3 CES: AASECT, APA, NBCC, and CA BRN Approved
3 Hours of CEs (Including 1 Ethics CE)
AASECT, APA, NBCC & CA BRN Approved!


Working with Mixed Orientation Marriages

 **This course builds on materials introduced in “Sex Therapy with Religiously Conservative Clients".

Instructor: Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CST-S, with panelist Joshua Weed, LMFT

In this pull-no-punches, dynamic course, Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CST-S is joined by Joshua Weed, LMFT to help us understand and assist religiously conservative clients who are in mixed orientation marriages or committed relationships.

Weed has personal experience as a having been in a mixed orientation marriage with a straight woman who has since come out as gay and is remarried to a male partner.  His story, along with his ex-wife's, was featured on "Nightline," and in this course he reflects on who he was and his life journey to accepting his sexual orientation. 

Helfer was recently ex-communicated from the Mormon church for her affirming views of sexual minorities.  She continues to work with people who are in faith transition and in the intersection of faith and sexuality and has helped countless mixed orientation couples navigate their journey.

Objectives:
  1. Be aware of some of the typical teachings that are being readily dispersed in RCC’s in regards to homosexuality and gender issues, and then identify the effects of internalized homophobia & transphobia that readily occurs for LGBTQ+ folks that are coming from RCC’s.
  2. Be able to identify some of the problematic behaviors/symptoms that LGBTQ+ folks coming from RCC’s may exhibit as ways that they have tried to cope with the discrimination they have faced. This includes both blatant and soft forms of what is called “conversion” or “reparative” therapy.
  3. Be able to identify some of the challenges an LGBTQ+ person coming from an RCC may face during the coming out process and how treatment can offer adequate and appropriate support.
  4. Be able to identity several treatment approaches and strategies that can help support this population.

Write your awesome label here.
For those seeking AASECT certification, the hours can be applied to requirements as follows:
Core Knowledge Areas:  A, C, and/or D
Sex Therapy Areas:  C and/or F

# of CEs: 3* hours

Level of Instruction: Intermediate, Post-Graduate

*Up to 1 hour of CE may be applied towards ethics requirements for the purposes of license renewal or AASECT certification.

Why Should You Take This Course?

  • Religion and sexuality
  • Issues faced by mixed orientation clients
  • Intersection of faith, love, and sexual identity 
  • Increase competence
  • Become affirmative
  • AASECT, APA, NBCC & CA BRN credit

Learn What's Important

Two experts--one a therapist with lived experience of being in a mixed orientation marriage, one an ex-communicated Mormon who has worked with people in such relationships--share their expertise in managing significant dilemmas.

Learn by Example

In addition to getting an overview of the issues faced by this population, you will learn evidence-based tools for helping clients and couples who are--or were--in mixed orientation marriages understand their identity and explore best solutions for moving forward.
Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the instructors

Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CST-S

Natasha Helfer is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist/Supervisor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with almost 25 years of experience. Her expertise lies in the intersection of conservative religious upbringings and sexuality, specifically in the area of deconstructing internalized sexual shame. She runs a group practice, Symmetry Solutions, where services focus on helping people with religious trauma, reclaiming sexual desire, mixed-faith relationships, coming out journeys, healing sexual shame or trauma, and exploring sexual authenticity. Natasha was excommunicated from the Mormon church in 2021, for her advocacy in regards to sexual health.

Natasha can be reached at natashahelfer.com. She hosts the Mormon Mental Health and Mormon Sex Info Podcasts, and is the founder and  current past president of the Mormon Mental Health Association. She has authored two books:  Check Your Baggage: Unpack the Messages Getting in the Way of Your Sex Life and One Family, Two Views: How to Fortify Your Mixed-Faith Mormon Marriage.
Meet the Panelist

Joshua Weed, LMFT

Joshua Weed, LMFT, has 10 years of experience in clinical practice. He specializes in neurodivergence work and works often with LGBTQ+ populations and members of ethic minorities. Weed co-wrote a chapter in the book Socially Just: religious and Spiritual Interventions: A Light in the Closet about a spiritually informed conceptual model for religiously derived mixed-orientation marriages. More of his writing can be found on his blog, The Weed. Weed’s personal history includes 16 years in a mixed-orientation marriage and he has 4 children. He comes from an LDS background.
Patrick Jones - Course author

Psychologists

TBI is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. TBI maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.

Counselors

The Buehler Institute has been approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. The Buehler Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

AASECT Members

TBI is approved by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists to provide continuing education units toward certification as a Sex Therapist or Counselor, Provider #12-13-Q.

Nurses

TBI is an approved provider of continuing education by the Board of Registered Nursing, provider number CEP 16394.

**We love our social worker colleagues! While we are not an approved NASW or ASWB CE provider, many state licensing will accept CEs from APA approved providers. Please check with your state licensing board for the most accurate information.