Working with Infertility and Grief: A Practical Guide for Helping Professionals explores issues of grief, including disenfranchised grief and chronic sorrow, related to infertility and reproductive loss. Out of the small handful of books related to this topic, this is the first of its kind geared toward equipping helping professionals who assist those grieving unrecognized losses. Written through the lens of the literary framework of The Hero’s Journey, this comprehensive practitioner guide directly targets mental health professionals working with clients, supervisees, or students who have experienced infertility, miscarriage, or death of an infant. This book is also for those who experienced it themselves. Readers will learn more about the crisis of infertility and reproductive loss, gain insight into the experience of those suffering, and acquire practical tools and strategies for helping and healing. This text is broad enough to be integrated into a course for a graduate program and specific enough to serve as a shelf reference for those in practice.
Author(s): Whitney L. Jarnagin, Denis’ A. Thomas, Megan C. Herscher
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 244
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Figures
Introduction: What Is the Hero's Journey?
The Hero's Journey
The Separation Phase
Need for the Journey
Resistance
Help and Hope
Point of No Return
Belly of the Whale
The Quest Phase
The Road of Trials
Meeting the Guide
Temptations
Atonement
Apotheosis
The Ultimate Boon
The Return Phase
Refusal of the Return
Doubt and Hope
Navigating Two Worlds
Freedom to Live
Conclusion
References
Part One: The Biopsychosocial Crisis of Infertility
Chapter One. The Diagnosis: So, You Can't Have a Baby: What's the Big Deal?
What Can Helping Professionals Do?
The Hero's Journey
Conclusion
References
Chapter Two. Biological Impacts of Infertility: My Body Betrayed Me
Causes of Infertility
Female Factors
Male Factors
Unexplained Infertility
Reproductive Loss
Chemical and Ectopic Pregnancy
Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Abortion
Premature Birth and Early Infant Death
Birth of Special Needs Children
Sterilization
Treatment
Medications
Surgical Procedures
Assisted Conception
Grieving Biological Losses
Conclusion
References
Chapter Three. Psychological Impacts of Infertility: A Mind That Questions and a Heart That Hurts
The Crisis of Grief
Grief
Mourning
Bereavement
Five Basic Reactions to Loss
Abbreviated Grief
Ambiguous Grief
Complicated Grief
Chronic Sorrow
Disenfranchised Grief
Secondary Losses
Traumatic Grief
The Crisis of Psychological Disorders
Anxiety
Depression
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Prolonged Grief Disorder
The Crisis of Complex Emotions
Loss of Identity and Feelings of Defectiveness, Incompetence, and Worthlessness
Anger
Marital Problems
Social Isolation
Conclusion
References
Chapter FOUR. Social Impacts of Infertility: One Is the Loneliest Number
Relationships with a Spouse or Partner
Sexual Intimacy
Emotional Strain
Lack of Support Outside the Relationship and Feelings of Inadequacy
Disagreements
Relationships with Friends and Family
Friends and Family
Social Media
Relationship with Faith
Relationship with Self
Conclusion
References
Part Two: Who Suffers from Infertility?
Chapter Five. Aging and Infertility: TICK, TICK, TICK ... Is That My Biological Clock?
A Limited Window
Cultural and Societal Influences
Physical Complications
Social Supports and Intimate Relationship Difficulties
Financial Considerations
Conclusion
References
Chapter Six. Non-Age-Related Infertility: I'm Still a Spring Chicken, So Where Are My Chicks?
What Is Non-Age-Related Infertility?
Types of Non-Age-Related Infertility
How Is This Different from Other Kinds of Infertility?
Congenital Issues Impacting Infertility
Environmental Impacts on Fertility
Medical Impacts on Fertility
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Heart Disease
Cancer
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Complications Associated with Earlier Pregnancy
Post-Abortion Infertility
Mental Health and Fertility
Anxiety and Depression
Disordered Eating
Non-Heterosexual Couples' Infertility
Alternative Paths to Parenthood: Options for Non-Heteronormative Couples
Conclusion
References
Chapter Seven. Femininity and Social Implications: Who Am I If I'm Not a Mother?
Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory
The Individual
The Microsystem
Intimate Partner
Family
Friends
Professional Setting
Religious Affiliation
Healthcare Services
The Mesosystem
The Exosystem
The Macrosystem
Societal Views
Community Effects
The Chronosystem
Conclusion
References
Chapter Eight. Male Factor Infertility: Dude, Am I Shooting Blanks?
Male Infertility
Age-Related Male Infertility
Non-Age-Related Male Infertility
Emotional Consequences of Male Infertility
Male Relationships
Intimate Partner Relationships
Family Relationships
Conclusion
References
Chapter Nine. Personal Choices in Growing a Nontraditional Family: Will You Stop Asking Me About Children?
Social Pressures for Motherhood
Pronatalist Policies
Media
Friends and Family
The Changing American Family
Birth Control
Choosing Childlessness
Nontraditional Routes to Parenthood
Fertility Treatments
Egg Donation, Sperm Donation, and Embryo Adoption
Surrogacy
Adoption
Choosing to Remain Childless
How the Hero Can Respond when Asked about Children
Conclusion
References
Chapter Ten. Multicultural Considerations: Is Infertility an Equal Opportunity Condition?
The RESPECTFUL Model
Religion/Spiritual Identity
Economic Class Background
Sexual Identity
Psychological Maturity
Ethnic Identity
Chronological Development
Trauma
Family History and Dynamics
Unique Physical Characteristics
Location of Residence and Language Differences
Conclusion
References
Part Three: Strategies and Suggestions for the Helping Professional
Chapter Eleven. A Plan of Action for the Clinician: Finding Happily Ever After
The Therapeutic Process
Intake
Relationship Building
Assessment
Goal Setting
Treatment Options
Evaluating Progress
Ending
Major Theories of Psychology
Families of Theories
Cognitive Theory
Foundational Beliefs of Cognitive Theory
Change Process in Cognitive Theory
Applying the Hero's Journey to Cognitive Theory
Person-Centered Theory
Foundational Beliefs of Person-Centered Theory
Change Process in Person-Centered Theory
Applying the Hero's Journey to Person-Centered Theory
Narrative Theory
Foundational Beliefs of Narrative Theory
Change Process in Narrative Theory
Applying the Hero's Journey to Narrative Theory
Wellness and Self-Care
Conclusion
References
Chapter Twelve. Working with Individuals, Partners, and Families: The Cast of Characters
The Cast
The Hero
Physical Impacts of Infertility for the Hero
Mental Impacts of Infertility for the Hero
Emotional Impacts of Infertility for the Hero
Spiritual Impacts of Infertility for the Hero
Social Impacts of Infertility for the Hero
The Partner
Physical Impacts of Infertility on the Partner
Mental Impacts of Infertility on the Partner
Emotional Impacts of Infertility on the Partner
Spiritual Impacts of Infertility on the Partner
Social Impacts of Infertility on the Partner
Family, Friends, and Children
Specialized Therapeutic Approaches
Couples Counseling
Grief and Loss Counseling
Expressive Arts
Group Counseling
Conclusion
References
Chapter Thirteen. The Clinical Supervisor's Role: Guiding the Hero's Journey
The Supervisor's Role
A Hero's Journey Tri-Level Infertility Supervision Model
Infertility and Supervision
Client
Clinician/Supervisee
Supervisor
Tri-Level Infertility Supervision
Case Conceptualization
The Separation Phase
The Quest Phase
The Return Phase
50 Questions to Consider
The Separation Phase
The Quest Phase
The Return Phase
Conclusion
References
Chapter Fourteen. Counselor Educator Wisdom: The Sage
How Is a Sage Different from an Expert?
Using the Hero's Journey as a Teaching Resource
Scholarship and Service
Conclusion
References
Appendix A. Hero's Journey Group Plan
Session #1 - Introductions and Group Expectations
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #2 - You Are a Hero: The Hero's Journey
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #3 - The Separation Phase
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #4 - The Quest Phase
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #5 - Grieving the Losses
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #6 - The Road of Trials Stage
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #7 - Guides and Tempters
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #8 - Plot Twist
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #9 - Apotheosis/ Climax of the Story
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #10 - Return and Healing
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #11 - Freedom to Live
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Session #12 - Ending
Warm Up
Psychoeducation
Reference
Appendix B. Seven Types of Conflict
Glossary
Index
