Four Certified Sex Therapists who routinely work with Mormon clientele offer a response to An Open Letter to Bishops from a Wife of a Pornography Addict: 7 Things I Wish You Knew. Natasha Helfer Parker, Kristin Hodson, Kristin Marie Bennion and Shannon Hickman lead a thorough discussion walking listeners through both the clinically sound parts of the piece, as well as the perspectives they consider misinformed, inappropriate or even harmful to potential readers and ecclesiastical leaders.
Four Certified Sex Therapists who routinely work with Mormon clientele offer a response to An Open Letter to Bishops from a Wife of a Pornography Addict: 7 Things I Wish You Knew. Natasha Helfer Parker, Kristin Hodson, Kristin Marie Bennion and Shannon Hickman lead a thorough discussion walking listeners through both the clinically sound parts of the piece, as well as the perspectives they consider misinformed, inappropriate or even harmful to potential readers and ecclesiastical leaders.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Brian Willoughby, associate professor at Brigham Young University, in regards to his involvement with the recent research publication written in The Journal of Sex Research titled: Damaged Goods: Perception of Pornography Addiction as a Mediator Between Religiosity and Relationship Anxiety Surrounding Pornography Use. There has been much media frenzy around what these results mean and Mormon Mental Health Podcast felt it was important to reach out to the researchers themselves and get their take on what the study was striving to understand, how it was conducted, and how they hope the public and media will interpret and best understand the results.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Jennifer White, a clinical social worker who leads groups in regards to domestic violence (DV) in the Salt Lake City area. This podcast will be useful to those who are experiencing some sort of domestic violence in their lives, as well as family, friends or ecclesiastical/auxiliary leaders who are aware of those who need help with this issue. The podcast covers statistics, definitions and different types of DV, why it can be difficult to leave these types of relationships or seek safety, how to start developing a safety plan and suggestions for all parties involved. On a topic such as this that is often dealt with in family and community secrecy, and can be deadly to many, it is extremely important that we educate ourselves on how to get help and how to help others.
After the recent podcasts where Ryan Flake shares his story about having been treated as a “porn addict,†it is perfect timing to release a podcast Mormon Mental Health partnered with Mormon Matters on last fall. Natasha Helfer Parker teams with Dan Wotherspoon to provide a panel discussion, including leading national experts, on the issues with treating sexual and relational problems through the lens of addiction treatment.
Natasha Helfer Parker and Kristin Hodson, two of the panelists, helped author an Op-Eds in the Salt Lake Tribune focusing on the issue of pornography, and especially if an “addiction†model is appropriate to be taught in high school settings. The impetus for the initial opinion piece was the propriety of allowing the group “Fight the New Drug†(FTND) to offer presentations in public school assemblies or other gathering types, especially since the science behind the claims FTND makes about pornography as “addicting†is not credible. There are major divisions within helping communities with regard to the effects of pornography upon the human brain and body, and the best approach(es) to take when someone comes to a therapist for help with a level of pornography usage they feel is is problematic.
Natasha notes that Mormon Matters went on to interview some clinicians who take the opposing stance to this podcast. However, Mormon Mental Health Podcast is purposefully not including those on its website due to the concern of spreading misinformation that continues to confuse the public. The information found on the episodes that are shared by MMH are supported by the position statements of the national body of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
Natasha Helfer Parker teams with Dan Wotherspoon of Mormon Matters to provide a panel discussion, including leading national experts, on the issues with treating sexual and relational problems through the lens of addiction treatment.
Natasha Helfer Parker and Kristin Hodson, two of the panelists, helped author an Op-Eds in the Salt Lake Tribune (here and here) focusing on the issue of pornography, and especially if an “addiction†model is appropriate to be taught in high school settings. The impetus for the initial opinion piece was the propriety of allowing the group “Fight the New Drug†(FTND) to offer presentations in public school assemblies or other gathering types, especially since the science behind the claims FTND makes about pornography as “addicting†is not credible. There are major divisions within helping communities with regard to the effects of pornography upon the human brain and body, and the best approach(es) to take when someone comes to a therapist for help with a level of pornography usage they feel is is problematic.
Mormon Matters went on to interview some clinicians who take the opposing stance to this podcast. Mormon Mental Health Podcast is purposefully not including those on its website due to the concern of spreading misinformation that continues to confuse the public. The information found on the episodes that are shared by MMH are supported by the position statements of the national body of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Ryan Flake, who was referred to the LDS Addiction Recovery Program by his bishop due to confessions about viewing sexually explicit material and masturbation. They discuss his upbringing as a Mormon and the many messages he received from an early age that contributed to quite a bit of sexual shame by the time Ryan was preparing to go on a mission, even though he was not having any relational sexual experiences. Ryan’s story does a good job of highlighting how certain rigid expectations and attributed meanings can do harm in regards to self-esteem, anxiety management, relational dynamics, sexual development and self-identity. Ryan talks about his experience with the ARP and how he found the messaging shaming and unhelpful in his particular situation where “addiction†was not a correct assessment.
