3 CES: APA, NBCC, CA, AND BRN APPROVED!
Faith Transitions
Instructors: Natasha Helfer, LCMFT, CST-S & John Dehlin, Ph.D
This course will delve into the challenges therapists face and skills they need when assisting clients navigating faith transitions. As more individuals disengage from religious affiliations nationally, the process of shifting beliefs and distancing from faith communities is becoming more prevalent. The consequences are vast, including the unraveling of personal and communal identities, conflicts with family, social isolation, and what has been historically termed as "the dark night of the soul."
Therapists may encounter various presentations when working with individuals undergoing faith transitions. These may encompass identifying characteristics of the transition, managing associated emotions and expectations, promoting authenticity, redefining values and life's meaning, and aiding in the creation of a new sense of normalcy. Providing a supportive and validating environment, addressing personal biases, and understanding countertransference are crucial for mental health professionals to effectively serve these clients.
Respecting clients' values and beliefs while upholding professional standards and navigating personal biases, whether religious or secular, are essential components of individual counseling, particularly in a country with deep-rooted Christian traditions like the United States. Being adept at honoring clients' cultural and religious contexts ensures a comprehensive approach to their well-being.
Why Should You Take This Course?
Religion and spirituality are powerful aspects of the human experience and should not be ignored during mental health treatment. Religious disaffiliation, or going through a faith transition, is a life change that can affect an individual’s life in profound ways. A transition of belief may leave an individual experiencing fear, guilt, sorrow, pain, loss and even suffering on an existential level. There may also be severe social ramifications. These experiences can have serious implications for one’s well-being and health. However, life after religious disaffiliation also includes many positive aspects, such as experiences of joy, freedom, relief, gratitude and empowerment.
Research consistently shows that religion and spirituality are considered important factors in many people's lives, including when they are going through a deconversion process. People prefer when clinicians are comfortable and unbiased in discussing these important shifts in their lives..
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS:
Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CSTS
Natasha Helfer LMFT, CST-S, received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University and her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University.
She also received her certifications as a sex therapist and sex therapist supervisor from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).
Helfer is a speaker, writer, and podcaster with 23 years of clinical experience primarily working with a Mormon clientele around issues of relational health, faith transitions and journeys, and sexuality. She writes a blog called "The Mormon Therapist," and hosts the podcasts "Mormon Mental Health," and "Mormon Sex Info."
Helfer has authored two books: “One Family, Two Views” (mixed-faith marriage) and “Check your Baggage” (challenging sex negative messages). Helfer has presented all over the country both in professional and public settings, has been invited as a guest speaker at several national and international events as well as been interviewed on a variety of podcasts, TV news programs and newspapers.
Helfer was recently excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormon church) for issues surrounding her advocacy for sexual health.
She also received her certifications as a sex therapist and sex therapist supervisor from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).
Helfer is a speaker, writer, and podcaster with 23 years of clinical experience primarily working with a Mormon clientele around issues of relational health, faith transitions and journeys, and sexuality. She writes a blog called "The Mormon Therapist," and hosts the podcasts "Mormon Mental Health," and "Mormon Sex Info."
Helfer has authored two books: “One Family, Two Views” (mixed-faith marriage) and “Check your Baggage” (challenging sex negative messages). Helfer has presented all over the country both in professional and public settings, has been invited as a guest speaker at several national and international events as well as been interviewed on a variety of podcasts, TV news programs and newspapers.
Helfer was recently excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormon church) for issues surrounding her advocacy for sexual health.
John Dehlin, Ph.D.
Dr. John Dehlin is a podcaster, non-profit CEO, activist, public speaker, and religious transitions
coach. He is an expert in understanding and supporting people experiencing religious faith crises/
transitions. John has a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in Clinical and
Counseling Psychology. His clinical training and research interests revolve around the nexus of
religion and mental health, with an emphasis on navigating religious faith crises, as well as navigating
the LGBTQ/religious identity conflict. John’s research has been published in numerous peer
reviewed scientific journals. John owns a private coaching practice, also focusing on religion and
mental health. John is the founder of Mormon Stories Podcast, the most popular and longest
running podcast within Mormonism. He is also the co-host of The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis
podcast. He is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Open Stories Foundation, a 501c3
non-profit whose mission is to “To promote understanding, healing, growth, and community for
people experiencing or impacted by religious transition.” For more information on John visit
www.johndehlin.com. He can be reached at drjohndehlin@gmail.com
LearnReligionTherapy.com by
The Buehler Institute
