The Natasha Helfer Podcast

Please note: This episode has been updated to reflect a minor edit made after the initial relase.   On this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast, one of Natasha's providers, Sara Rands, ACMHC, joins to discuss her journey with a chronic illness and how that affects intimacy. She’s Master Certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a brain-based therapy that clears stuck emotional patterns without the need to relive painful stories. Her approach blends structure and soul: existential therapy, mindfulness, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), and current training in the NARM model for complex trauma. Sara works especially well with gifted, neurodiverse, and highly sensitive clients—analytical minds, deep thinkers, and those who’ve always moved through life a little differently. She brings lived wisdom from cancer survivorship, spiritual transitions, and parenting spectrum kids. With a background in both computer science and English, she offers a calm, curious, and focused presence and a rare ability to hold emotional complexity without simplifying it. Go here for more on Sara: https://symcounseling.com/sara-rands/   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services. There are also several upcoming workshops. Visit natashahelfer.com or symcounseling.com to find out more.

Colleen Johnston joins Natasha on this episode of The Natasha Helfer Podcast. Colleen Johnston is a mother of nine whose life journey spans the extremes of Mormon orthodoxy and radical self-liberation. Raised in both conservative Utah and rural Maine, Colleen was shaped by the rigid expectations of purity culture and the deep shame often instilled by religious teachings around sexuality. After surviving public shaming, sexual trauma, addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, she returned to the Church and immersed herself in its teachings—only to later confront disturbing truths about its history and leave it behind for good. For nearly two decades, she facilitated addiction recovery meetings and lived with unrelenting devotion to Church doctrine. Today, Colleen has left the Mormon church and is an advocate for body autonomy, open sexual education, and parenting without shame. Her story is one of painful transformation, reclamation of self, and fierce love for her queer, gender-fluid, and unapologetically authentic children.   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services. There are also several upcoming workshops. Visit natashahelfer.com or symcounseling.com to find out more.

Carolee and Britton Beckham join Natasha on this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast. Both Carolee and Britton are 6th generation Mormons. Married in this high demand relgion, infidelity became a challenge for them to navigate. As they used the process of the church, they found that it miserably failed to help them heal. This was the necessary catalyst that propelled them to leave the church and find their own healing and spiritual connection.  For more on the Beckhams, visit their website: https://subscribepage.io/themagicalstoryofus   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services.

Dr. Stefani Goerlich joins Natasha on this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast to discuss her new book, "With Sprinkles on Top: Everything Vanilla People and Their Kinky Partners Need to Know to Communicate, Explore, and Connect." Stefani is a Forensic Sexologist and Clinical Social Worker who has been recognized as one of the world's leading experts in working with Gender, Relationship, and Sexuality Diversities.  In the past, Stefani has worked with high-risk young people, adolescents with problematic sexual behaviors, pediatric and adult survivors of sexual trauma,  commercial sex workers, and survivors of human trafficking. She is currently in private practice in Metro Detroit, Michigan, where she offers Sex, Relationship and Mental Health therapy to members of the GSRD community, their partners, and their families.  Go here for more on Stefani and to find her books: https://www.stefanigoerlich.com   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services.

Natasha is joined by Mark Cusack in this episode of The Natasha Helfer Podcast. They discuss all things "fluid".  Mark Cusack (he/they) is a Scottish author, lecturer, content creator and coach specialising in supporting people with complex, fluid or undefined sexuality or gender. He runs the online platform @notdefining which provides information about the less recognised parts of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Mark gives seminars for trainee psychotherapists and is an expert consultant for several LGBTQ+ organisations. He also runs an online mentoring group on Patreon. He was formerly LGBTQ+ representative for the UK Civil Service, representing over half a million employees. Mark identifies as fluid in his sexuality and gender, and is a member of the autistic community. He now lives in Liverpool where he enjoys walks by the river and spending time with his community. Mark's new book can be found at: Fluid: A Guide for People with Flexible Sexuality by Mark Cusack: https://amzn.to/42D0h1h   A book referenced in this episode includes:   Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women’s Love and Desire by  Lisa M Diamond:  https://amzn.to/44qz0S5     To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services.

