蜜桔直播 Professor Shares Hope for Dealing with Infertility and Grief
September 5, 2023
蜜桔直播 Professor Authors "Infertility and Grief: A Helping Professionals Guide"
A 蜜桔直播 professor hopes her new book will equip both individuals and therapists in dealing with a common, yet seldom discussed topic: Pain related to infertility and reproductive loss.
鈥淲orking with Infertility and Grief: A Practical Guide for Helping Professionals,鈥� grew out of the personal struggles of its authors, Dr. Whitney Jarnagin, dean of behavioral and social sciences and professor of psychology at 蜜桔直播; Dr. Denis鈥� Thomas, the first faculty director of the Center for Play Therapy and Expressive Arts at Lipscomb University; and Dr. Megan Herscher, associate professor of counseling and coordinator of the clinical mental health program at Carson-Newman University.
All three leaned on each other when facing different infertility and reproductive loss issues.
鈥淭his is a very personal and private struggle,鈥� Jarnagin said. 鈥淧eople don鈥檛 talk about it very much. This book grew out of our desire to find a purpose for this part of our journey.鈥�
鈥淲orking with Infertility and Grief鈥� is the first book of its kind targeting counselors,
doctors, social workers and anyone else in the helping field. The book contains materials
for a 12-week group therapy session.
鈥淭his book will help anyone working with clients who are suffering through infertility
or miscarriage,鈥� Jarnagin said. The book will also help individuals seeking more knowledge.
鈥淪ociety doesn鈥檛 acknowledge this as a loss,鈥� Jarnagin said. 鈥淔or the person experiencing
infertility, it鈥檚 a very real loss. Most people, including therapists do not realize
what the challenges of healing are for those suffering with these issues. Those working
through infertility over time and those suffering multiple miscarriages can suffer
from anxiety, depression and even PTSD.鈥�
The first section of the book is devoted to the biological, psychological and social
challenges of infertility. The second section of the book looks at how infertility
affects sub-groups, including men. The last section is focused on healing and evidence-based
practices.
Jarnagin鈥檚 advice to those with loved ones dealing with infertility: Say something
encouraging. It doesn鈥檛 have to be complicated.
鈥淥ne of the best things to say is 鈥業 am sorry you are going through this and I am
here for you,鈥欌�� she said.