parker about the top 10 mental health issues that Mormons commonly face.

In this three-part interview we speak with"The Mormon Therapist" Natasha Helfer Parker about the top 10 mental health issues that Mormons commonly face.