Podcasts about mormon mental health podcast

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.

This episode was originally recorded for the “Mormon Mental Health Podcast” and is being refurbished here for your enjoyment. 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 Sex Info” going past 2021, please consider donating to keep Mormon Sex Info going past 2021 please donate at mormonsex.info.

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.

In April 2021, licensed marriage & family therapist and certified sex therapist, Natasha Helfer Parker, was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for her outspoken views on sexual health, same sex marriage and other sexually related issues that the Church opposes. In this episode, Natasha speaks candidly with Dr. Tammy about her personally journey, and how she continues to serve and help her Mormon clientele as well as others from conservative communities who struggle to integrate all aspects of their identity.DR. TAMMY WANTS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS about Sex, Love & Relationships. Send your questions to drtammy@thetroublewithsex.com.INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CERTIFIED AS A SEX THERAPIST?Visit ISTI - Integrative Sex Therapy Institute.  If you are already a therapist, find out how to receive your AASECT Sex Therapist Certification. Or, elevate your practice in relational psychotherapy by earning the new Certified Sex and Couples Therapist designation (CSCT).​ AASECT and CSCT renewal and re-certification classes are also offered.GUEST BIONatasha Helfer Parker is a licensed, clinical marriage & family therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, speaker, writer, podcaster and training supervisor with 20 years of experience treating individuals, couples and family systems.  She is an advocate for sexual health in marginalized populations (LGBTQ+, religious minorities, women) and champions de-stigmatizing sexual lifestyle choices due to cultural/personal/religious bias.  Natasha is the founder and past president of the Mormon Mental Health Association.  She is a  regular columnist for Sunstone Magazine, podcast host for Mormon Mental Health Podcast and Mormon Sex Info and author of The Mormon Therapist Blog for Patheos. She is also available to ecclesiastical leaders and other mental health professionals who are needing training or consultation on specific cases.  THE TROUBLE WITH SEX RESOURCES, REFERENCES & INFO· To read more about how to improve your sex life, check out Dr. Tammy's Getting the Sex You Want: Shed Your Inhibitions and Reach New Heights of Passion Together.· Learn more about love, marriage, monogamy and how to redefine your commitment to each other in Dr. Tammy's TEDX talk - The New Monogamy - or her book by the same name. ·  Want more Dr. Tammy?  Read: The New Monogamy, When You're the One Who Cheats.

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.

Summary:In today's episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Zain of Aftersound. Zain gives us a peek into the mind of a musician and shares his perspective behind the music he creates. We learn of the possibilities that lie behind your hesitation and the rewards that come with it.    Key Points:

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.

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.

Every year I try to provide donors and listeners with a "State of the Union" address for the Open Stories Foundation (the 501c3 non-profit that I lead which houses Mormon Stories Podcast), along with the overall success of Mormon Stories Podcast and the other OSF podcasts (Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis Podcast, A Thoughtful Faith Podcast, and Mormon Mental Health Podcast). The topics for today will be: OSF / Mormon Stories Podcast Mission & What we are about Fiduciary stuff, governance Board status Effectiveness/reach of Mormon Stories Podcast OSF Finances OSF Strategy for 2021 and beyond OSF staff changes, including the addition of Carah Burrell to the staff for a trial period Plan for events and community OSF challenges/needs

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." 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.    

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 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.

