Healing Sols Podcast

What I have found in my work as a marriage, family and sex therapist is that I’m in the work of helping people heal from limiting, incorrect, and even harmful messaging. I’ve noticed over the years that I take a very solution focused approach to my work. And, in order to find solutions, we need information. This is why I love podcasting. It gives me an opportunity to interview so many amazing people who have something of value to share. Whether that’s their story, their professional experience, their research, their art or their resources, you will find a wide variety of guests on the show. Which explains my choice of name: Healing Sols. It's a word play between "solutions" (things we want help with in our healing journey) and "souls" (the people who share of their energy and experience to help in that process.) Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS natashahelfer.com

Refurbished MSI 126: LDS Therapists Discuss Natasha Helfer's Membership Council Hearing 04/15/2021

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 24: Achieving Female Orgasm (Refurbished Content) 02/20/2021

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 24: Achieving Female Orgasm (Refurbished Content) This podcast episode was originally recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" Podcast. It's now being refurbished for your enjoyment here at the "Healing Sols Podcast." For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit . Natasha Helfer Parker interviews in regards to achieving what can at times seem like the elusive female orgasm. They cover all types of topics from psychological aspects that can get in the way of climax, to specific techniques that women and their partners can find helpful. What ruts can we get stuck in either in regards to sexual practice or sexual meaning? How does self-pleasure and self-exploration begin a self knowledge that can translate to orgasmic potential? How can using a vibrator help achieve orgasm? Does the G-Spot exist? What about multiple orgasms? What is squirting? How do we improve our communication skills around these types of conversations? Aimee Heffernan grew up in Salt Lake City in a very open-minded, unorthodox, feminist, Mormon home. She was raised with the beautiful aspects of Mormon theology balanced with the nuance and complicated parts church history. Aimee attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA before she went on her mission to Sendai, Japan. She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Sociology and with a masters degree from Seattle Pacific University in Marriage and Family Therapy. Aimee has a private practice in Redmond, WA, where she specializes in relationships, infidelity, sexuality, faith/spirituality crisis and transitions, mixed faith marriages, women’s issues, self-esteem and identity. She is a trained educator for the . She is currently working towards becoming a certified sex therapist through . Aimee has presented for the NW Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, local schools, more church functions than she can count, and enjoys speaking about mental, emotional, and sexual health. Resources mentioned during the podcast: blog post by Natasha Helfer Parker blog post by Natasha Helfer Parker Kristin Hodson featured on with Jennifer Finlayson-Fife on Mormon Mental Health Podcast located in Salt Lake City Sex toy called Double Trouble Other Resources: : Promoting Sexual Literacy /episode/index/show/healingsols/id/18022772

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 23: Sexual Themes in Religious Communities 02/15/2021

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 22: Understanding Psychological Factors to Conspiracy Theories & Cult-like Beliefs 02/08/2021

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 21: Support for Postpartum Care and Infant Feeding 01/31/2021

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 20: The Myth of Sex Addiction (Refurbished Content) 01/24/2021

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 20: The Myth of Sex Addiction (Refurbished Content) This podcast episode was originally recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" Podcast. It's now being refurbished for your enjoyment here at the "Healing Sols Podcast." For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit . Natasha Helfer Parker interviews , author of , regarding the problems with the sex addiction treatment model and the conversations we should be having instead. He states that not only is this type of modality erroneous, but dangerous. They cover such issues as: How do shifting attitudes about sexuality force us to renegotiate how we see and define healthy sexuality? Why is sexual diversity easily pathologized? Why is it that there is not a single published study that sex addiction treatment makes a difference and yet treatment centers are growing in number at an alarming rate? Why are we abandoning people within a moral or social crisis, by focusing on things like a supposed pornography public health crisis? Are we aware that gay and bi men are three times as likely to be called “sex addicts?” Are we aware that the American Psychiatric Association has rejected the language of “sex addiction” for 40 years? Are we talking about the importance of sex education and regular dialogue? How can we help people explore morality in their sexuality as adults? How do we incorporate religious beliefs in ways that allow for normative sexuality? Dr. David Ley is a clinical psychologist in practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Ole Miss, and his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Ley is the Executive Director of New Mexico Solutions, a large outpatient mental health and substance abuse program in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Ley has been treating sexuality issues throughout his career. He first began treating perpetrators and victims of sexual abuse, but expanded his approach to include the fostering and promotion of healthy sexuality, and awareness of the wide range of normative sexual behaviors. Insatiable Wives: Women Who Stray and the Men Who Love Them is his first book and won a Silver Medal in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year contest for 2009. Dr. Ley wrote Insatiable Wives following two years of interviews with couples around the country. His controversial second book, The Myth of Sex Addiction was released in March 2012. Resources mentioned during the podcast: by Christian Joyal ) published three studies on sex addiction, demonstrating that alleged sex addicts have as much (or as little) sexual self-control as anyone else, and that the identity of sex addict is predicated by a religious upbringing. published a review of the paucity of outcome data on sex addiction treatment in Current Addiction Reports. /episode/index/show/healingsols/id/17662946

