Marriage on a Tightrope

James Ott joins the program to discuss the Word of Wisdom.  James uses his expertise in addiction recovery to help us understand the issue from a clinical perspective.  He also walks through a brief history of the Word of Wisdom.

Here is James’ bio in his own words as found on the Red Willow Counseling website

“I started my professional career in 1993 working with chronically mentally ill persons in a community mental health center in Portland, Oregon. I received my Master’s of Social Work degree in 1997 from New Mexico State University, whereupon I worked in a number of mental health agencies providing help to individuals and their families in crisis, providing services to the homeless, and connecting people with HIV/AIDS to health resources. After moving back to Utah, I was employed with the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) as a clinical social worker. I worked at UNI for 10 years providing assessments, utilization review, individual and family counseling, group therapy, and case management. I worked for the last 4 years on the medical detox unit; specifically helping people through the detox process, providing education to family members about addiction and treatment, and setting up appropriate services for when they discharge. I was the daily psychotherapy group facilitator and also the point therapist for the Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT) clinic. At UNI I was able to gain understanding and skills in working with people with a wide variety of mental illness, which increased my competency and compassion for all those whose lives are impacted by mental illness and addiction.

Since 2010 I have contracted my services with a medical drug and alcohol detox center and an addiction treatment facility. I was also recruited as the Clinical Director for a startup substance abuse residential treatment center (drug and alcohol rehab), where I created the clinical programming, authorization procedures to secure payment from insurance companies; and the policy and procedure for the day to day operations–including managing the patient medications. I also supervised all clinical and frontline staff. My most recent endeavor was to write and review all policy and procedure for several local residential treatment centers and take them through the steps necessary to receive Joint Commission accreditation.

I started my private practice in 2000 which is my main passion. In this, I am able to support people directly in getting well. I enjoy working with people individually and with their families in identifying unhealthy patterns and changing them. As part of this, I provide education about addiction and mental illness to individuals and families as well as church clergy, to strengthen the family and stop enabling and co-dependent actions, however well intentioned.

I also provide services as an interventionist, working with families to assist a loved one to receive treatment for substance abuse or process addictions, whether in residential care or outpatient groups. I am trained in the ARISE invitational intervention model; which has been clinically proven to be the most effective method for having an addicted person admit and complete treatment. I am also well connected to local substance abuse treatment programs, and network with a number of national referral sources to help people identify the most appropriate treatment program for the addicted person.”

The post Marriage on a Tightrope: 076: Word of Wisdom Part 3 (James Ott) appeared first on Marriage on a Tightrope.

On this episode, Kattie and Allan sit down with their 8 year old daughter Zara.  They discuss why she wants to be baptized, why she wants Allan to perform the baptism, and mostly gives one word answers….which is understandable for an 8 year old!

There are still spots left in our 6 week online course “Workshop on a Tightrope”.  The first session is Tuesday July 28th.  Pre-register for a discount and bonus masterclass on Sex and Intimacy.

Search “Workshop on a Tightrope” on Eventbrite or follow this link for details.

The post Marriage on a Tightrope: 075: Zara Mount (Baptism Part 1) appeared first on Marriage on a Tightrope.

Allan and Kattie talk in detail about their experience with the Word of Wisdom.  They cover their experience, share lessons learned, and discuss some of the tools that couples can use to negotiate the Word of Wisdom.

Many of the tools shared come from our “Workshop on a Tightrope”, a 6-week online course taught by Natasha Helfer Parker, Allan and Kattie.  Pre-registration for the course is open now until June 11th at eventbrite.com.

Those that register before June 11th receive $30 off the course, and will receive the additional Sex and Intimacy Masterclass at no additional charge.

The post Marriage on a Tightrope: 074: Word of Wisdom (Part 2) appeared first on Marriage on a Tightrope.

In this first of three episodes on the Word of Wisdom, Allan and Kattie are joined by Bret & Rachel Cooper, Ryan & Jessica Magnusson, and Astrid & Aaron Holland.  We explore how each of these four couples have handled the Word of Wisdom in their mixed faith marriage.

Part 2 will be an in depth look into how Allan and Kattie’s experience with the Word of Wisdom

Part 3 Allan and Kattie will be joined by therapist James to round out our discussion from a clinical perspective.

The second Workshop on a Tightrope is now open for pre-registration!  Go to Eventbrite.com and search for Workshop on a Tightrope to hold your spot for our July/August workshop with Natasha Helfer Parker.

The post Marriage on a Tightrope: 073: Word of Wisdom (Part 1) appeared first on Marriage on a Tightrope.

Chelsea and Danny Anderson tell their story as a mixed faith couple.  Chelsea shared a recent talk she gave in Sacrament meeting in its entirety.

The post Marriage on a Tightrope: 072: Chelsea and Danny Anderson appeared first on Marriage on a Tightrope.

Join Kattie and Allan as they discuss how things have been for them during the quarantine.  They discuss General Conference, Easter, and have some words of wisdom for Mixed Faith Marriages during these stressful, lockdown days.

The post Marriage on a Tightrope: 070: Quarantine Update appeared first on Marriage on a Tightrope.

On a very special episode of Marriage on a Tightrope, Allan sits down with his mother Elaine.  They discuss Elaine’s upbringing, history with the church, and her experience with 4 of her children leaving the church in a span of 12 months.

The post Marriage on a Tightrope: 069: Elaine Mount appeared first on Marriage on a Tightrope.

Kattie and Allan join with Natasha Helfer Parker to provide a free mini class on Mixed Faith Marriage.  This also served as a final preview of our online 6 week mixed faith marriage course, Workshop on a Tightrope.  This was streamed live and contains questions and comments from live listeners.

We hope everyone is doing well during these crazy times!

If you would like to sign up for Workshop on a Tightrope, you can register here.

The post Marriage on a Tightrope: 068: Free Mixed Faith Marriage Mini Class appeared first on Marriage on a Tightrope.

Sometimes our episodes are more of an update about where we are at, as opposed to an episode with laid out advice.  This is one of those episodes.  Kattie discusses her anxiety going into conference and her decision to face Conference head on, instead of escaping on yet another Disney trip….not that that’s an option right now!

Venmo: Marriageonatightrope

Sign up for Workshop on a Tightrope our 6 week Mixed Faith Marriage online course with MFT Natasha Helfer Parker

The post Marriage on a Tightrope: 067: Facing Conference Head On appeared first on Marriage on a Tightrope.