It is the hope of podcasts like these to educate the public about the difference between things such as chemical dependency from relational and behavioral problems that are more common among the general population. It is important to get help and find adequate resources for whatever issues one might be facing. Correct assessment and competent professional help are vital first steps. Unfortunately, the research shows that mental health professionals who come from a religious background themselves, will be more willing to follow a “sex†or “porn addiction†model even though there is no such formal diagnosis. Therefore, the Mormon community needs to be aware that getting adequate help for this topic is complicated and one needs to use caution and good research to get appropriate help.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Ryan Flake, who was referred to the LDS Addiction Recovery Program by his bishop due to confessions about viewing sexually explicit material and masturbation. They discuss his upbringing as a Mormon and the many messages he received from an early age that contributed to quite a bit of sexual shame by the time Ryan was preparing to go on a mission, even though he was not having any relational sexual experiences. Ryan's story does a good job of highlighting how certain rigid expectations and attributed meanings can do harm in regards to self-esteem, anxiety management, relational dynamics, sexual development and self-identity. Ryan talks about his experience with the ARP and how he found the messaging shaming and unhelpful in his particular situation where "addiction" was not a correct assessment.
It is the hope of podcasts like these to educate the public about the difference between things such as chemical dependency from relational and behavioral problems that are more common among the general population. It is important to get help and find adequate resources for whatever issues one might be facing. Correct assessment and competent professional help are vital first steps. Unfortunately, the research shows that mental health professionals who come from a religious background themselves, will be more willing to follow a "sex" or "porn addiction" model even though there is no such formal diagnosis. Therefore, the Mormon community needs to be aware that getting adequate help for this topic is complicated and one needs to use caution and good research to get appropriate help.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Daniel Parkinson, a psychiatrist who was raised Mormon and left the church partly due to being gay, and Thomas Montgomery, Mormon father of a gay son and husband to Wendy Montgomery who helped found the Mama Dragons. Both men recently collaborated on some articles they decided to publish on the same day, Utah’s Escalating Suicide Crisis and LDS LGBTQ Despair on Rational Faiths and Rejection and the Family on No More Strangers. They discuss the alarming increase in suicide rates in Utah  a trend that has been apparent since the Church’s involvement in Prop 8, increased focus on anti-gay rhetoric in talks over the pulpit and the “November 5th policy†which specifically calls out homosexual marriage as a sin worthy of excommunication going as far as disallowing children who reside in such marriages to participate in Mormon ordinances. Many from within church activity dismiss this type of “anecdotal evidence†stating that one can not blame the Church or any one reason for something as complicated as suicide. Both interviewer and interviewees challenge this type of thinking and call on leaders and members alike to take note and be alarmed at the harm that is being done to LGBT+ members across the age spectrum. With the April 2017 Ensign having yet another anti-LBGT article being published just this coming month… these types of podcasts sharing valuable information can be life-saving to many within our midst. Please listen.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Daniel Parkinson, a psychiatrist who was raised Mormon and left the church partly due to being gay, and Thomas Montgomery, Mormon father of a gay son and husband to Wendy Montgomery who helped found the Mama Dragons. Both men recently collaborated on some articles they decided to publish on the same day, Utah's Escalating Suicide Crisis and LDS LGBTQ Despair on Rational Faiths and Rejection and the Family on No More Strangers. They discuss the alarming increase in suicide rates in Utah -- a trend that has been apparent since the Church's involvement in Prop 8, increased focus on anti-gay rhetoric in talks over the pulpit and the "November 5th policy" which specifically calls out homosexual marriage as a sin worthy of excommunication going as far as disallowing children who reside in such marriages to participate in Mormon ordinances. Many from within dismiss this type of "anecdotal evidence" stating that one can't blame the church or any one reason for something as complicated as suicide. Both interviewer and interviewees challenge this type of thinking and call on leaders and members alike to take note and be alarmed at the harm that is being done to LGBT+ members across the age spectrum. With the April 2017 Ensign having yet another anti-LBGT article being published just this coming month... these types of podcasts sharing valuable information can be life-saving to many within our midst. Please listen.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Kelly and Kendra in regards to the effects they felt as a result to ecclesiastical counsel that was not helpful within the context of their experiences. Kelly talks about being in an abusive relationship with her ex-husband and the resistance she encountered as she began to pursue divorce proceedings. Kendra discusses her experience as a sexual assault victim and how she was directed towards a repentance process instead of the help she needed to address trauma treatment. Both women share specific details of their stories that some may find difficult to listen to and that may trigger difficult emotional responses.
The hope of this podcast is to draw attention to the limitations that LDS ecclesiastical leaders, who are not trained theological nor mental health professionals, have when dealing with particularly difficult and complicated family, marital and trauma situations. Leaders are often very well-intentioned and care deeply for the members of their congregations. At the same time, they carry a role within the religious context of representing God's will for those they minister over. And so when counsel or advice is inappropriate to the situation at hand, the damage can leave a lasting impact that affects the spiritual and emotional health of the parties involved for years to come. Therefore it is imperative that leaders gain a better understanding when to refer to capable professionals, and when the issues at hand are even beyond the scope of what LDS Family Services can offer.
