Info

Mormon Mental Health Podcast

Supporting mental health within the Mormon community.
RSS Feed
Mormon Mental Health Podcast
2022
April
February


2021
December
October
September
June
May
April
February
January


2020
November
September
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
May
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September
July
May
April
March
February
January


2014
December
November
October
September
August
May
April
March
February
January


2013
December
November
September
August
June
May
April
March
February
January


2012
December


Categories

All Episodes
Archives
Categories
Now displaying: 2020
Nov 24, 2020

This episode was originally recorded for the "Healing Sols Podcast" and has been refurbished for your enjoyment.

For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit https://www.natashahelfer.com.

Nuance in Considering Late Term Abortion with Analiesa Leonhardt who is a nurse midwife, has a doctorate as a nurse practitioner from the university of Utah and was a doula for five years prior. She recently wrote a facebook post - https://www.facebook.com/analiesa.leonhardt/posts/10164136788910007 - that caught Natasha's attention in regards to the current legislation trying to be passed in Colorado (prop 115) in regards to limiting abortion after 22 weeks. Analiesa does a phenomenal job educating us about the moral and ethical impications of such a measure in regards to a woman's ability to make decisions, especially when facing the devastating news that the fetus has medical complications that may not allow for the baby to live past delivery. She shares statistics and information that are important to consider as we all face the dilemmas around our views on abortion, and the consequences of the current polarized discussion on this topic. Her thoughtful language and approach to this topic has a profound impact on the listener. You will value the listen.

Nov 17, 2020

This episode was originally recorded for the "Healing Sols Podcast" and has been refurbished for your enjoyment.

For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit https://www.natashahelfer.com.

Being Resilient as an Individual and within Relationships with Christian Moore, LCSW, founder of whytry.org and author of The Resilience Breakthrough: 27 Tools for Turning Adversity into Action. Christian travels the world presenting to all kinds of organizations, specifically those serving underpriviliged youth, about rising above very challenging situations usually affected by learning disorders. We discuss the traits and behaviors that lead towards resilience minded frameworks and how these can benefit your life, mental and relational health. How do we better understand the differences of unconditional vs. conditional love and what they both reap? What is "street resilience"? What does a role of a mentor in our development offer? Are we really just supposed to be getting "rid" of negative feelings? What role can what are typcially labeled "negative feelings" play in empowerment and self-transformation? How can we get along with people who believe fundamentally different things than we do (super important part of the podcast given we are just days away from the US election)? Christian is a brilliant thinker who has put his own life experience to the test in regards to his theoretical framing. Transformative listen that I recommend going through at least twice!

Sep 21, 2020

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.

Jul 13, 2020

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.

Jul 6, 2020

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.

Jun 29, 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.

Jun 22, 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

Jun 18, 2020

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

Jun 9, 2020

Join Natasha for an interview with the fabulous Mica McGriggs about racial equality and social impact. Dr. McGriggs defines racism, white fragility and white supremacy and why Mormons are more vulnerable to racism. They discuss “systems” and what we as white people can do to not be complicit.

Dr. McGriggs will be offering a class for anyone to join. To find out more, please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/racial-equity-social-impact-tickets-104768040028?fbclid=IwAR1QCgrdBfD_efgtLQCOfeOGYn12SGw11Q-TXFP-5uJ2T0wW9yFvYGN8Azk

Resources discussed in this episode:

“Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness” by Paul Reeve

https://www.amazon.com/Religion-Different-Color-Struggle-Whiteness/dp/0199754071

“The Bridge Poem” by Donna Kate Rushin

https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/thebridgepoem.html

W.E.B. Du Bois and “double consciousness”

First used in an Atlantic Monthly article, “Strivings of the Negro People” in 1897: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1897/08/strivings-of-the-negro-people/305446/

More information on “Double Consciousness”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_consciousness

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

https://www.naacpldf.org

“Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and The Problem of Racial Innocence” by Joanna Brooks

https://www.amazon.com/Mormonism-White-Supremacy-American-Innocence-ebook/dp/B08761ZHCP

President Russel M. Nelson’s social media statement condemning racism and pleading for peace

https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/posts/3015443371856412

Deseret News article on President Nelson’s social media statement

https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-06-01/president-nelson-addresses-race-in-social-media-post-185657

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

May 25, 2020

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.