[Gulp] In this episode, I get pretty dang REAL about some of my personal pain points – and genuine concerns – surrounding women’s mental health within patriarchal religious hierarchies.  In particular, I share some personal and professional context with how I see women’s spiritual/emotional/mental health being harmed (knowingly and unknowingly). Natasha Helfer Parker is a well-recognized Certified Sex Therapist in the Latter-day Saint (Mormon) community, an LMFT and host of the Mormon Mental Health Podcast. This episode is actually me being interviewed on Natasha’s podcast, which was kind of interesting to have the tables turned! She has developed a special interest in helping clients work through issues regarding their interpersonal relationships, sexual development, and faith or spiritual journeys.  She particularly enjoys helping those wanting to navigate their religious cultures in healthy ways - whether they desire to stay within their faith communities or leave altogether.  She and I both honor all religious paradigms and choices.     Link to this episode is in the comments below!  (SUBSCRIBE to Women Seeking Wholeness on iTunes, Spotify and all other podcast platforms) In this episode: What losing my sister to suicide and sitting on the Utah Attorney General’s State Suicide Prevention Council taught me about perfectionism and “the worthiness issue” as detriments to emotional safety and mental health How I was able to come to peace with my “personal salvation” and claim spiritual sovereignty to reclaim my emotional wellbeing How do the marginalized find inclusion and healthy sociality within a religion? Find Natasha: https://www.natashaparker.org/ If you haven’t checked out my (Cherie’s) free healing mini-kit, go here: www.standspeakshine.com/healingkit   ABOUT: Cherie Burton is a mom of 6, author, international speaker, emotional healing expert, business owner and feminine leadership trainer. She specializes in the science and spirituality of emotions and sensory integration; a "whole soul" approach.  Cherie has degrees in psychology and sociology and has worked as a counselor in the fields of mental health and addiction.  She is a former Mrs. Utah and coaches females of all ages in private mentoring programs, retreats and online courses.  Cherie travels internationally, empowering audiences with knowledge and tools to heal their emotions, find their callings, and receive wholeness. CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE: www.cherieburton.com Cherie has recently launched two online courses: The Emotional Wholeness Master Class and The 22 Day Depression Cleanse which can be found HERE.   She is the author of two e-books, “Where Depression Ends and You Begin: 4 Passages to  Discovery”; and “True and Lasting Change--4 Ways to Break Through Fear.”  Her Stand Speak Shine programs provide women with retreats and mentoring programs to empower them to heal, express and create.  www.standspeakshine.com Her book, If She Could Speak, will be released in 2021. Meet her at www.cherieburton.com

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 Please enjoy the episode. Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Ben and Jen Johnson about their experience dealing with a porn disclosure in their marriage.  They discuss the messages they heard growing up Mormon that framed their sexual understanding, their histories in regards to being introduced to pornography, the betrayal and hurt they had to face when Ben would disclose his pornography viewing behavior to his wife, meanings that were attributed to the behavior (including that their marriage might be over), and how they figured out how to reframe the entire problem into a less threatening one. In fact, their relationship actually improved.  They address how they were able to shift meanings and begin a dialogue that actually enhanced self-worth for both, explored their sexual relationship, increased intimacy, and has set them on a different trajectory as far as how they want to educate their children. Ben and Jen courageously share a very personal story in the hopes that other couples like them can find productive and healing ways to resolve disclosures around pornography viewing. Resources mentioned during podcast: Podcast the Johnson’s mentioned can be found either at Mormon Stories:    Pornography, Masturbation, Sex and Marriage in Mormonism or Mormon Mental Health Podcast:   Pornography, Masturbation, Sex and Marriage in Mormonism  

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 Please enjoy the episode. Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Aimee Heffernan, LMFT in regards to achieving what can at times seem like the elusive female orgasm. They cover all types of topics from psychological aspects that can get in the way of climax, to specific techniques that women and their partners can find helpful. What ruts can we get stuck in either in regards to sexual practice or sexual meaning? How does self-pleasure and self-exploration begin a self knowledge that can translate to orgasmic potential? How can using a vibrator help achieve orgasm? Does the G-Spot exist? What about multiple orgasms? What is squirting? How do we improve our communication skills around these types of conversations?   head shot webAimee Heffernan grew up in Salt Lake City in a very open-minded, unorthodox, feminist, Mormon home. She was raised with the beautiful aspects of Mormon theology balanced with the nuance and complicated parts church history. Aimee attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA before she went on her mission to Sendai, Japan. She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Sociology and with a masters degree from Seattle Pacific University in Marriage and Family Therapy. Aimee has a private practice in Redmond, WA, where she specializes in relationships, infidelity, sexuality, faith/spirituality crisis and transitions, mixed faith marriages, women’s issues, self-esteem and identity. She is a trained educator for the Gottman Bringing Baby Home program. She is currently working towards becoming a certified sex therapist through AASECT. Aimee has presented for the NW Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, local schools, more church functions than she can count, and enjoys speaking about mental, emotional, and sexual health. Resources mentioned during the podcast:   My Official Stance on Masturbation blog post by Natasha Helfer Parker   How Can I Go to the Temple if I’m Still Masturbating blog post by Natasha Helfer Parker   Kristin Hodson featured on Episode 1: Porn Addiction: Is It Real?   LDS Female Sexuality with Jennifer Finlayson-Fife on Mormon Mental Health Podcast   OMGYES   Kinsey Institute   Sex + w/ Laci Green   Sexplantions with Dr. Doe   Lovers   Blue Boutique located in Salt Lake City   Sex toy called Double Trouble Other Resources:   Sex Smart Films: Promoting Sexual Literacy   The Clitoris: A Complete Sex Guide   Babeland