Natasha Helfer Parker and Lisa Butterworth, both mental health professionals, have a rich discussion about the role of both emotion and logic when it comes to how we think through positions we take, beliefs we have and communication styles we engage with others on. This is particularly relevant in understanding dynamics relating to faith transitions, political differences, racial and other types of discrimination and differing moral priorities. We tend to make assumptions that we think and behave from a place of critical thought and self-awareness. Not so much. Emotion and subconscious factors play huge roles in motivation for movement towards anything we lean into. Natasha and Lisa delve into how understanding that both of these human traits are pivotal towards individual and relational growth helps us have more empathy for self and others.
Lisa Butterworth, LPC, NCC has a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Idaho State University, primarily working with issues of relational health, faith transitions and journeys, women's issues and sexuality. ​She is the founder of the popular Feminist Mormon Housewives website and support group.
The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Laurie Mohlman, an LDS therapist and member of the Mormon Mental Health Association, who works with women on parole from the Utah state prison system. They discuss many different topics including how women coming from LDS backgrounds can get involved in activities that lead to doing prison time, the types of themes both in and out of the church that these women struggle with, the types of help the Church offers women as they integrate back into society, and most interestingly the women's perspectives themselves on why on the one hand they report loving the church and the support they feel while at the same time stating they will never return to their home wards. This will also be a helpful podcast for ward and stake leaders who are trying to support members of their congregations who have experienced such hardships.
Laurie currently works as the Clinical Therapist at Orange Street Community Correctional Center, a halfway house in Salt Lake City, providing substance abuse and trauma therapy to women on parole from the Utah State Prison. She also works in private practice in Springville, Utah.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Brittny Habibti and Ashley Judd Errington, two Mormon women who participated in the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Baton Rouge, LA in July 2016. They were part of the protestors who took refuge on the lawn of a woman who gave them permission to be on her private property, and yet the police dressed in riot gear pushed past and arrested many of those present. Brittny and Ashley speak to their experiences, resulting in PTSD symptoms for months to come... as well as to why this movement exists... why this remains such an important dialogue to be having... and the implications for Mormons in particular when it comes to addressing racial issues within our faith community. This is a particularly timely podcast with February being Black History Month.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Ruth Halstead, an LDS therapist and member of the Mormon Mental Health Association, whose work helping people who self-injure was featured in an article in the Chicago Tribune last March, 'Cutters' and self-abusers now have support in NWI. Natasha and Ruth cover helpful information that can be used as a resource for those who deal with this issue, as well as their family, friends and ecclesiastical & auxiliary leaders who want to offer support. They also address ways that aspects of Mormon culture/practice can both be assets and problematic in regards to this theme. This podcast is helpful in providing resources for anyone wanting to use March 1st, Self-Injury Awareness Day, as a way of bringing attention and education to this relevant topic.
Note: this podcast was recorded fall of 2016 prior to President Nelson's statements that the policy affecting LGBT members was "revelation."
Cornell University Self Injury and Recovery Research and Resources (SIRRR)
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews a powerhouse panel: Donna Kelly, a Salt Lake City based prosecutor who focuses on sexual assault and domestic violence cases; Kristine Haglund, previous editor for LDS magazine Dialogue and Colleen Payne Dietz, a sexual assault survivor. They discuss the situation that started spring of 2016 when Madi Barney filed a federal complaint against BYU-Provo in regards to how sexual assault cases are handled in regards to Title IV protocol with the Honor Code Department becoming involved with often academic and spiritual consequences doled out to victims who report assault. As a result, BYU did an internal study/investigation and came forward with recommendations that would be implemented immediately. Since then, BYU has made some recent decisions with staff that BYU assault survivors are upset about and claim do not follow the recommendations put forth. A group of them wrote a letter to the BYU president addressing their concerns, which was published in the Salt Lake Tribune. This is an incredibly important topic to keep in the forefront of discussions happening within our LDS culture.
A candid discussion with sex and marriage therapists Natasha Helfer-Parker and Julie de Azevedo-Hanks about Wendy Watson Nelson’s speech at the January 2017 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults. Host is Gina Colvin and this is a co-production with A Thoughtful Faith.
Nelson’s address garnered some criticism for the unhealthy, purity-centred and confusing expectations that she constructed around sex. She argued that Four Truths (below) should govern and inform marital sex. Helfer-Parker and de Azevedo-Hanks provide a frank critique of this advice.
WARNING: There is explicit content and language in this episode.
A candid discussion with sex and marriage therapists Natasha Helfer-Parker and Julie de Azevedo-Hanks about Wendy Watson Nelson’s speech at the January 2017 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults. Host is Gina Colvin and this is a co-production with A Thoughtful Faith.
Nelson’s address garnered some criticism for the unhealthy, purity-centred and confusing expectations that she constructed around sex. She argued that Four Truths (below) should govern and inform marital sex. Helfer-Parker and de Azevedo-Hanks provide a frank critique of this advice.
WARNING: There is explicit content and language in this episode.