To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.
Jimmy Bridges presented the following at the MO/KAN AAMFT Conference held in Kansas City, March 22, 2019.
It is titled: Therapeutic Considerations for Queer Clients with Conservative Religious Upbringings
What does it take to be queer and Christian? Clinicians working with queer clients consider the contextual factors of societal discrimination often involved in presenting problems. When queer clients come from conservative or fundamentalist religious upbringings, presenting issues and mental health can often be associated with deeply held religious beliefs. Clinicians grow in clinical competence with queer-religious clients by considering their own personally held narratives about religion, gender and sexual minority identities, and the intersection of both. This presentation will present findings from an original research project with a group religiously conservative and queer-identified adults.
Jimmy Bridges, MS, LMFT is a doctoral student in the couple and family therapy program at Kansas State University. His research looks at the experiences of sexual minorities from conservative religious settings, particularly within Mormon communities, and feminist consciousness- raising processes for majority identity holding individuals, clinicians, and researchers.. Jimmy maintains a clinical practice at Symmetry Solutions LLC out of Wichita, KS.
Please consider donating to Mormon Mental Health by going to: mormonmentalhealth.org.
Jimmy Bridges joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Recently Jimmy presented at a conference. His presentation was titled, “Queer Clients with Conservative Religious Upbringings: Therapeutic Considerations.” Natasha and Jimmy discuss his presentation and dig a bit deeper into his research and conclusions.
Jimmy Bridges, MS, LMFT is a doctoral student in the couple and family therapy program at Kansas State University. His research looks at the experiences of sexual minorities from conservative religious settings, particularly within Mormon communities, and feminist consciousness- raising processes for majority identity holding individuals, clinicians, and researchers. Jimmy maintains a clinical practice at Symmetry Solutions LLC out of Wichita, KS. You can find out more about Jimmy by going here: https://www.symmetrysols.com/jimmybridges
Natasha will be present at some events coming up including:
Thrive 2019: Find Healing & Joy Beyond Mormonism
June 7th-9th
http://thrivebeyondmormonism.com
Transitioning Mormons Annual Cruise
July 17th-24th
https://www.ccruiseplanner4fun.com/rw/view/83268
Sunstone Symposium
July 31st-Aug 3rd
https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/2019-salt-lake-summer-symposium/
2019 Oklahoma City, OK Mormon Faith Faith Crisis Workshop
September 13th – September 14th
https://donorbox.org/2019-oklahoma-city-faith-crisis-workshop
To help keep Mormon Mental Health alive past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.
In episode 168, Natasha was joined by Kevin Kloosterman, a trained RO-DBT Therapist. RO-DBT is a more recent therapy model and Kevin shared his thoughts on the model. You can find the episode by going here:
https://www.mormonmentalhealth.org/168-kevin-kloosterman-and-ro-dbt-therapy/
In this episode, Kevin is back along with Thomas Lynch, the founder of RO-DBT. They are joined by Erica Smith Lynch, who happens to be Thomas’ wife. The group discuss the beginnings of the treatment, how Kevin became involved, and what it is which includes that it is a trans-diagnostic treatment approach with roots in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy).
Thomas Lynch is a professor Emeritus at the school of Psychology at the University of South Hampton. He was the director of the Duke Cognitive Research Program at Duke University until 2007. Currently he is the director of Emotion and Personality Biobehavioral laboratory at the University of South Hampton. He’s been the recipient of large research grants from different sources including the National Institute of Health. He is also the recipient of the John M. Road’s Psychotherapy Research Endowment and a Beck Institute Scholar.
RO-DBT and Thomas Lynch as the founder are recognized internationally. You can find out more about Thomas, including his publications by going here:
http://www.radicallyopen.net/about-the-treatment-developer/
Erica Smith Lynch is the Chief Executive of “Radically Open” and the director of treatment development and training for RO-DBT. She’s been a part of the development of this model since 2008 and has been working alongside Thomas in training therapists.
Kevin Kloosterman has been a former bishop and served on the board of the Mormon Mental Health Associations (mormonmentalhealthassoc.org). To find out more about Kevin, you can go to his website: https://relationquest.com/about-us
They reference DBT and its founder, Marsha Linehan. You can find out more about her by going here:
https://behavioraltech.org/about-us/founded-by-marsha/
To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please donate at mormonmentalhealth.org.
