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, Clinical Chaplain and Emily Celis, LMFT.
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 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.
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 third segment which focuses on Young Men and Young Women (12-17 years of age).
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 Lisa Butterworth and Sara Hughes-Zabawa.
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.
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.
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.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Duane E. Jennings on the topic of his extensively researched volumes, Stumbling Blocks & Stepping Stones, where he examines the history in Mormonism in regards to the theological and social messages focused on LGBTI+ members. His work and attention to detail is impressive. And his goal is to embolden dialogue so that we can reach a point where this population is not excluded as it is presently from the faith community, rituals, traditions, lifestyle trajectories and even the very plan of salvation.
DUANE E. JENNINGS was born in Mount Pleasant, Utah, and raised in Salt Lake City in a devout LDS family. His parents stressed scripture study, prayer, and meditation as the source of revelation and personal growth. This active mind-and-spirit approach to religion may be attributed to living in an LDS community situated between the University of Utah and Westminster College. He graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in English and history, and a secondary education teaching certificate (junior high and high school), as well as graduating from the LDS Institute of Religion at the University of Utah. He served his mission in South Africa.
​Duane has been aware of his sexual orientation since about age fourteen and, after confronting what seemed to be the contradictions between being a devoted Latter-day Saint and his sexuality, embraced these contradictions and has transferred his energies into harmonizing the two. He has held leadership positions in the Salt Lake Chapter of Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons and in 1996 received the Mortensen Award, Affirmation’s highest award for excellence in continual service.
​Duane has also represented Affirmation at the National Religious Leadership Roundtable, which supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals in religion. In addition, he edited and published the Salt Lake Affirmation chapter’s newsletter for over 10 years, and was religion/spirituality editor and writer (1994-1996) for The Pillar magazine (Utah’s LGBT Magazine (published from 1993-2007)). In 2000 Duane worked with an Episcopal minister and Metropolitan Community Church ministers and together started what has become the annual Pride Interfaith Service that kicks off the annual Utah Pride events each June.
​A sixth-generation Mormon, Duane proudly claims his spiritual place in creation and his relationship with God, in spite of limitations in religious traditions, including Mormonism.
Mormon Mental Health Podcast will be creating a 5 to 6 part series on boundaries within Mormonism. Natasha Helfer Parker has invited the providers from Symmetry Solutions to discuss boundaries… starting with a general overview, then with children, following with teens, then as adults and other topics such as sexuality, etc. in panel format. 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.
In this first part Natasha is joined by Sara Hughes Zabawa and Jana Spangler for a general discussion on boundaries and some of the common issues that tend to come up within a Mormon framework.
Sara received a Masters Degree in Social Work and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Michigan. She completed her Bachelors Degree in Social Work with a minor is Women’s Studies from Brigham Young University. She has extensive experience working with trauma survivors and with teens and young adults struggling with depression and anxiety. Sara helps LGBT+ individuals and their families develop advocacy skills, foster acceptance, and explore the relationship between their sexual and/or gender identity with their religious beliefs. Sara also helps clients navigate difficult life transitions, especially those related to their faith, is a skilled yoga instructor and uses mindfulness training to support clients in cultivating self-care practices.
Jana Spangler, IAC is an Integral Associate Coach and dedicated student of personal growth strategies. Over the past 5 years she has continually attended seminars and retreats, participated in on-line courses, studied world thought and spiritual leaders through books and interviews, and participated in several support groups. In July 2014, after having been born and raised in the LDS faith (Mormonism), she experienced a near-complete collapse in her faith. Since that time, she has used the tools she has gained through her study to travel a path of increasingly fulfilling spirituality and has spent countless hours supporting and mentoring others who are experiencing pain in their spiritual life and relationships.
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.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Miguel Barker-Valdez, one of the founders of Rational Faiths mainly about the concepts of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. They talk about his experience as a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery, as well as a specific circumstance where he was part of helping with a fatal roadside accident (for those who might find this type of discussion disturbing, Miguel does go into detail as to his efforts to save a young woman’s life). Many jobs lead to opportunities to be part of other people’s suffering, often called vicarious trauma (mental health practitioners, physicians, police officers, fire safety, paramedics, soldiers, teachers, etc.). Even how many callings in the church are ripe for members to experience compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
Their discussion goes in many rich directions, specifically about issues regarding race and culture (Miguel’s “race awakeningâ€ÂÂ), complicated family dynamics and Miguel’s relationship with the LDS church.
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.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Miguel Barker, one of the founders of Rational Faiths mainly about the concepts of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. They talk about his experience as a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery, as well as a specific circumstance where he was part of helping with a fatal roadside accident (for those who might find this type of discussion disturbing, Miguel does go into detail as to his efforts to save a young woman's life). Many jobs lead to opportunities to be part of other people's suffering, often called vicarious trauma (mental health practitioners, physicians, police officers, fire safety, paramedics, soldiers, etc.).
Their discussion goes in many rich directions, specifically about issues regarding race and culture (Miguel's "race awakening"), complicated family dynamics and Miguel's relationship with the LDS church. Even how many callings in the church are also ripe for members to experience compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
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.
This is a special release on Mormon Mental Health shared by Mormon Sex Info due to the upcoming Rocky Mountain Sex Summit that will be taking place September 22-23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Natasha Helfer Parker wants to help promote the event and therefore is making this podcast available on this platform for free.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Al Vernacchio on the topic of providing the most effective types of sexual education to adolescents. What's the difference between abstinence and comprehensive sexual education? What's the history of the importance of virginal status and the impact it has on our culture? How do we teach teens what it means to have sex outside of the mechanical definition? How do we honor our teens as sexual beings? What kinds of sexual options can we offer our teens, so that they are better prepared to make sexual decisions that parallel their values?
Al Vernacchio is the K-12 Sexuality Education Coordinator at Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, PA. A Human Sexuality educator and consultant for over 25 years, Al has lectured, published articles, and offered workshops throughout the country. His work has been featured in “Teaching Good Sexâ€ÂÂ, a November, 2011 cover story in The New York Times Magazine. In addition Al has given four TED Talks, and has appeared on national programs such as NPR’s “Morning Editionâ€ÂÂ. He is the author of For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Young People About Sexuality, Values, and Health published by Harper-Collins.
Resources mentioned during podcast:
For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Young People About Sexuality, Values, and Health by Al Vernacchio
Sex Needs a New Metaphor. Here's One. by Al Vernacchio
The Danger of the Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Rocky Mountain Sex & Intimacy Summit
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.
Savannah is a 12-year old young woman who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After several months of convincing her parents that she wanted the opportunity to bear her testimony in church about how she identifies as gay, she went ahead and spoke to her congregation at the beginning of May of this year. About two thirds of the way through, the microphone was turned off by the presiding leader and she was asked to sit down. In this interview, Natasha Helfer Parker offers Savannah the Mormon Mental Health Podcast microphone so that she can share her testimony without interruption. Savannah is delightful as she talks about her thoughts and feelings about this experience, as well as her concern for other teens and pre-teens who are in her position.
Because this interview involves a minor, the audience should be aware that several precautions and safeguards have been put in place to offer protection and boundaries for Savannah's sake. Some of these precautions are mentioned here.
Comments will be highly moderated and only those of support for Savannah's journey will be allowed. If there are any concerns that commenters want to share with the host, you can reach her at mormonmentalhealth@gmail.com.
This interview will only be available in the future according to Savannah's and her family's discretion. At any point in her life, she will have the right to ask for it to be removed from the podcast archive.
Both Savannah and her mother have reviewed and approved this podcast before it's publication.