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 19: Exploring Low Female Sexual Desire Part 1 (Refurbished Content) 01/09/2021

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 19: Exploring Low Female Sexual Desire Part 1 (Refurbished Content) This podcast episode was originally recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" Podcast. It's now being refurbished for your enjoyment here at the "Healing Sols Podcast." For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit . Natasha Helfer Parker interviews on one of the most common complaints that get brought to sex therapists: low female sexual desire. Gina shares years of experience where she helps us ask pivotal questions to break this construct apart. What is it that we desire? Do women give themselves permission to experience pleasure? Gina instructs on her 4-dimensional model approach to what she calls the Integrative Wheel of Sexual Experience – where we delve into Body, Mind, Heart and Spirit. Walking through these four dimensions is an approach that allows one to take a holistic approach to such things as libido or erotic differences in partnerships. Gina has agreed to return to Mormon Sex Info for a “part 2” of this in-depth conversation of what it means to delve into the erotic space of desire. Gina Ogden is an award-winning sex therapist, family therapist, researcher, teacher, and author. She is founder of the Relational Sexuality Network, an international collaboration of practitioners whose mission is to expand the practice of therapy and sex therapy beyond limiting notions of function and dysfunction to include a wide range of diversity and experience. She conducts retreats and trainings internationally, lectures widely, leads tele-seminars attended by professionals all over the world, and has appeared in the media from talk radio to the Oprah Winfrey Show. She supervises and trains sex therapists, physicians, nurses, social workers, family therapists, and other health providers in the Four-Dimensional Wheel approach, to broaden their understanding of sexual experience. She conducted the only nationwide survey on integrating sexuality and spirituality. She is the author of ten books so far. Her most recent books for a general readership (all published by Trumpeter) are: The Return of Desire (2008) and The Heart & Soul of Sex (2006). The 3rd edition of Women Who Love Sex, was published in 2007. Her books for a professional readership (all published by Routledge) are: Expanding the Practice of Sex Therapy: An Integrative Model for Exploring Desire and Intimacy, (2012) and Extraordinary Sex Therapy: Creative Approaches for Clinician (2015)—an edited collection of innovative and creative approaches from colleagues in the US and the UK. Her 4-D Wheel workbook for clinicians is : Exploring Desire & Intimacy: Innovative Approaches, Practical Applications–due in September, 2016. Links to resources that are covered during the podcast: – Poster graciously offered by Gina Ogden by Gina Ogden Exploring Desire & Intimacy: Innovative Approaches, Practical Applications (due out in September of 2016) Kristin Hodson of the Healing Group and author of by Riane Eisler /episode/index/show/healingsols/id/17476949

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 18: Sexual Education for Children (Refurbished Content) 01/01/2021