Natasha was recently a guest on Braxton Dutson’s “Birds and Bees Podcast.” Braxton is a LCSW and Certified Sex Therapist in Salt Lake City, Utah. He works at The Healing Group and can be found here:
About the episode:
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
Read more at https://birdsandbeespodcast.libsyn.com/#8HRf8D8XJYV090ou.99Nathan Kitchen, President of Affirmations, and Laurie Lee Hall, SVP, join Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. They join and discuss the impact of the reversal of the “exclusion policy”.
They focus on the approach that Affirmations uses:
For more on Affirmations, please go here: https://affirmation.org
Kevin is a father of 5, dentist in Arizona, engaged to his fiancé.
Laurie Lee is a previous bishop and stake president which ended when the brethren found out she was transgender. She is an architect with a private practice in Salt lake City and Tennessee.
Several things were referenced in the podcast including:
John Bonner’s essay on the policy and what the church could have said:
https://www.facebook.com/john.bonner1/posts/10158390319904942?hc_location=ufi
Affirmations Reaction to the policy:
Stories and Reactions of the November 2015 Policy Reversal
Local Chapters of Affirmations: https://affirmation.org/chapters/?fbclid=IwAR3CAV7YzUgTQhSlMSAYmbD4RNs3dNokAeAE8Xj8T6hqHGU0QTS05JD9BY4
Upcoming Affirmation Conferences and Events:
To keep the podcast alive past 2019, please donate at https://www.mormonmentalhealth.org
In this episode of Mormon Mental Health, Natasha is joined by Fabian Markez, J. Fernando González Díaz, Luis David Trujillo & Joaquín R. Busseporp who are all members of the South American Affirmacion organization. The interview is in Spanish as Natasha feels it’s important to hear voices in Mormonism other than the classic USA voice.
To keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please become a subscriber at mormonmentalhealth.org.
In this episode of Mormon Mental Health, Natasha is joined by Sara Hughes-Zabawa, Jennifer White and Lisa Butterworth as they discuss the recent reversal of the 2015 exclusion policy surrounding children with LGBTQ+ parents not being baptized and participating in other aspects of the church.
The 4 approach the policy from a clinical perspective and how LGBTQ+ folks were affected in 2015 and now. They also address:
1) Holding space for those serving the community,
2) The complex feelings happening because of the reversal, and
3) Strategies to approaching general conference in healthy ways.
Sara recommends Greg Prince’s new book, Gay Rights and the Mormon Church:
https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Rights-Mormon-Church-Consequences/dp/1607816636/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=greg+prince&qid=1555947771&s=gateway&sr=8-1
You can see him speak in his work here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcnVagLY-lM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1Q6or1NvFrRVDMPMUjf2Nhm8viQP4H7ANaIsFY9tC6coVI31aXPSqYfcI&app=desktop
You can find out more about the Family. Project by going here:
https://familyproject.sfsu.edu/?fbclid=IwAR2PVWFUF3tCe703UlIfmou4zi6plVxzfZP1QsRfUv0w6VZw77b8zCqsVZk
Sara Hughes-Zabawa, LSCW, lives in Montana specializing in trauma and specific women’s issues. She is a wellness coach and therapist with Symmetry Solutions.
https://www.symmetrysols.com/sara-hughes-zabawa
Jennifer White, LCSW, specializes in helping people with depression, anxiety, sexuality concerns, trauma, and faith transitions/journeys. She offers coaching/consultation and therapy services to individuals, couples and families.
https://www.symmetrysols.com/jennifer-white
Lisa Butterworth, LPC, NCC, is a wellness coach and therapist with Symmetry Solutions as well as the founder of the Feminist Mormon Housewives.
https://www.symmetrysols.com/lisa-butterworth
http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org
Dr. Jana Reiss and Dr. Benjamin Knoll recently released a book about a survey they performed and the results, specially about Millennials. The book started 2011 when Dr. Reiss was interested in childhood and adolescents within Mormonism. But it then changed when Jana became interested in how those children are as adults, how the religion informed them and how those teachings in childhood might affect adult retention and religiosity. She then created a survey which was to see if there was intergenerational change and difference within the Mormon community itself. The book is a result of the survey.
