113: Helping Children have Healthy Boundaries within a Mormon Construct: Part 1

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Natasha Helfer Parker continues the series on “boundaries” that is being hosted by a panel of providers from Symmetry Solutions, who specialize on mental health and relational issues within Mormonism. This is the second segment which focuses on Primary and Nursery age children (11 and under).

We notice in our mental health work with primarily LDS clientele, that there are difficulties understanding what healthy boundaries are and look like… as well as how to implement them in a patriarchal and authoritative structure, where often people feel like boundaries have already been set for them by the system. Unfortunately, not having the ability to create healthy boundaries for oneself, one’s children, and one’s family… can contribute to issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, negative relational dynamics and even abuse. From simple things, like whether or not one feels personal permission to reject a calling, to more serious issues such as whether or not we should support children’s interviews behind closed doors where they are asked sensitive questions including about their sexuality…. this is a relevant topic to today’s Latter-day Saints. We hope you will join in the discussion through the comments section to share either things you want us to address, things you are concerned about, ways you disagree/agree with us, things that have helped you balance healthy boundaries, etc.

Those who join us in this episode are:

Lisa Butterworth specializes in women’s issues, faith transitions, sexual concerns, LGBT+ journeys, trauma, anxiety disorders, body image concerns, and depression. She offers both coaching/consultation and therapy services to individuals, couples and families. She is also the founder of Feminist Mormon Housewives.

 

Kimberly Anderson is an expert in the areas of transgender and intersex situations. She specializes in providing coaching and consultation services for those needing help with a transitioning process and helping parents of trans and intersex children. She also works extensively with individuals and families where there is an LGBTQ+ coming out process as well as those going through faith transitions due to such issues. She is the founder of the Mama Dragon Story Project.

 

 

Jen White specializes in helping people with depression, anxiety, sexuality concerns, trauma, and faith transitions/journeys.  She offers coaching/consultation and therapy services to individuals, couples and families.

 

 

Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST runs an online practice, Symmetry Solutions, which focuses on helping families and individuals with faith concerns, sexuality and mental health. She writes at The Mormon Therapist for Patheos: Hosting the Conversation of Faith, runs Mormon Sex Info and is the current president for the Mormon Mental Health Association.

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