Accountability in the “Comments Section”

June 27, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

Mental health practitioners have noted for a long time how differently people can behave online than they do in person; often in more negative and aggressive ways, with resulting effects on readers. This is especially typical with topics that generally tend to be polarized to begin with: religion, politics, and relational dynamics (i.e. parenting, sexuality, marriage, etc.). See the following article: The Psychology of Online Comments. I’m inviting all of us to consider both self-care and self-monitoring when it comes to the “comments... Read more

Sunstone July31-August3

June 26, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

Many of Symmerty Solutions providers will be presenting at Sunstone this year this year from July 31-August 3rd. Here is one of the presentations we’ll be offering! “As more Mormons experience faith transitions and faith awakenings many couples find themselves unexpectedly in mixed-faith marriages.This presentation at the Sunstone Summer Symposium presents both personal and professional insights into honoring both the challenges and benefits of differing beliefs in a marriage. We will highlight the gifts associated with individualization and fostering mutual... Read more

FEARLESS CONVERSATIONS IN PRACTICE– AUG 1, 2019

June 25, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

The Mormon Mental Health Association (MMHA) is holding its 6th Annual Conference on August 1, 2019 at the Mountain America Expo Center in partnership with the Sunstone Symposium. The Annual Conference averages 50-70 conference attendees who are interested in mental health issues as they relate to the LDS/Mormon community. Registrants are adept in disciplines such as education, counseling, therapy, social work, psychology, sociology, research, nursing, medicine, mediation, advocacy and more. This is a wonderful place to network and reconnect with... Read more

Waves: A Response to Painful Rhetoric

June 21, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

This post is a poem written by the daughter of Shandra Harris, who recently wrote the guest post President Nelson… I’m having a Trust Crisis. I am in awe of young people who are navigating the waters of mixed-faith families. And doing so with deep levels of forethought, love, concern and desire for all that is good in the world…. for themselves, and for their loved ones. Emma suffered deeply while watching our recent General Conference… and it is wonderful families... Read more

2019 Oklahoma City, OK Mormon Faith Crisis Workshop

June 19, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

Join Natasha in Oklahoma City for a Mormon Faith Crisis Workshop. Natasha will spend Friday September 13th and Saturday September 14th “Navigating Life During and After a Faith Crisis” Click here to register and for more information. Did you know Natasha is willing to travel? Do you have a group interested in having Natasha put together a worshop? Do you live in or near Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis, Dallas, Denver, Tulsa, Chicago(or someplace else)? Please email Natasha at nhelferparker@gmail.com.... Read more

Parents: Worry is NOT Love

June 17, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

I very much enjoy having Dr. Julie Hanks as a colleague and friend. I support her approach to mental health and relationships and have so enjoyed collaborating with her as a board member of the Mormon Mental Health Association. Make sure you follow her blog. She will be presenting a Utah Ted Talk at the end of this month. Today’s guest post is written by Dr. Julie Hanks. Opinions shared on guest posts may not completely reflect the positions of the... Read more

How to Fortify Your Mormon Mixed-Faith Relationship–WEBINAR

June 1, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

Click here to get access! Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST can be reached at natashaparker.org and runs an online practice, Symmetry Solutions, which focuses on helping families and individuals with faith concerns, sexuality and mental health. She hosts the Mormon Mental Health and Mormon Sex Info Podcasts, is the current president of the Mormon Mental Health Association and runs a sex education program, Sex Talk with Natasha. She has over 20 years of experience working with primarily an LDS/Mormon clientele. Read more

Not Feeling Relief in Relief Society

May 31, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

The current dialogue in our country in regards to abortion has me shocked and reeling. And as I see comments from members of our Church it becomes clear that many don’t even understand the general positions the Church has taken since before I can remember. There has always been room for abortion consideration in regards to the health of the mother, non viable fetuses, and in cases of rape/incest. Taken from LDS.org: “Church leaders have said that some exceptional circumstances... Read more

To the Authors of a Better Mormon Story

May 30, 2019 By Natasha Helfer

I came to know Margo Catts as both a wonderful hostess and a beautiful writer. She is the author of Among the Lesser Gods. When she submitted this entry to my blog, I couldn’t have been more honored to showcase it here. I agree… we need to be authors of better Mormon stories. Today’s guest post is written by Margo Catts. Opinions shared on guest posts may not completely reflect the positions of the blog’s author. Margo Catts was born and... Read more

Cruise Alaska with Natasha

May 28, 2019 By Natasha Helfer