You can find out more about them and the book by going to: thenextmormons.org
Ricky and Larry Siegel join Natasha to discuss cannabis and stereotypical myths surrounding its use. Recently a journalist came out with an article (soon to come out with a book) about the “truth” about marijuana. Ricky and Larry go through its arguments, debunking them with science and data. In fact, their data suggests that there are far more positives that come from the plant than negatives.
The original article can be found here:
https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/marijuana-mental-illness-violence/
You can find out more about the Siegels at modernsextherapyinstitutes.com.
Please visit https://www.natashaparker.org/ for upcoming events. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.
Zac Erickson, Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. He shares his experience with ADHD and how he now helps those who have been diagnosed with this condition. He goes into detail about the 3 subtypes, how diagnoses are made, how to help those struggling, including parenting tips and what kind of treatments are available.
Zac practices individual and couple therapy and specializes in ADHD. He is a member of the Mormon Mental Health Association.
Please visit https://www.natashaparker.org/ for upcoming events. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.
On this episode of Mormon Sex Info, Matt Fullmer joins Natasha to share his experience going through “Sex Addiction Treatment,” coming from the Mormon Tradition. He shares his experiences with the treatment as the church ramped up its porn rhetoric, why the treatment didn’t work for him and why he’s now better off realizing that this type of treatment is not clinically sound nor effective.
To find a certified sex therapist in your area, please visit: AASECT.org
Please visit https://www.natashaparker.org/ for upcoming events.
Recently Elder and Sister Redlunds did a talk in Hawaii for young adults regarding faith, doubt and doubters. Mike Hancey joins Natasha to discuss their reactions to the talk and how damaging it can be to those going through a faith crisis or transition.
Mike recently resigned from the church. He shares his experience going through his own personal crisis and why this talk was the catalyst to resign. He also shares his thoughts on what he would tell the Redlunds if he could.
The original talk can be found here:
Natasha and Mike discuss the gospel essays the church has recently started to come out with. You can find the links here: https://www.lds.org/topics/essays?lang=eng
Please visit https://www.natashaparker.org/ for upcoming events. To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.
RO-DBT focuses on growth within three core components: openness, flexibility, and social connectedness. The goal of RO-DBT is to help individuals develop new ways of thinking and behaving that promote openness to social and environmental feedback, feelings of social safety, and ultimately the ability to form genuine connections with others. This is done through a series of skills training classes and individual therapy sessions that focus on self-enquiry, empathy, and warm acceptance of emotions, thoughts and behavior.
Tresa Edmunds joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Tresa is a writer, advocate and entrepreneur. In this episode she discusses her experience caring for her child who has autism spectrum disorder and what this diagnosis is about from one mom’s perspective and how to deal with it (spoiler alert: self-care.)
She discusses how her job is not to be the voice of her son but to share his voice with the world.
Tresa can be found online, going by the name of “Reese Dixon,” on Mormon Feminist Housewives: http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/fmh-bloggers/reese-dixon/
As well as her blog: http://www.reesedixon.com
She has recently started a self-care subscription service for self-care gear which can be found at: haventreebox.com
Tresa recommends the “Ring Theory” when it comes to comfort and relationships: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/promoting-hope-preventing-suicide/201705/ring-theory-helps-us-bring-comfort-in
To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.
Katherine Wela Bogen joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. She is a returning guest as she recently joined Natasha to discuss false reporting when it comes to sexual assaults.
In this episode, Katherine discusses her relationship with Judaism and especially how her advocacy for it has been affected in the Trump Era.
She discusses the 8 stages of Genocide: http://www.genocidewatch.org/images/8StagesBriefingpaper.pdf
Katherine is a clinical research program coordinator at Rhode Island Hospital in the department of Psychiatry, working in violence protection research for over 3 years. A Facebook post she made in response to false reporting during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings when Christine Blasey Ford came out went viral in which she gave data on false reporting. You can find the post here:
https://www.facebook.com/katherine.bogen/posts/2141527535858774
To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.
Katherine Wela Bogen joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health to discuss the data behind false reporting. She made a facebook post during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings when Christine Blasey Ford spoke out about her experience with Kavanaugh in high school. The post went viral and you can find it here:
https://www.facebook.com/katherine.bogen/posts/2141527535858774
Katherine is a clinical research program coordinator at Rhode Island Hospital in the department of Psychiatry, working in violence protection research for over 3 years. She started out as a pediatric violence resistant research assistant at the University of Pittsburg Medical School, working with vulnerable populations.
