Jonathan Decker, LMFT

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: How can I make time for self-care without guilt?

September 01, 2023 06:55 AM MDT

We try to follow the Savior’s admonition to love and serve another so much that we sometimes forget that, in the commandment to “love thy neighbor as thyself,” there is an overlooked commandment to love ourselves!

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Latter-day Saint therapist: 7 principles amazing fathers practice

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

June 13, 2023 01:28 PM MDT

"In both my personal and professional opinion, my dad got this fatherhood thing pretty much figured out. Allow me to share seven fatherhood lessons that I learned from him (along with a few of my own thoughts)."

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: My husband doesn’t even try to provide for us

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

May 10, 2023 12:11 PM MDT

“My husband has been unemployed for several years, and I don’t see him making any efforts to provide for us. How can I overcome my resentment?”

7 Min Read

Feature Stories

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: I’m struggling to keep boundaries with an abuser

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

February 15, 2022 01:25 PM MST

My father was abusive to me as a child. He’s expressed remorse, but I don’t really want to be around him. He accuses me of holding a grudge. Am I in the wrong?

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

5 gospel-based ways to keep your New Year’s resolutions

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

January 05, 2022 10:00 AM MST

When it comes to self-improvement, it seems that “the spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak.” So how do we overcome weakness to fulfill our goals?

2 Min Read

Feature Stories

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: How do I manage grief while looking forward to eternity?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

March 05, 2021 03:30 PM MST

While knowledge of the plan of salvation provides comfort and hope, the absence of someone loved is deeply felt. And it’s good to feel it, even if it doesn’t feel good. How can we best manage those feelings?

4 Min Read

Feature Stories

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: What is compatibility?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

February 08, 2021 10:56 AM MST

Q: I’m single and dating to try and find my match. What does it mean to be compatible? How do I know if I’ve found a match that will last?

3 Min Read

Feature Stories

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: My ex abused our children, should I tell his bishop?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

January 22, 2021 12:00 PM MST

Editor's Note: The views, information, or opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author. Readers should consider each unique situation. This content is not meant to be a substitute for individual, professional advice.

2 Min Read

Feature Stories

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: My loved one physically hurt someone I love

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

December 31, 2020 12:00 PM MST

3 Min Read

Ask a Latter-day Saint Therapist: I'm a single female over 50 in the church and struggling with my circumstances—how can I better cope?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

November 27, 2020 12:00 PM MST

3 Min Read

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: Can I overcome my eating disorder through faith alone?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

November 13, 2020 04:25 PM MST

2 Min Read

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: How do I navigate inconsistent behavior from my spouse?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

October 30, 2020 04:22 PM MDT

5 Min Read

Recommended by Us

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: I’m a Jewish convert and some of my ward members are anti-Semitic

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

September 18, 2020 03:34 PM MDT

Q: Please tell me how I can get rid of my anger toward certain members of the ward I belong to. They told me I killed Jesus Christ because I was born and raised Jewish.

5 Min Read

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: How can I manage my anger?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

August 21, 2020 01:15 PM MDT

Editor's note: The views, information, or opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author. Readers should consider each unique situation. This content is not meant to be a substitute for individual, professional advice.

4 Min Read

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: I can’t stop looking at pornography

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

August 07, 2020 01:42 PM MDT

6 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: What does infidelity recovery look like?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

July 24, 2020 11:00 AM MDT

4 Min Read

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: Should we have attended our unmarried granddaughter’s baby shower?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

June 26, 2020 02:39 PM MDT

3 Min Read

Ask a Latter-day Saint Therapist: My relative gossips about my spouse

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

June 12, 2020 02:24 PM MDT

2 Min Read

Fun

Mormon Moviegoers: What Parents Need to Know About "The Last Jedi" Before Seeing It with Their Family

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

December 21, 2017 05:15 PM MST

Mormon Moviegoers is a collective of LDS film reviewers helping you to make informed decisions about Hollywood films. It was founded by family counselor Jonathan Decker (of Ask a Mormon Therapist).

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

How We Are Getting This Iconic Scripture Story All Wrong + Why It's Important for Us to Take a Closer Look

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

October 18, 2017 01:09 PM MDT

For far too long people of faith have seen the destruction of Sodom as merely a cautionary tale against immorality, particularly in terms of homosexual relationships. Not only does this mindset create an “us-vs-them” mentality towards LGBTQ persons, it causes us to miss the true lesson: the sins of Sodom were many, and we all have need to repent of them.

6 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Why Opposition Hits with the Most Force When We Are Closest to Greatness and God

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

September 06, 2017 08:00 AM MDT

"The nearer a person approaches the Lord, a greater power will be manifested by the adversary to prevent the accomplishment of His purposes." —Joseph Smith

3 Min Read

Fun

Mormon Movie Guy Review: What Parents Need to Know About "Dunkirk"

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

August 04, 2017 02:29 PM MDT

Note: I review for artistry, content, and worthwhile messages. The letter grades is a reflection of entertainment value and not necessarily a moral endorsement of any given film. I break down content as best as I can and without judgment so readers can make their own decisions about seeing a film. I share Gospel parallels for those who use cinema to kick-start discussion.

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Mormon Movie Guy Review: What Parents Need to Know About "War for Planet of the Apes"

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

July 20, 2017 06:22 PM MDT

Note: I review movies for artistry, content, and Gospel-compatible messages. My letter grades are for entertainment value and are not necessarily a moral endorsement of any given film. I assess content without judgment so families can decide what’s best for them. The scripture discussion guides are for those who wish to use these stories to share eternal principles.

2 Min Read

Fun

Mormon Movie Guy Review: What Parents Need to Know About "Despicable Me 3" Before Seeing It with Family

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

July 13, 2017 07:20 PM MDT

Note: I review for artistry, content, and worthwhile messages. The letter grade is a reflection of entertainment value and is not necessarily a moral endorsement of the film. I break down content as best I can so readers can make their own decisions about seeing a film.

2 Min Read