New Podcasts

Last updated on: November 11, 2014 at 8:35 pm By Natasha Helfer

I have some new podcasts over at Mormon Mental Health Podcast I want to draw your attention to: Carol Boyer on Disabilities and Domestic Violence I interview Carol Boyer of the Department of Labor: Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). They discuss a myriad of issues: from Carol surviving polio as a child, the importance of vaccinations, the impact chronic illness had on her family and faith, and complexities facing those with mental and physical disabilities. Carol also speaks of her... Read more

Finding your ACE Score

Last updated on: September 12, 2014 at 2:39 pm By Natasha Helfer

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study I recommend we familiarize ourselves with. The reality that childhood trauma affects our health, social, and economic wellbeing is one that needs addressing. Especially behavior that can often be seen through the religious lens of “sin” instead of seeing a larger picture that can often be much more complicated. Figuring out your “ACE Score” can be a window into useful insight as to how we are managing within the realms of both mental and physical health. And... Read more

How do I teach my kids about pornography?

Last updated on: August 26, 2014 at 1:17 am By Natasha Helfer

How do you teach your kids about the bad that pornography can do but not teach them they will spiritually die if they look at it? In other words, teach the dangers without over exaggerating them? This is a great question. Especially since the trend I have seen within our culture is that the way we talk about this issue can unintentionally exacerbate the problem instead of helping find solutions. We have become too comfortable with the exaggeration of... Read more

Navigating a Faith Crisis in your Marriage Workshop

Last updated on: July 27, 2014 at 12:25 pm By Natasha Helfer

Natasha Helfer Parker, John Dehlin, and Margi Dehlin will be hosting a 6 hour workshop for current, mixed-faith, and former Mormon couples who are navigating faith issues, parenting, and sexuality in either a mixed-faith, post-orthodox, or a post-Mormon context. Couples and individuals are welcome to attend, but the content will be oriented towards helping married couples deal with faith transition issues. Location: Logan, UT Date: Sunday, August 3rd Time: 9am to 5pm Price: $300/couple. Discounts available based on need and... Read more

Clergy or Family Sex Abuse Study

Last updated on: July 19, 2014 at 1:24 pm By Natasha Helfer

Current study being done out of Nova Southeastern University comparing effects of clergy sexual abuse to incest. These are very difficult issues for those who have lived through them – if you think it might be helpful to your healing process to participate in such a study, please follow the link below. Feel free to pass the link along to others. Clergy Sex Abuse Study Most of the research on clergy sex abuse has been from the perspective of the... Read more

Common Sex Taboos within a Mormon Marriage Workshop

Last updated on: July 17, 2014 at 1:01 am By Natasha Helfer

Common Sex Taboos within a Mormon Marriage Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT and Alisha Worthington Tuesday, July 29, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (PDT) Salt Lake City, UT Ticket Information Registration per person: $35 Event Details Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT and Alisha Worthington will broach common taboo sexual topics many LDS couples do not know how to discuss or bring up within their relationships. There are many sexual messages found within the doctrine, culture and overall framework of Mormonism.... Read more

The Mormon Mental Health Association (MMHA)

Last updated on: August 26, 2014 at 12:20 am By Natasha Helfer

Mormon Mental Health Association FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE our first annual conference is around the corner – please help spread the word! The Mormon Mental Health Association (MMHA) is excited to announce their first annual conference in Salt Lake City Utah, July 31st from 6:00-9:00pm. Come join with other clinicians, educators and advocates working with the Mormon population to learn, network and collaborate. Our keynote speakers will be Dr. Jennifer Finalyson-Fife, PhD and Dr. Michael Buxton, PhD.WHAT IS THE MORMON MENTAL... Read more

Is gender inequality bad for mental health?

Last updated on: July 10, 2014 at 1:20 am By Natasha Helfer

Editors’ Note: This article is part of the Public Square 2014 Summer Series: Conversations on Religious Trends. Read other perspectives from the Mormon community here. I know this is a difficult subject to dialogue about in our current state within Mormonism – where things can seem pretty polarized in light of the recent excommunication of Kate Kelly. However, I think this is an important question for all of us to consider. And whether or not the answer at the end of the... Read more

Room For All In This Church

Last updated on: June 16, 2014 at 10:11 am By Natasha Helfer

This is a statement many of us who are involved on the Mormon-themed internet have come up with in response to the possible disciplinary actions facing Kate Kelly and John Dehlin. We face a difficult and pivotal moment in Mormonism as LDS leaders and church members wrestle more openly with complicated aspects of our faith, its doctrine, and its history—often in spaces afforded by the Internet. In light of possible disciplinary action against prominent voices among us, we the undersigned Mormon bloggers... Read more

Differentiate: not Excommunicate!!

Last updated on: June 11, 2014 at 6:14 pm By Natasha Helfer

Today I received the news that both a brother and sister of my church community are being threatened with the process of excommunication. The reason stated: apostasy. Attempting to put aside my own personal feelings of sadness, confusion and distress, I would like to address this issue from the lens of family systems. After all, a central part of Mormonism is this concept of a universal family – all being seen as children of God. In fact we call our... Read more