Mental Health Implications of Policy Reversal

April 11, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

Natasha Helfer Parker, Lisa Butterworth, Sara Hughes-Zabawa and Jennifer White of Symmetry Solutions, LLC talk about the recent reversal of policy changes within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from their perspective as clinicians who work with vulnerable populations. Their goals are three fold: 1. Give space to the many mental health professionals and community members who work in service of the LGBTQ+ population. 2. Normalize the variety of feelings people in the general community may be experiencing... Read more

Look Me In the Eyes and Say “I’m Sorry”

April 10, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

As I sift through thousands of comments on Facebook feeds of people affected by the recent announcement of the policy changes, I am often touched to tears. So many of our brothers and sisters are hurting and I share some of their excerpts in the hopes that our empathy and understanding can grow. Thank you Drew for sharing your thoughts with us here on The Mormon Therapist blog. Today’s guest post was written by Drew Stelter. Opinions shared on guest... Read more

Plea to President Nelson about Families

April 8, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

President Russell M. Nelson, I want to be respectful, yet firm and to the point. Your talk today where you spoke to the general membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a group of diverse families with diverse and complex situations, about how not all families will be able to enjoy the afterlife together… was one of the most harmful things I’ve heard in General Conference. Let me remind you of the families I work with on... Read more

Honor Code at BYU

April 5, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

I just had a conversation with my adult child about their experience at BYU. She was super vulnerable with me and told me that she felt guilty for years over things she wanted to repent about but was terrified that she would be turned into the honor code. I am feeling so helpless that I didn’t know she was struggling in this way. And it’s making me rethink why we connect academic consequences to those who want to repent or... Read more

MMHA Makes Statement in Response To Policy Reversal

April 5, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

I am extremely fortunate to work with some of the most amazing people advocating for the LDS/Mormon community from a mental health perspective. We spent yesterday and today working as a board to get this statement released. We work hard to balance within our community a respectful approach to values and faith while not backing away from our ethical responsibility to present evidence-based, health centered practices. Please share as a resource where appropriate. https://www.mormonmentalhealthassoc.org/november-5th-policy-reversal?fbclid=IwAR1UZAN90wj9ndkJPHjNKSnIg01ceK3jJ1j1Dbypez5FpfCs7LdHYE0OGnw Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST... Read more

Please Don’t Hit Me Again: Response to New Policies

April 4, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

As usual, Blaire adds eloquence, truth and voice to this situation we often find ourselves in as members of our church: between the crossroads of progress and needed repair. This excerpt is in response to the announcements made today from the Mormon newsroom in regards to the reversal of some of the policies put into place in 2015 that affect LBGTQ+ members and their families. Today’s guest post is written by Blaire Ostler. Opinions shared on guest posts may not completely... Read more

A Pivotal Step Towards LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Repair

April 4, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

Amazing. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon church) has finally conceded the untenable position they took back in 2015. What an unnecessary, tragic chapter in our history that could have been avoided from the get go. Hopefully we can get to work on repairing the damage and start making other steps still needed towards full LGBTQ+ inclusion in our faith community. Things to note: 1. Children of LGBTQ+ AND non-members can be officially blessed and baptized... Read more

There’s No Such Thing as Broken Family

April 2, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

I really struggle with the stigma I feel at church since I’ve recently gone through a divorce. Not only have people said really hurtful things about how we have “failed” and how we are now a “broken” family, but I tend to believe these things myself. Even though I know we made the right decision. And even though we are doing a pretty good job at getting along, co-parenting and trying our best to do things with the kids as... Read more

Mixed-Faith Marriage Webinar

April 1, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

Natasha Helfer Parker (Marriage and Family Therapist, Sex Therapist), and John Dehlin (Psychology Ph.D.) will be hosting a 3 evening webinar series focusing on navigating a MIXED FAITH MARRIAGE This webinar will include a PowerPoint presentation, discussion, and homework for participants. The dates/times are as follows: April 2, 2019 – 8-10pm Mountain time April 9, 2019 – 8-10pm Mountain time April 16, 2019 – 8-10pm Mountain time More information can be found at https://donorbox.org/mixed-faith-marriage-webinar-2019 Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST can be reached at natashaparker.org and runs an online... Read more

“When My Marriage Became Mixed-Faith–and Stronger”

March 29, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

Is there hope that we can survive my spouse’s faith transition? Is this just the beginning of the end for us? Will our different views draw wedges between us? I’m pretty terrified that this is what the future will bring. I am a big believer that intimacy grows and even develops when two parties are willing to do the work of re-framing, accepting and even embracing “otherness.” I like to say that, “Sameness is not, nor will it ever be... Read more