Bogen is currently collaborating on a chapter with her boss,Dr. Lindsay Orchowsky, and with Alan Berkowitz who was one of the founding fathers of “Social Norms Theory.” They are collaborating on a chapter that will be in “The Handbook for Interpersonal Violence” to be published in 2020. The chapter is on false reporting and how common (or uncommon) false reporting is, what some of the barriers to reporting are to begin with, how false reporting is qualified, etc.
You can find Berkowitz “An Overview of the Social Norms Approach” paper here: http://www.alanberkowitz.com/articles/social%20norms%20approach-short.pdf
To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.
In this part 1 of a conversation with John Dehlin, Natasha and John discuss his research and findings when it comes to LGBBTQIA and Mix Orientation Relationships. John shares how he came into this field, how he got his data and what findings his data represents.
John Dehlin is a researcher, podcster and social activist. He has a Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Utah State University. You can find out more about his private coaching practice here: http://www.johndehlin.com/privatepractice/
John is also the founder of Mormon Stories Podcast: https://www.mormonstories.org
To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.
Lisa Butterworth joins Natasha to discuss her personal journey with depression. Having never had any major issues, recently Lisa finds herself battling with it. She discusses how she deals with it on a personal level but also as a mental health professional.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Lisa has a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a provider at Symmetry Solutions. You can find out more about her here: https://www.symmetrysols.com/lisa-butterworth
She is also the founder of the popular Feminist Mormon Housewives website which you can find here: http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org.
To help keep Mormon Mental Health going past 2019, please consider donating at 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.
Michelle Washburn-Busk and Jimmy Bridges join Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. They are both current PhD candidate students at Kansas State, working towards the Marriage and Family Therapy program.
The episode starts with Natasha sharing her background with differentiation, her education on it and how her view of it has evolved. Michelle and Jimmy talk about building off of Ryan and Deci’s “Self-Determination Theory”. They also discuss differentiation in sexuality among other things.
Michelle can be reached at: mbusk@andrewsin.net or mbusk@ksu.edu
Or at Andrews Associates in Manhattan, KS
Jimmy can be reached at jamesgb@ksu.edu. He is also a provider at Symmetry Solutions. You can find out more about him here: https://www.symmetrysols.com/jimmybridges
Some references from the episode:
“Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness” by Richard Ryan and Edward Deci
The Olson Circumplex Model
“Differentiation of Self: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives” by Peter Titelman
“Passionate Marriage” by David Schnarch
And, Michelle’s Spirit Animals:
Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com
Sue Monk Kidd: https://suemonkkidd.com
To help Mormon Mental Health be going past 2018, please consider donating at mormonmentalhealth.org.
Mary Stanley joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health. Mary is an Art Therapist. She discusses her background and looks at how art can be applied to different treatment issues.
Mary has a BFA in Fine Arts & Psychology from Albion College and a Masters of Professional Studies in Art Therapy & Creativity development from the Pratt Institute. She is a Board Certified Art Therapist among other things.
You can find out more about Mary by going here:
https://www.thehealinggroup.com/management-team/2018/4/20/mary-stanley-cmhch-atr-bc-atcs
Or email her directly at mary@thehealinggroup.com
To help keep this podcast going past 2018, please become a monthly subscriber at mormonmentalhealth.com.
Mormon Mental Health Association Colleague, Kelly Furr, joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health.Kelly is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in Arizona and is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in Florida. She helped with the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in February 14, 2018, as members of the community were directly affected. Kelly shares her experience while also sharing insights into how to help victims affected by trauma.
For more information about Kelly, you can visit her website: kellyfurr.com
You can also email her at kellyfurrtherapy@gmail.com
Couple and Parent-Child Relationships, Spirituality and Religious Issues, Crisis Counseling After a Traumatic Event, Grief and Loss, Perfectionism, Sports and Performance Psychology, Women's Issues, Infertility, LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy, Multiculturalism and Diversity, Disabilities
Services: Therapy with Families, Couples and Individuals, Psycho-Educational Presentations, Online Coaching.