My friend Eric Hales (a highly recommended therapist, gay, mid-30s, former Latter-day Saint, licensed in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Virginia) joins us to talk about his work supporting the queer and Latter-day Saint community. Eric starts by sharing some of his story and then talks about key concepts that promote healing, including:Creating safetyHealing from woundsSelf-compassionAddressing shame-based trauma and C-PTSDWhat to look for in a therapistUnderstanding and addressing numbing behaviorsThis is one of the finest and most insightful podcasts we’ve done with a therapist. I learned so much from Eric. If you want to better understand how a therapist can help you (or others), want better tools to support others, or are queer and looking for more hope, self-love, and healing, please listen to Eric’s podcast and share it with others. This is the kind of episode I wish I had heard before becoming a parent and a local church leader. When we know better, we do better.Thank you, Eric, for being on the podcast and for your work to help others find hope, healing, and peace. Your work is so needed in our community.Links:Eric’s e-mail: ericjhales@gmail.comEric’s practice: https://meetmonarch.com/therapist/eric-jeffrey-hales-lcsw-murray-utMore about Eric: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/eric-hales-murray-ut/936761

Facebook Group to support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143