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 18: Sexual Education for Children (Refurbished Content) This podcast episode was originally recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" Podcast. It's now being refurbished for your enjoyment here at the "Healing Sols Podcast." For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Alisha Worthington, SSW, a sexual educator, on the topic of providing healthy sexual education to our pre-adolescent children. How do we approach sexuality of children without projecting our own adult sensibilities? What do we teach about sexuality without even realizing it? What are the best ways to respond to things like masturbation/self-touch, pornography viewing, and experiences such as “playing doctor?” How do we talk to our kids about their body parts? How do we teach protective stances and boundaries, especially when it comes to the potential of child sexual abuse? How do we avoid shaming/fear-based sex education and embrace pleasure-based sex education, even when we want to reinforce concepts such as consent, appropriate boundaries and the risks associated with sexuality? And much more…. Alisha Worthington is an LDS Sexual Educator and has contributed to many media resources such as: FamilyShare.com and The Deseret News. She has been a regular contributor on the Radio From Hell show on x96 taking live calls on sex and intimacy and has been a guest on KUTV 2 morning news. She is an educator, group facilitator, and coach for The Healing Group, where she offers many workshops and services regarding women’s health and sexuality, and co-author of the book Real Intimacy: A Couple’s Guide to Healthy, Genuine Sexuality. She is also a member of the Mormon Mental Health Association. Links to resources that are covered during the podcast: Elizabeth Smart Foundation: Mission focused on preventing and stopping predatory crimes. Yes! You can talk to your kids about sex by Kristin Hodson and Alisha Worthington A Parent’s Guide an LDS Manual Teaching Youths in the 21st Century by Elder M. Russell Ballard The Naked People in Your iPod by Paul Malan Where Willie Went by Nicholas Allan It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health by Robbie Harris and Michael Emberley For Goodness Sex by Al Vernacchio /episode/index/show/healingsols/id/17382764

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 17: Premature Ejaculation 101 (Refurbished Content) 12/25/2020

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 17: Premature Ejaculation 101 (Refurbished Content) This podcast episode was originally recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" Podcast. It's now being refurbished for your enjoyment here at the "Healing Sols Podcast." For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Shannon Hickman, LCSW, CST, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, on the topic of understanding premature (or early or rapid) ejaculation. What is the diagnostic criteria for PE? Do people know how long most sexual experiences last? What types of myths and misconceptions abound about sexual expectations and what it means to have a successful sexual encounter that affect people’s perspective about penile performance? What contributes to PE? What types of treatment can be helpful for PE? What role can the spouse play in treatment? What role does physiology play versus psychology? Shannon Hickman is a licensed clinical social worker with 12 years of experience in a variety of disciplines. She has worked in a variety of group and individual settings, including hospitals, clinics, and drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and now runs a private practice in Murray, Utah. Shannon is focused on individual and couples counseling as well as sex therapy. She received her undergraduate degree in 2004 in social work from the University of Utah and went on to receive her masters degree in social work in 2006 from Rutger’s University. Links to resources that are covered during the podcast: DSM 5 International Society for Sexual Medicine She Comes First: The Thinking Man’s Guide to Pleasuring a Woman by Ian Kerner Guide to Getting It On by Paul Joannides Stephanie Buehler author of Sex, Love and Mental Illness: A Couple’s Guide to Staying Connected and A Heart-Pounding Guide to Passionate Sex Sensate Focus Sensate Focus Exercise: Non-Sexual Intimacy Flesh Light Product (some may find this site offensive) Coping with Premature Ejaculation: How to Overcome PE, Please Your Partner and Have Great Sex by Barry McCarthy and Michael Metz /episode/index/show/healingsols/id/17327642

It's a sex toy Christmas! 12/23/2020

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 16: The Teachings of Dr. David Schnarch with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife 12/20/2020

Solutions Focused Tip - 5: "Protective Intimacy" 12/12/2020

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 15: Neuroscience and "Sex/Porn Addiction" (Refurbished Content) 12/09/2020

