The Natasha Helfer Podcast

Natasha Helfer
The Natasha Helfer Podcast

Sex, Religion, and Everything in Between

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    86: "Desire" with Jennifer Vencill and Lauren Fogel Mersy

    Jennifer Vencill and Lauren Fogel Mersy join Natasha on this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast. They wrote a book, "Desire: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating Libido Differences in Relationships". "A radically inclusive, sex-positive guide to managing the inevitable libido differences in our relationships, authored by two certified sex therapists who are passionate about good sex 2024 Distinguished Book Award Winner, selected by the American Psychological Association’s Division 44" You can find the book anywhere that books are sold including on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Desire-Inclusive-Navigating-Differences-Relationships-ebook/dp/B0BN5RZBRC?ref_=ast_author_mpb   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.

    1h 4m
  2. DEC 5

    85: From LDS CES Instructor to LGBTQ+ Affirming, Life Transition Therapist

    Mike Fuller joins Natasha on this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast. Mike worked as a full-time seminary teacher of the LDS church for twenty years. He summarizes his reason to change careers as a “journey from orthodoxy to compassion”. He has found that making decisions based on values has been fulfilling. He received both his B.A in Communication and Psychology in 2002 and  M.A in Education in 2008 from Boise State University. He recently earned a Masters in Social Work from Penn West University in 2024 and is licensed in Utah as a Certified Social Worker. You can find out more about Mike at the Flourish Therapy website: https://www.flourishtherapy.org/blog-all-posts/mike-fuller/ He is also on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mike-fuller-bountiful-ut/1274156 Also, check out his blog: https://medium.com/@mikefuller.msw   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. 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.

    1h 12m
  3. NOV 27

    84: Setting Boundaries that Stick with Juliane Taylor Shore

    Juliane (Jules) Taylor Shore joins this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast. She has a new book, "Setting Boundaries that Stick: How Neurobiology can Help You Rewire Your Brain to Feel Safe, Connected, and Empowered." In her own words: I’m a therapist, author, teacher, and mom who is creating spaces where people can move into more self-compassion, self-trust, empowerment, and integrity. I regularly teach and speak to people from all around the world, and translate new understandings in neurobiology into practices that can support brain change.  I’m an integrative experiential psychotherapist, which means that I’m trained in many therapy models and I integrate them into a coherent whole. My integrative method is based on interpersonal neurobiological understandings of the mind, mental wellness, and brain change. The reason I love and favor experiential work is because the brain change that is most profound is in the changes in the Subcortical and Implicit Memory systems within the brain. In order to change, they must be activated (running with energy and information flow), and experiential modalities are best at activating the neural networks that will lead to profound shifts.   So what is experiential therapy? It’s therapy that is focused on here and now awareness of embodied experiences.   For more on Jules, you can find out more on her website: https://www.julianetaylorshore.com/about To order her book, find out more here: https://www.julianetaylorshore.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. 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.

    1h 14m
  4. NOV 14

    82: Re-Release: Exploring Low Female Sexual Desire - Part 1 with Gina Ogden

    This episode is being re-released for your enjoyement. Please enjoy the episode. Natasha Helfer interviews Dr. Gina Ogden, PhD, LMFT (August 9, 1935 – November 2, 2018) 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 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. 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: Lessons From Women Who Love Sex – Poster graciously offered by Gina Ogden The Return of Desire: A Guide to Rediscovering your Sexual Passion 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 Real Intimacy: A Couples Guide for Genuine, Healthy Sexuality The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future by Riane Eisler You can find out more on her website. 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. 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.

    1h 12m
  5. NOV 7

    81: Re-release: Neuroscience and "Sex/Porn Addiction" How to make sense of all this info

    This episode is being re-released for your enjoyement. Please enjoy the episode. Natasha Helfer 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 M. Siegel, LMHC, CST is a Florida-licensed Mental Health Counselor, Director of the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, 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 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. 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. 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.

    1h 54m
  6. OCT 31

    80: Wheel of Consent with Betty Martin

    Natasha is joined by Dr. Betty Martin to discuss consent on this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast.  The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent is based on the work of Betty Martin, over her 30+ years of working hands-on with patients, clients, and students. Over the last couple of years, she has been graciously assisted by Robyn Dalzen, who helped her get the book over the finish line.   Dr. Betty Martin has had her hands on people professionally for over 40 years, first as a Chiropractor and upon retiring from that practice,  as a certified Surrogate Partner, Sacred Intimate, and Somatic Sex Educator.  Her explorations in somatic-based therapy and practices informed her creation of the framework, The Wheel of Consent®. As part of her work with the School of Consent, Betty travels around the world teaching practitioners how to create empowered agreements in their client sessions, in her highly sought-after training “Like A Pro: The Wheel of Consent for Practitioners.”  Originally developed as an offering to teach much-needed consent skills to sex workers and touch providers, this training is now attended by somatic therapists, massage therapists, sexuality educators, medical and health care workers, activists, human resources folks and the spectrum of touch-based professional providers – all of whom complete the training with a clear understanding of how consent starts with our own bodies, and then expands outwards into all forms of human relating, with or without touch. 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. 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.

    1h 5m
  7. OCT 25

    79: Re-Release: From Sex Addiction to Sex Positivity

    This episode is being re-released for your enjoyement. Please enjoy the episode. Natasha has an upcoming group that you can sign up for: Pornography Dilemma Online Group with Natasha This group has been developed to help couples overcome the common struggles with pornography use within the marital contract. During this group, we will: Begin to deal with and repair the typical secrecy/betrayal cycles that have historically occurred in the relationship with sexual media. Understand evidence-based information about sexual media allowing well-informed decisions to be made based on science and our values instead of myths and folklore. Help couples understand the importance of balancing the need for individual autonomy and relational connection that can often feel contraindicated. Learn to move from “ownership” models of sexuality to “partnership” models of sexuality. Guide couples through agreement work based on principles of sexual and marital health (honesty, shared values, transparency, and differentiation). Begin repairing trust and building a relationship where relational, erotic sexuality can flourish if that’s what both partners want moving forward. WHEN: TUESDAYS 8 PM MT November 5, 12, 19, 26 & December 3, 10, 17 WHERE: Online Register here: https://symcounseling.com/group-registration/ or call: 1-208-391-7804 Go here for more: https://symcounseling.com/pornography-dilemma/ Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Joe Kort, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist on his latest Psychology Today article called, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/understanding-the-erotic-code/201511/why-i-am-no-longer-sex-addiction-therapist 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). 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. 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.

    1h 20m
4.5
out of 5
111 Ratings

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Sex, Religion, and Everything in Between

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