In this jointly-released production of Mormon Mental Health Podcast, Mormon Sex Info Podcast, and Mormon Stories Podcast, Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. John Dehlin about his research regarding LGBT Reparative Therapy in a Mormon context. During this conversation, John discusses why he decided to pursue his studies on this topic with his colleague Dr. William Bradshaw—to cut through the talk, rumor, and debate on the success rates of reparative therapy by compiling actual data on the subject. Join us as we learn important insights from the study, including: Are attempts to change sexual orientation effective and/or damaging? How do LGBTQ Mormons navigate their identity? What decisions lead to optimal health/well-being for LGBTQ Mormons and former Mormons? 

Natasha Helfer Parker leads a monthly podcast “bookclub style” with colleagues who also happen to be AASECT Certified Sex Therapists in regards to current articles, news stories, research, etc. that have to do with the Mormon community from a sex-positive perspective. This project is a co-prodcution between Mormon Mental Health Podcast and Mormon Sex Info. Be aware that some language around the Michigan State case is graphic.  This month join Natasha and Aimee Heffernan as they discuss the following news stories & articles: 1. Josh & Lolly Weed and what they currently have to say about their mixed-orientation marriage coming to an end, 2. how Rachael Denhollander talks about the enablers within church systems as part of how abusers get protected, 3. modesty expectations for YW attending church proms in comparison to YM, 4. the Breastfeeding Protection Act going on in Utah, and 5. the types of messages given to our young members about sexuality.  Aimee Heffernan, LMFT AASECT Certification Process Tina Sellers: Sex, God, and the Conservative Church: Erasing Shame from Sexual Intimacy TURNING A UNICORN INTO A BAT: THE POST IN WHICH WE ANNOUNCE THE END OF OUR MARRIAGE Protectldschildren.org First Woman To Accuse Nassar Says Church Can Be One Of ‘Worst Places’ To Go For Help Dress Codes Trying to Desexualize Girls are Actually Sexualizing Them More What Teenagers Are Learning From Online Porn Over Cries Of Immodesty, Breastfeeding Bill Advances A Powerful Letter to Young Mormons About Sex and What They Need to Understand Me Too Movement Family Acceptance Project  Birds Bees & Kids   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.

Mormon Mental Health Podcast desperately needs funding to keep it sustainable. Episodes get downloaded anywhere from 6,000-12,000 times a month! So lots of people are listening to it... only about 10-15 people donate to it on a consistent basis. Yikes! I hope you will consider donating if this work is of value to you. I think it is a great resource and I've received overwhelmingly positive feedback. #givingtuesday to donate: https://www.facebook.com/openstories

