Natasha Helfer, the sex therapist who lost her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last week, won’t go out without a fight.
A day after receiving a letter explaining the reasons for her removal from her former stake (regional) president in Kansas, where she lived before moving to Utah in 2019, Helfer sent in her own letter — an appeal addressed to President Russell M. Nelson and members of the governing First Presidency.
In the appeal, which was shared in a Facebook post, Helfer said: “I am sad that the council decided to proceed not only without me being able to personally share my thoughts in my defense, but also without being willing to meet with the 6 witnesses that had been approved prior to the council.”
In a recent interview with FOX 13, Helfer said she doesn’t regret anything, and that she will continue her therapy practice.
Helfer supports same-sex marriage, counsels that masturbation is not a sin, and insists that viewing pornography should not be treated as an addiction. Hundreds of members of the therapeutic community support Helfer’s professional work, saying it is in line with current mental health practices. They also warned that withdrawing her church membership could “create a culture of stigma and shame” and prevent clients from seeking therapy.
“The only time I am critical of the church and its leaders and doctrine is when I see harm as a mental health professional,” Helfer told FOX 13.
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