Paula Leech joins Natasha on this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast to discuss her book, "Overcoming Anxiety in Sex and Relationships." "Learn how anxiety, stress, and pressure affect pleasure, connection, and sexual functioning. This book explores how anxiety shapes our physiology, understanding of ourselves, and our interactions with the world. Paula Leech guides readers to identify key sources of anxiety — from family and culture to relationship dynamics and sexual trauma. "Offering practical tips and techniques, Leech encourages readers to rethink their definitions of sex, sexuality, and intimacy. Through mindfulness and embodiment exercises, she provides tools to release tension, work through sexual struggles, and reconnect with the body. "Accessible and comprehensive, this guide is ideal for sex therapists and anyone facing anxiety-related challenges with themselves and/or their partners." For more on Paula and to order her book, go here: https://www.paulaleech.com/book   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services.

Allan and Kattie Mount join this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast to chat about handling mixed faith marriages. Allan and Kattie are behind the "Marriage on a Tightrope" podcast and have an upcoming workshop with Natasha.    To join the workshop, go to:   tightropemarriage.com   Then select "Join our Workshop" in the top right.   The 6-week workshop starts April 6th via Zoom and will run every Sunday from 7pm-9pm (except Mother's Day and Easter), with a 7th optional week on sexuality. The sessions will be recorded and you can watch after.   For questions, feel free to email: marriageonatightrope@gmail.com    In this episode, Natsha, Allan and Kattie dive deep into the complexities of mixed faith marriages. From their personal journey to actionable strategies, they offer support and insight for couples navigating differing beliefs within their relationships including: 1. Mixed Faith Marriage Challenges Faith Transition: Allan shares his transition from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while Kattie remained a believing member. They open up about how this shift led to imbalances and tension in their relationship. Lack of Resources: With limited support available early in their journey, they created Marriage on a Tightrope to fill the gap for other couples. Sunday Struggles: They candidly discuss how Sundays became a flashpoint for conflict around church attendance and family activities. Loss of Spiritual Intimacy: The absence of shared spiritual practices created distance, forcing them to find new ways to connect. 2. Strategies & Resources for Mixed Faith Marriages Marriage on a Tightrope Workshop A 7-week course (6 required sessions + 1 optional Q&A) designed for couples navigating mixed faith dynamics. Topics include communication strategies, building trust, parenting approaches, and managing spiritual differences. Next Workshop Starts: Sunday, April 6th | 7–9 PM MST Format: Live Zoom sessions + recordings available for flexibility. Register: tightropemarriage.org (Click "Join our workshop") Communication Techniques Soft Start: Initiate conversations gently to avoid defensiveness. Own Your Role: Recognize and take responsibility in moments of conflict. Express Emotions: Open up to foster empathy and deeper understanding. Emotional Regulation: Tools to stay grounded and manage physiological reactions during tough discussions. Parenting in a Mixed Faith Marriage Encourage your children’s autonomy in their spiritual journey. Balance your expectations with respect for your child's beliefs. Explore diverse rituals that honor both parents' perspectives. Resource Highlight: Uplift Kids for value-based, non-religious lessons. 3. Personal Stories & Experiences Allan & Kattie reflect on their own mixed faith journey, particularly around parenting and Sundays. Natasha Helfer shares a heartfelt story about her teenage son’s choice to attend church as a way to connect with his late father, underscoring the importance of safe, open family environments.   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services.

Natsha is joined by Camden Morgante on this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast to discuss her book, "Recovering from Purity Culture". Camden is a licensed psychologist, coach, speaker, and author and her mission is to help folks heal their faith, sexuality, and relationships from toxic beliefs. To find out more about Camden, you can visit her webiste: drcamden.com   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services.

Natasha is joined by Dr. Mark Gregory Karris to discuss his book, "Diabolical Trinity: Healing Religious Trauma from a Wrathful God, Tormenting Hell, and a Sinful Self". Dr. Mark Gregory Karris is a licensed marriage and family therapist in full-time private practice in San Diego, California. He specializes in religious trauma, men’s issues, and couples therapy. He is a frequent workshop presenter and the author of several books, including "The Diabolical Trinity: Healing Religious Trauma from a Wrathful God, Tormenting Hell, and a Sinful Self" and "Beyond Fairy Tales: A Couple's Guide to Finding Clarity, Doing the Work, and Building a Lasting Relationship." For more on Dr. Karris, including purchasing his books, you can visit his website: https://markgregorykarris.com   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services.

Angie Millet joins Natasha on this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast. They discuss current events happening at BYU. For more on Angie Millet, MSW Intern: https://symcounseling.com/angie-millet/   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha’s channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services.