Natasha Helfer Parker hosts a panel with Shannon Hickmanand Kristin Marie Bennion where they all help a mom, Camille Bailey Aagard, go through a letter she wrote to her son in regards to her concerns about pornography.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Milena Garcia Skollar, member of the Mormon Mental Health Association, about preventing sexual abuse from a parenting perspective, educating kids, treatment options, etc. especially in light of the many conversations currently taking place in the Mormon church in regards to consent, sexual assault, and how the church has historically handled these types of situations.
Natasha Helfer Parker and Tim Birt, both mental health professionals and members of the Mormon Mental Health Association, have a discussion and response in regards to the guidelines that were updated and released yesterday by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in regards to preventing and responding to abuse.
Natasha wanted to release this tonight... but will be offering more of the links mentioned within the interview in the following days.
Mormon leaders unveil new rules allowing another adult in room for interviews
First Presidency Directs Leaders to Prevent and Respond to Abuse
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews a prior bishop... who is choosing to remain anonymous due to a variety of concerns he has about talking about these topics to begin with (i.e. confidentiality of those he has served as a bishop, confidentiality of his own family situation and legal protection for sharing what he is talking about today). He will go by "Dave" in this interview and his voice has been altered to protect his identity.
Dave reached out to me due to my involvement with the protectldschildren.org movement where we are asking the church to consider stopping one-on-one bishop interviews where minors are asked about sexual behavior.
He is sharing his own experiences that he had as a father where one of his children had been molested in their ward building. He shares the experience he had with his wife as they tried to deal with this concern within the church system and how that ended up being futile. He also shares his experience with the church "hotline" that is supposed to help in these situations... and is very clear about the expectations members should have (or not have) when it comes to the system that is currently in place.
Dave also speaks about his own experience serving as a bishop and the types of training that were available, the guidance given when he himself was in a situation where people were reporting abuse, etc.
His main message to listeners throughout the podcast is to gain a clear understanding of the legalities involved and how the church is in of itself a legal entity and will act as such (whether one considers this ethical/moral or not). And therefore, to make sure that as a victim or as a parent of a victim you are contacting appropriate authorities and resources... and not rely on the church to be a player in solving these issues.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Jenn Adams in regards to her experience being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Jen comes from a Mormon background and she tells her story not only from a clinical perspective… but also how her religious framing affected how she perceived aspects of her mental health and treatment options. They discuss lots of common issues people face: how does one separate their own identity from a mental health diagnosis, role of family history & mental health, how manic episodes can influence impulsive behaviors that then get caught up in ecclesiastic disciplinary processes, and how spirituality and emotions can get conflated within clinical symptoms. They also talk about some of the things that ecclesiastical and auxiliary leaders can be aware of when ward members might present with these medical issues.
Mentioned during podcast:
Living with Bipolar Disorder as a Spouse Part 1
Living with Bipolar Disorder as a Spouse Part 2
Living with Bipolar Disorder as a Spouse Part 3
12 Ways to Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder
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.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Bryce Cook, founding member of ALL (Arizona LDS LGBT Friends and Family) and the "All are alike unto God Conference," member of the church and father of two gay sons, in regards to his writing the following piece for Dialogue:
He addresses the history of positions in regards to LGBT+ members in our church, our current stances, and why there is room within our doctrine and church policy for questioning of our current stances so that we can move into healthier, more inclusive spaces for all members.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Natasha Helfer Parker leads a panel discussion with Jennifer Finlayson-Fife and Lisa Butterworth in regards to the recent news of Rob Porter's ex-wives speaking up about the physical and emotional abuse they experienced in their marriages. The intersection of domestic violence and Mormonism is not often spoken about. Mormon leaders speak strongly against abusive relationships... and yet the lived experience of many Mormon women is that they are not readily believed, are dismissed or are encouraged to stay with abusive partners; with "eternal marriage" being prioritized over current safety and quality of life.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews James Ott, LCSW about the current opioid epidemic we keep hearing about in the news. James is the executive director of Red Willow Counseling & Recovery where services for substance dependence are offered. They discuss common myths and issues that come up for family systems where substance dependence is an issue. They also tease out some ways that these issues turn up in Mormon communities, and some of the cultural factors that may be at play. There is a discussion on how ecclesiastical leaders and family members can access resources and educations that can help in these types of situations.
Mormon Mental Health Association
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.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Sue Bergin of Symmetry Solutions, a clinical chaplain, in regards to her history having worked in a hospice setting for many years. What types of things did she hear from those she served... both from the perspective of the dying and also their loved ones?
Episode 63: Sex in the Mormon News Jan 2018 #2
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 month join Natasha and Kristin Marie Bennion as they discuss the following news stories & articles:
1. the Protect LDS Children petition and press conference,
2. survey results coming out of BYU study in regards to reporting sexual assault, and
3. how LDS Living Magazine dealt with the dresses worn in solidarity with the #metoo movement at the Golden Globes.
Resources Mentioned:
Protect LDS Children Press Conference
Fox News Reports on the Press Conference
SNAP- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Declaration of Sexual Rights by the World Association for Sexual Health
Results of the BYU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault
Julie Valentine: BYU professor encouraged by results of new research on sexual assault kit processing
Donna Kelly: Helping Sexual Assault Victims and Keeping BYU Accountable for Title IX Recommendations
Mormons miss the point of #MeToo by focusing on modest gowns at Golden Globes by Jana Riess
Natasha Helfer Parker has a discussion with Dr. Randy Moss, who received his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Brigham Young University, and Braxton Dutson, CSW, who received his Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Utah about the new guidelines and questions that were sent out to wards and stakes for parents and potential missionaries to read this past October. They share their concerns about some of the changes and how these standards will disqualify otherwise willing young adults who want to serve. Especially in a culture that still very much has missionary service as a marker delineating the type of "worth" an individual offers the overall community.
All panelists are members of the Mormon Mental Health Association.
Standard Interview Questions for Prospective Missionaries
Standard Interview Questions for Prospective Missionaries Frequently Asked Questions
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 produces Sex Talk with Natasha, writes at The Mormon Therapist for Patheos: Hosting the Conversation of Faith, runs the Mormon Sex Info Podcast and is the current president for the Mormon Mental Health Association.
Natasha Helfer Parker continues the series on “boundaries†that is being hosted by a panel of providers from Symmetry Solutions, who specialize in mental health and relational issues within Mormonism. This is the fourth segment which focuses on adult members.
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.
Those who join Natasha in this episode are Sue Bergin and Emily Celis.
Natasha Helfer Parker continues the series on “boundaries†that is being hosted by a panel of providers from Symmetry Solutions, who specialize in mental health and relational issues within Mormonism. This is the fourth segment which focuses on adult members.
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.
Those who join Natasha in this episode are Sue Bergin, Clinical Chaplain and Emily Celis, LMFT.
Natasha Helfer Parker is going to lead 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 has to do with the Mormon community.
This month join Natasha, Kristin Hodson and Shannon Hickman as they discuss an article written by an LDS woman.