Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Gail Nicolaysen-Shurtleff in regards to her unique experience being both the spouse of man diagnosed with bipolar disorder and a mental health professional. This is a podcast that discusses many sensitive topics, including the death by suicide of Gail’s husband. Please be careful to listen in ways that your self-care is prioritized.
This interview is meant to help people understand the complexities of what living with serious mental illness can look like… whether from the perspective of the diagnosed individual or being part of their support systems. Gail is careful to explain that ways she chose to cope with her situation are not necessarily ways that would be appropriate or healthy for everyone. We both encourage that personal safety always come first  regardless of the situation. At the same time, we recognize that dealing with mental health is often a messy process and that people choose to deal with their situations in a variety of ways for a number of reasons. Access to good mental health services is a universal problem. And the reality stands that most people stay in family situations where there can be difficult dynamics… even abusive ones.
I want to thank Gail for her vulnerability in sharing such a raw and personal interview. It takes a lot of guts, especially in light of her profession. Wanting to help validate people’s experiences in similar situations as well as offer any helpful education was her main goal in doing so.
Shurtleff Counseling and Consulting Services
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.
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
Natasha Helfer Parker continues the series on "boundaries" that is being hosted by a panel of providers from Symmetry Solutions, who specialize on mental health and relational issues within Mormonism. This is the second segment which focuses on Primary and Nursery age children (11 and under).
Those who join us in this episode are Lisa Butterworth, founder of Feminist Mormon Housewives; Kimberly Anderson, founder of the Mama Dragons Project; and Jen White who serves clients also from the Sandy Counseling Center.