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

Working with Religiously Conservative LGBTQ+ Clients

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

Instructors: Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CST-S, with panelists Colette Dalton, LCSW, and Kimberly Anderson, AMFT

Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CST-S is joined by two therapists to help us understand the pressures faced by LGBTQ+ clients who are raised in, practice, or exit high demand religions. 

Helfer was recently ex-communicated from the Mormon church for her affirming views of sexual minorities.  She is joined by Colette Dalton, LCSW, a lesbian ex-Mormon and Kimberly Anderson, AMFT, a transgender ex-Mormon, who will share their both their personal and clinical experiences of the effects of conservative religion on sexual/gender minorities.

Helfer is a dynamic presenter and she has carefully selected various media clips to share examples of bias, stereotyping, and discrimination.  The commentary by the three presenters is insightful and affirms what the research tells us about LGBTQ+ folx and the need for understanding and support by mental health professionals.







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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
*Up to 2 hours of CEs may be applied towards ethics requirements for the purposes of license renewal or AASECT certification.

Level of Instruction: Intermediate, Post-Graduate

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. Ethically approach 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 ethical treatment approaches and strategies that can help support this population. 

Why Should You Take This Course?

  • Religion and sexuality
  • Expert panelists on religious issues faced by LGBTQ+ 
  • Issues specific to the transgender population
  • Increase competence
  • Become affirmative
  • AASECT, APA, NBCC & CA BRN credit

Learn What's Important

Three experts with lived experience--one cisgender heterosexual woman, one lesbian woman, and one transgender woman--who have all had their identities impacted by conservative religion share what they know in a panel format.

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 cope with tensions between their faith and their sexuality.  Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CST-S generously shares her knowledge and clinical experience to help you become competent with this population.
Meet the instructorS

Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CSTS

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.
Patrick Jones - Course author
Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the instructor

Colette Dalton, LCSW

Colette Dalton received her bachelor's degree in Marriage, Family and Human Development and her Masters in Social Work, both from Brigham Young University and has worked in mental health for over a decade. She has worked extensively with college students, young adults, and adults with a wide variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, and trauma. As a queer woman who grew up Mormon, she has a special interest in working with people at the intersection of spirituality and sexuality. She is on the Leadership Collective of the LGBTQ+ Affirmative Psychotherapist Guild of Utah and also co-hosts the "Called to Queer" podcast. You can connect with her on Instagram or Facebook
Meet the instructor

Kimberly Anderson, AMFT

Kimberly Anderson, AMFT, is a self-actualized woman who has made the change from living for 45 years as a Mormon man to living openly as a woman. Before her transition, she lived, worked, and thrived for decades as a spouse, parent of two children, faithful Mormon, professional photographer, and university professor (BYU, UVU, Snow College). Kimberly has a BA and an MFA from Utah State University, has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally as a professional photographer, and has work in various collections throughout the Intermountain West. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University, Snow College and Utah Valley University. She is the founder/photographer for the Mama Dragons Story Project and is featured regularly in online podcasts including on Mormon Stories Podcast.
Patrick Jones - Course author

LearnSexTherapy.com by
The Buehler Institute

The Buehler Institute was created to provide the highest quality training in human sexuality for mental health professionals and healthcare providers. Its founder, Dr. Stephanie Buehler, is a licensed psychologist and author of a bestselling sex therapy textbook, among others. Our educational programs are designed to help people seeking AASECT certification in an effective and engaging format.

We are located virtually but our mailing address is:
31677 Virginia Way, #9327
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

The best way to reach us is by email:
info@learnsextherapy.com

Here is our phone number.
800-769-0342

You may receive a text message about contacting us via email when you call this number. Standard rates may apply. 
The Buehler Institute is approved as a provider of continuing education by the following agencies. Many states licensing boards will accept CEs from these agencies for license renewal. It is, however, the responsibility of the enrollee to inquire with their state licensing board.
The Buehler Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Buehler Institute maintains responsibility for all programs and their content.
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.
The Buehler Institute is an institutional provider for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT).
Provider #12-138-Q.
The Buehler Institute is approved as a continuing education provider for the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider #CEP 16394.