May 18, 2020

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.

May 11, 2020

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.

Apr 27, 2020

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.

Apr 20, 2020

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.

Apr 9, 2020

Join Natasha Helfer Parker as she interviews Kattie and Allan Mount from the “Marriage on a Tightrope Podcast.” They will discuss this mixed-faith marriage resource as well as an upcoming 6-week online class that the three will be partnering on to help the many who need strategies and education on how to navigate mixed-faith marriage in edifying family-friendly ways.

To register for the online class, please go here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-on-a-tightrope-tickets-97487950083?fbclid=IwAR3hF9js1_H-z1aIpviwQ83RnsPiq0zKkqe6htrgjOY7rzwoEZSxV7xL1nc

To see a therapist or wellness coach, including Kattie who has just joined the Symmetry Solutions team, please visit Natasha’s online practice: symmetrysols.com

 

Please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org to keep the podcast going past 2020.

Mar 22, 2020

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.



Mar 1, 2020

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.

Feb 23, 2020

From Mormon Stories, this is Part 2 of our review of the recently announced changes to the LDS Church's General Handbook of Instructions. Major changes include:
- Major changes to the church's Disciplinary Council and Exommunication processes.

- Major changes for LGBTQ Mormons, and specifically for Transgender Mormons.
- Some minor changes for women/feminists.
- Other changes to general policy.

Tonight our panel includes Natasha Helfer Parker, Gina Colvin, Anthony D. Miller, Kyle Ashworth, Samantha Taylor, and Jana Johnson Spangler.

For a comprehensive over of changes, see here:

https://www.mormonstories.org/…/a-summary-of-todays-change…/

Part 1 can be found here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1260-major-changes-to-lds-general-handbook-instructions/id312094772?i=1000466221815

Jan 28, 2020

Join host Jennifer White as she interviews Jesse Ellis, LCSW. Jesse shares his personal story of being a child victim of sexual abuse.

Jesse talks about about the negativity that came into his life was more from the shame rather than early introduction to sexuality.

Jesse is a therapist at Utah Valley Psychiatry and Counseling Services.

To contact him you can call his office: 801-357-7525

Or find him on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jesse.wren.ellis

Jan 21, 2020

Natasha was a guest on the "Wannabe Balanced Mom" Podcast.

To find out more, visit: 

http://www.wannabebalanced.com/2019/05/ep-57-healing-from-sexual-shame-w-natasha-helfer-parker/

Trigger Warning.

If you’ve experienced sexual trauma, some of the things we discuss in this episode may trigger unwanted emotions to surface.

Natasha Helfer Parker, a licensed marriage and family therapist
and certified sex therapist coaches Sean and I through sexual shame and trauma.

Natasha has 20 years experiencecounseling individuals, couples, and families. Her areas of expertise includes working within
the intersections of faith, life transitions and sexuality.

Jan 14, 2020

Natasha joined Braxton Dutson on his podcast, "Birds and Bees Podcast".

For more information, visit:

https://www.birdsandbeespodcast.com/ep-041-masturbation-values-and-kids-with-natasha-heifer-parker-mfr-cst/

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

Jan 13, 2020

Host Jeff Lundgren interviews "Earthly Parents" who wrote a book for his adult children, “And It Was Very Good: A Ladder-day Saints Guide to Lovemaking.” He writes the book in regards to comprehensive sexuality from a values perspective that fits within an LDS framing.

The guest goes by “Earthly Parents” to protect the privacy of his family and wife. As a parent, he writes to his children as what he wants his adult children to know about sexuality, especially going into marriage.

He talks about his background in Mormonism and then goes into the book including chapter 1 as “Our family’s Sexual Articles of Faith”.

He also shares experiences from readers after having read the book.

For a free copy, please email earthlyparents@gmail.com. You are welcome to share the PDF as well.

The book is also in audio form at Audible.com.

1