Mormon Mental Health Podcast will be creating a 5 to 6 part series on boundaries within Mormonism. Natasha Helfer Parker has invited the providers from Symmetry Solutions to discuss boundaries… starting with a general overview, then with children, following with teens, then as adults and other topics such as sexuality, etc. in panel format. We notice in our mental health work with primarily LDS clientele, that there are difficulties understanding what healthy boundaries are and look like… as well as how to implement them in a patriarchal and authoritative structure, where often people feel like boundaries have already been set for them by the system. Unfortunately, not having the ability to create healthy boundaries for oneself, one’s children, and one’s family… can contribute to issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, negative relational dynamics and even abuse. From simple things, like whether or not one feels personal permission to reject a calling, to more serious issues such as whether or not we should support children’s interviews behind closed doors where they are asked sensitive questions including about their sexuality…. this is a relevant topic to today’s Latter-day Saints. We hope you will join in the discussion through the comments section to share either things you want us to address, things you are concerned about, ways you disagree/agree with us, things that have helped you balance healthy boundaries, etc. In this first part Natasha is joined by Sara Hughes Zabawa and Jana Spangler for a general discussion on boundaries and some of the common issues that tend to come up within a Mormon framework. Sara received a Masters Degree in Social Work and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Michigan. She completed her Bachelors Degree in Social Work with a minor is Women’s Studies from Brigham Young University. She has extensive experience working with trauma survivors and with teens and young adults struggling with depression and anxiety. Sara helps LGBT+ individuals and their families develop advocacy skills, foster acceptance, and explore the relationship between their sexual and/or gender identity with their religious beliefs. Sara also helps clients navigate difficult life transitions, especially those related to their faith, is a skilled yoga instructor and uses mindfulness training to support clients in cultivating self-care practices. Jana Spangler, IAC is an Integral Associate Coach and dedicated student of personal growth strategies. Over the past 5 years she has continually attended seminars and retreats, participated in on-line courses, studied world thought and spiritual leaders through books and interviews, and participated in several support groups. In July 2014, after having been born and raised in the LDS faith (Mormonism), she experienced a near-complete collapse in her faith. Since that time, she has used the tools she has gained through her study to travel a path of increasingly fulfilling spirituality and has spent countless hours supporting and mentoring others who are experiencing pain in their spiritual life and relationships. 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.

Savannah is a 12-year old young woman who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After several months of convincing her parents that she wanted the opportunity to bear her testimony in church about how she identifies as gay, she went ahead and spoke to her congregation at the beginning of May of this year. About two thirds of the way through, the microphone was turned off by the presiding leader and she was asked to sit down. In this interview, Natasha Helfer Parker offers Savannah the Mormon Mental Health Podcast microphone so that she can share her testimony without interruption. Savannah is delightful as she talks about her thoughts and feelings about this experience, as well as her concern for other teens and pre-teens who are in her position.  Because this interview involves a minor, the audience should be aware that several precautions and safeguards have been put in place to offer protection and boundaries for Savannah's sake. Some of these precautions are mentioned here. Comments will be highly moderated and only those of support for Savannah's journey will be allowed. If there are any concerns that commenters want to share with the host, you can reach her at mormonmentalhealth@gmail.com. This interview will only be available in the future according to Savannah's and her family's discretion. At any point in her life, she will have the right to ask for it to be removed from the podcast archive. Both Savannah and her mother have reviewed and approved this podcast before it's publication. 

Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Brian Willoughby, associate professor at Brigham Young University, in regards to his involvement with the recent research publication written in The Journal of Sex Research titled: Damaged Goods: Perception of Pornography Addiction as a Mediator Between Religiosity and Relationship Anxiety Surrounding Pornography Use. There has been much media frenzy around what these results mean and Mormon Mental Health Podcast felt it was important to reach out to the researchers themselves and get their take on what the study was striving to understand, how it was conducted, and how they hope the public and media will interpret and best understand the results. 

The theory of Cognitive Dissonance is a well-established concept in the field of psychology that explains why we all experience discomfort and anxiety when we are exposed to new ideas and beliefs or engage in behavior that conflict with our pre-existing views, ideals, and beliefs. I've been extremely interested in producing an episode of A Thoughtful Faith that could explore the concept of Cognitive Dissonance as it relates to an LDS faith crisis / faith transition. When the opportunity came to produce a collaborative episode with the wonderful Nathasha Helfer Parker at the Mormon Mental Health Podcast, this seemed like a really good fit for both audiences. So, I couldn't be more thrilled about sharing my discussion with Natasha Helfer Parker and the amazing Jennifer Finlayson-Fife. Both Natasha Helfer Parker and Jennifer Finlayson-Fife are active Latter-Day Saints, as well as marriage and family therapists. Natasha and Jennifer each have experience with treating Mormon individuals and couples, and have observed the function of Cognitive Dissonance as it pertains to Mormon culture and ideals. Please visit their respective websites below. In the first part of this episode we explore the clinical definition of Cognitive Dissonance, including some of the history behind the theory, as well as common examples from day-t0-day life. Afterwards, we transition into how understanding Cognitive Dissonance can be useful in understanding and navigating faith transitions and crises. We hope you enjoy, and please share your thoughts and comments with us below. Thanks again to Natasha and Jennifer for sharing their experience and expertise with me and our audience.