Working with Infertility and Grief

Whitney L. Jarnagin, PhD, is the dean of behavioral and social sciences and professor of psychology at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee. Denis’ A. Thomas, PhD, is an author, podcaster, adjunct professor, conference presenter, homeschool teacher, and freelance writer. Megan C. Herscher, PhD, is the coordinator and associate professor of clinical mental health counseling at Carson-Newman University. She provides post-graduate supervision through her firm Herscher Consultation.

Part 1: The Biopsychosocial Crisis of Infertility 1. The Diagnosis: So You Can’t Have a Baby…What’s the Big Deal? 2. Biological Impacts of Infertility: My Body Betrayed Me 3. Psychological Impacts of Infertility: A Mind That Questions and a Heart That Hurts 4. Social Impacts of Infertility: One is the Loneliest Number Part 2: Who Suffers from Infertility? 5. Aging and Infertility: TICK, TICK, TICK… Is That My Biological Clock? 6. Non-Age-Related Infertility: I’m Still a Spring Chicken, So Where Are My Chicks? 7. Femininity and Social Implications: Who Am I If I’m Not a Mother? 8. Male Factor Infertility: Dude, Am I Shooting Blanks? 9. Personal Choices in Growing a Nontraditional Family: Will You Stop Asking Me About Children? 10. Multicultural Considerations: Is Infertility an Equal Opportunity Condition? Part 3: Strategies and Suggestions for the Helping Professional 11. A Plan of Action for the Clinician: Finding Happily Ever After 12. Working with Individuals, Partners, and Families: The Cast of Characters 13. The Clinical Supervisor’s Role: Guiding the Hero’s Journey 14. Counselor Educator Wisdom: The Sage