“Working With Infertility and Grief”

A Walters State professor has written a new book and she hopes that the book will help both individuals and therapists in dealing with a common, yet seldom discussed topic: the pain related to infertility and reproductive loss…such as a miscarriage. Dr. Whitney Jarnigan, who is dean of behavioral and social sciences and professor of psychology at Walters State wrote the book based on her personal struggles…the book’s title is “Working with Infertility and Grief: A Practical Guide for Helping Professionals”.

“working with Infertility and Grief” 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. Jarnigan says that “For the person experiencing infertility, it’s a very real loss. Most people, including the 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 form anxiety, depression and even PTSD.” Professor Jarnigan wrote the book with help from fellow professors Dr. Denis’ 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. You can find “Working With Infertility and Grief” on sites such as Amazon.com.