Todd Olson, LCSW, CSAT, is a counselor and co-founder of LifeStar, who has been treating unwanted sexual behavior for over 30 years. Steven Shields, CHMC (2020), runs the website and podcast Unashamed Unafraid, with the goal of bringing hope and community to those in recovery through sharing authentic and vulnerable addiction recovery stories.

LifeStar is partnering with Leading Saints to create discussions with therapists and recovering addicts and their spouses, where leaders can attend or watch online and talk about what to do and how to approach sexual addiction issues. Go to LeadingSaints.org/subscribe and register to receive information about the Leading Saints live discussions with LifeStar.
Highlights
07:00 Todd’s journey treating sexual addictions and how it has changed over 30 years
11:50 Steve’s journey and how he got involved with LifeStar
14:50 LifeStar’s programs
16:20 The purpose LifeStar and Leading Saints have in creating this education program for lay church leaders
19:30 What’s going on behind the scenes when someone comes to their church leader with a sexual addiction problem: minimal discussion and disclosure leads to temporary relief but a continuing problem
24:30 The disclosure process takes time and professional help
27:45 The bishop’s role is a part of the recovery, not the healer, and education about their role is needed
30:30 Helping young men who are preparing to serve missions
33:30 The bishop doesn’t need to do the hard part but can be the hope and spiritual resource
35:30 Creating a dialogue with therapists and recovering addicts so that leaders can know what they should do and how they should approach the problem
38:55 Handling betrayal trauma with the spouse
41:00 ARP is a 12-step support group, not an an addiction recovery program
44:40 Discussions will be recorded and streamed online, and topics will be repeated to keep the learning going
47:30 We are all volunteers and not expected to know everything, and this will be the Cliff Notes to becoming a resource for those without hope
49:00 Working with counselors
50:30 Men will resist going to support groups and counselors
51:40 Dealing with trauma in the bishop’s office
Links
LifeStar
Unashamed Unafraid
Go to LeadingSaints.org/subscribe and register to receive information about the Leading Saints live discussions with LifeStar
“The Atonement Works for Me”: One Couple’s Recovery from Sexual Addiction
6 Things I Wish Bishops Knew About Addiction
Steve Shields was also interviewed as part of the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit, which is available in the Core Leader library. For access, become a Core Leader.