Episoder

  • 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:Â 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.

  • Natasha has a returning guest in this episode of Mormon Mental Health. “Sandy” joined Natasha previously to share her story of sexual assault in the church by her bishop when she was 8 years old. With recent news of Sam Young’s looming excommunication, “Sandy” shares her reaction to it and goes into why she submitted her story to the Protect LDS Children website in the first place.  To see her story, go here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klXw_sFoJLo&feature=youtu.be  To listen to Sandy’s two-part podcast with Natasha, go here:  https://www.mormonmentalhealth.org/episode-124-protect-lds-children-one-of-the-many-stories-part-1/  & here:  https://www.mormonmentalhealth.org/episode-125-protect-lds-children-one-of-the-many-stories-part-2/   Please consider visiting Sam Young’s website at protectldschildren.org  To help keep this podcast alive past 2018, please consider donating by going here: https://donorbox.org/mormon-mental-health?recurring=true

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  • 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.Â

    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:Â www.mormonmentalhealth.org

  • This episode is an intimate conversation with Natasha’s close friend, Melissa, who found she was in a mixed orientation marriage several years into her Mormon marriage. At the time, Natasha was a part of Melissa’s process of uncovering her own journey. And, Natasha went on her own journey because of this situation herself, admitting her own biases.

    Natasha will be co-hosting a retreat Oct 12-14 in Salt Lake City Utah on “Understanding and Navigating Healthy Perspectives and Journeys within Mormonism.” To attend, please visit: https://www.mormonmatters.org/retreats/

    As always, please consider donating as the Mormon Mental Health Podcasts need your support to continue past 2018. Please donate by going here: https://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.  Audio Player Â
  • Sheri Winston joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Sex Info. Sheri is the author of "Women's Anatomy of Arousal: Secret Maps to Buried Pleasure." Natasha and Sheri discuss her book and specifically the ways in which women experience sexual pleasure.  To find out more about Sheri and the work she is doing, please visit:  https://intimateartscenter.com  To purchase the book, please go here:  https://intimateartscenter.com/shop/the-book-womens-anatomy-of-arousal/

  • 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 ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚¦ 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”

    Â

    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:Â www.mormonmentalhealth.org

  • In light of a statement on LDS.org declaring, “An inability to feel the spirit ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚¦ 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”

    Â

    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:Â www.mormonmentalhealth.org

  • In light of a statement on LDS.org declaring, “An inability to feel the spirit ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚¦ 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”

    Â

    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:Â 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:Â www.mormonmentalhealth.org

  • Natasha is joined by Braxton Dutson, CWS, in the second episode of the series discussing the letter that Camille Bailey Aagard wrote to her son about porn. This episode includes multiple references including the following:  Al Vernacchio’s ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…“For Goodness Sex” https://www.amazon.com/Goodness-Sex-Changing-Sexuality-Values/dp/0062269518  David Ley “Ethical Porn for Dicks” https://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Porn-Dicks-Responsible-Pleasure-ebook/dp/B01M67PXK9/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8  Paul Malan “The Naked People In Your iPod” https://medium.com/@ungewissen/the-naked-people-in-your-ipod-f770a27fdb59  Mormon Sex Info episode with Paul Malan “The Naked People In Your iPod” http://www.mormonsexinfo.com/69-naked-people-in-ipod  Marty Klein Porn Literacy Checklist https://www.yourtango.com/experts/martyklein/porn-literacy-checklist-for-talking-to-kids-middle-school-age-and-older  Braxton Dutson and Al Vernacchio on the “Birds and Bees Podcast” “Teaching Values in Sexual Health with Al Vernacchio” http://www.birdsandbeespodcast.com/021-teaching-values-in-sexual-health-with-al-vernacchio/  Please check out the podcast Braxton hosts, “Birds and the Bees” http://www.birdsandbeespodcast.com/

  • 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:Â 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.orgÂ

    Thank you to all that have donated to Mormon Mental Health. To donate, please go here and consider becoming a monthly supporter:Â 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.

  • 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:Â 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.

  • Sarah Hughes-Zabawa, LCSW, and Jennifer White, CSW, join Natasha to discuss consent and ways that we can better equip ourselves whether as leaders in the church, family members, supports and allies for anyone that has had to deal with any type of sexual assault.

    Discussed in this topic are articles including, “Myths about Rape” and “How to Teach Consent to Kids” from everydyafeminism.com: Â

    https://everydayfeminism.com/2015/02/how-to-teach-consent-to-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.

  • 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:Â 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:Â 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