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 15: Neuroscience and "Sex/Porn Addiction" (Refurbished Content) This podcast episode was originally recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" Podcast. It's now being refurbished for your enjoyment here at the "Healing Sols Podcast." For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit . Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Richard and Lawrence Siegel, in the continuing discussion of why the framing of sexual issues as addiction is problematic. What are the neurological/medical explanations currently taking place within the sexual field? What are the diagnostic implications? What is the research that has been happening for the last 20 years on these issues? Is research interpreted and applied correctly? What do many of the terms being thrown around even mean? And can evidence-based/peer-reviewed research truly be found to support the addiction model for treating sexual problems? What happens when we look at our sexual behavior from the lens of it being broken, and even diseased? How does this affect such things as personal and relational trust? What are some of the issues that we should be talking or concerned about when it comes to sexual functioning? How should we treat and address sexual problems if we are not going to use an addiction model? Richard and Lawrence Siegel will be presenting at the University of Utah on April 22, 2016 for a training hosted by the Mormon Mental Health Association called: Challenging the Sex Addiction Model (meant for mental health practitioners but offering a rate for the general public). The Siegels often refer to recently took sharing their concerns for the high frequency of sex addiction treatment being used to treat either unwanted sexual behavior (usually due to religious values) or sexual dysfunction within the Mormon population: Position on “Sex/Porn Addiction.” Richard M. Siegel, LMHC, CST is a Florida-licensed Mental Health Counselor, Director of the , a Florida Board Certified Sex Therapist and Qualified Supervisor, and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Supervisor of Sex Therapy, and Provider of Continuing Education. He has a rich experiential background, including over 20 years as a sexuality educator and fifteen years in private sex therapy practice. In addition to his private practice in Boca Raton, Florida, Mr. Siegel is an adjunct faculty member at Palm Beach State College and enjoys a national reputation as a respected trainer, supervisor and conference presenter. Lawrence Siegel, MA, CSE is a Clinical Sexologist and sexuality education consultant. He is the founder and serves on the Board of Directors of Sage Institute for Family Development, a non-profit training and counseling center in Florida. Larry sits on the faculties of several colleges, universities and training institutions, and is nationally recognized as a leader in the fields of sexuality, sexual development, sexual pharmacology, and medical sexology. Links to resources that are covered during the podcast: of the University of Minnesota : TED Talk by Johann Hari : From Sex Addiction to Sex Positivity featuring Joe Kort Marty Klein author of Raven James author of Russell Stambaugh, author of the blog: /episode/index/show/healingsols/id/17085809

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 14: Female Genital Pain 101 (Refurbished Content) 12/02/2020

Solutions Focused Tip - 4: "Cyclical Safety" 11/29/2020

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 13: A Transgender Coming Out Story with Mandy Lynn Danzig 11/22/2020

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 12: Claiming Our Sexual Identity (Refurbished Content) 11/17/2020

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 11: Nuance in considering Late Term Abortion with Analiesa Leonhardt, Nurse/Midwife 11/13/2020

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 10: Sex Addiction to Sex Positivity (Refurbished Content) 11/10/2020

Healing Sols Podcast | Ep 10: Sex Addiction to Sex Positivity (Refurbished Content) This podcast episode was originally recorded for "Mormon Sex Info" Podcast. It's now being refurbished for your enjoyment here at the "Healing Sols Podcast." For more from Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST, CSTS, please visit . Natasha Helfer Parker interviews , an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist on his latest Psychology Today article called, Why I am No Longer a Sex-Addiction Therapist (a great follow up to Episode 1: Porn Addiction: Is it Real?). They cover a wide range of topics, including: What is the history of the sex addiction model? Why (at least initially) can this model be helpful? What are some of the reasons why the sex addiction model does not offer long-term success for many? How do we go about defining and treating out of control sexual behavior? What role does past trauma play? What role does sexual shaming play? What role does secrecy play? What is the difference between secrecy and privacy? What role do other mental health diagnoses play? How do we go about supporting and defining healthy sexuality? How do we make room for our own and our spouse’s erotic interests? How do we deal with the tension between religious values/teachings and the sexual desires/tastes/fantasies an individual or couple are experiencing? Be aware that Dr. Kort shares some frank clinical examples from his practice that include some sexual details. Dr. Joe Kort is a leading expert on sex and relationships. He specializes in Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviors, Relationship Problems and Marital Conflict, Sex Therapy, and Sexual Identity Concerns, Depression, Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. His practice is located in Royal Oak, Michigan but he welcomes clients from all over the Metro Detroit area. Dr. Kort is also available for long-distance coaching and consultation. Dr. Kort graduated from Michigan State University with dual majors in Psychology and Social Work. At Wayne State University, he earned his Master’s in Social Work (MSW), then a Master’s (MA) in Psychology, and has received his Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Clinical Sexology from the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists (AACS). More about Dr. Kort: Teaching Faculty at University of Michigan Sexual Health Certificate Program Certified IMAGO Relationship Therapist Board Certified Sexologist Member of the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) Member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers Member of the National Association of Certified Social Workers Certified AASECT Therapist, Supervisor of Sex Therapy and Member of American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) Member of EMDRIA Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training Licensed Clinical Social Worker He has been featured in Huffington Post Live & Huffington Post, Psychology Today, The New York Times, and Woman’s Day. Links to resources that are covered during the podcast: by Douglas Braun-Harvey & Michael Vigorito by Jack Morin (might include material and images that some within the LDS population would not feel comfortable with) (might include material and images that some within the LDS population would not feel comfortable with) Approach /episode/index/show/healingsols/id/16672946