Counseling Commons^™

A Different Kind Of Black, But The Same Issues: Black Males And Counterstories At A Predominantly White Institution, Don C. Sawyer Iii, Phd, Robert T. Palmer

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

Much has been written about Black men over the years and in different institutional contexts (e.g., community colleges, predominantly White institutions [PWIs], and historically Black colleges and universities). However, very little of this research has emphasized how the intersecting identities of Black men shape their experiences in higher education. To this end, this article draws from intersectionality and counternarratives, both of which has roots in critical race theory (CRT), to discuss how race, class, and gender informs the experiences of two Black males enrolled in a PWI. This article concludes with critical implications to help institutional leaders at PWIs be …

The Fertility Problem Inventory And Infertility-Related Stress: A Case Study, Staci L. Born, Jennifer J. Preston

Staci Born

More than seven million people of childbearing age in the United States experience infertility. Oftentimes, for women, the experience of infertility is stressful. The Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI) has been used to quantitatively measure women’s experience of infertility-related stress. However, the construct of infertility-related stress is poorly described in existing literature. The purpose of this case study was to understand how women experience the FPI as a measure of infertility-related stress. To address this issue, women who were undergoing infertility treatment completed the FPI and participated in unstructured interviews. Archival documents were also retrieved to corroborate findings and satisfy saturation. …

A Multicase Study Exploring Women’S Narratives Of Infertility: Implications For Counselors, Staci L. Born, Christin L. Carotta, Kristine Ramsay-Seaner

Staci Born

Infertility affects 6.7 million women in the United States (Chandra, Copen, & Stephen, 2013). Women’s experiences with infertility are not only influenced by biological health factors, but also by social, cultural, and personal variables. Given the prevalence and complexity of infertility, additional research is needed to further examine the nuances of women’s experiences. The purpose of this multicase study, as informed by four individual cases, was to explore how women construct their infertility narratives. Review of reflective journals found five common elements: (1) Emotional Rollercoaster, (2) Mind-Body (Dis)Connection, (3) Secret Identity, (4) Supportive vs. Constrained Communication Patterns, and (5) Fatalistic- …

The Intersection Of Marital Problems, Unhealthy Lifestyles, And Adhd Challenges.Pdf, Ron J. Hammond, Christopher Anderson Ph.D., Devin Gilbert, Justin Wilbert, Michelle Chatterly

Ron J. Hammond

Beyond Tolerance: Consciously Using Universal Energy Laws, Discernment, And Harmonious Relationship Principles, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

Every day we, as human beings, maneuver through a myriad of circumstances in our individual and collective life spaces. Central to our experiences is the nature, kind, and quality of our relationships. When we encounter differences (racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, economic, sexual orientation, the mentally and physically challenged), a common issue that often emerges in our experiences is the extent to which we use tolerance in relating to other people and circumstances. For this reason, I want to discuss the nature of tolerance and its limitations, and how to move beyond tolerance by consciously using Universal Energy Laws, discernment, and …

Spiritually Integrative Archetypal Energies And Glimpes Into Soul Consciousness, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

In other writings I have described Archetypal Energies as Higher Vibrational Energies that have their own transcendent value, purpose, quality, and “voice” unique to the individual that operate deep within our psyches, at both individual and collective levels. We tend to experience them as “creative urges” to move us toward our Highest Good or Optimal Realities. I use easily recognized terms to evoke a common sense of these Archetypal Energies (e.g., Love, Acceptance, Inclusion, Harmony, Peace). Here, I want to discuss Spiritually Integrative Archetypal Energies and how they can assist us in gaining glimpses into the nature of our unique …

A Primary Human Challenge, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

We may ask why, at both the individual and collective levels, it has seemed so difficult for us to choose to evolve our human games with Joy. There is no one answer for such a question, for each of us has the gift of free will. I will suggest, however, that built into our human games is what I call a primary human challenge. That primary human challenge is a dynamic tension, flowing from our creative urge for the freedom “to be” who we really are in our current physical form, and simultaneously to embrace our responsibility for our Being-ness.

The Gift And Challenge Of "Free Will": The Connection To Transformational Archetypal Energies, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

In a previous writing, I spoke of “The Voices of Transformational Archetypal Energies,” and how they serve as the primary “Psychic Energy” behind AHP’s mission and “kindred spirits on the edge.” Again, I use easily recognized terms to evoke a common sense of these Higher Vibrational Energies, each with their own transcendent value, purpose, quality and “voice” unique to the individual that operate deep within our psyches (i.e., Love; Acceptance; Inclusion; Harmony). I want to use this opportunity to briefly call attention to the use and misuse of a wonderful human gift and its connection to these Transformational Archetypal Energies. …

Path Of The Bridger: Ahp's Role In Co-Creating A "New Reality" For Human Togetherness And The Evolution Of Consciousness, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

As the newly elected President of AHP, I feel very honored to become part of an ongoing, transformational, creative, and inspiring history. As I mentioned in my recent introductory letter to you all after being voted AHP’s new President this summer, since its founding the Association for Humanistic Psychology (AHP) has been engaged in an historic, “transformational undertaking”—to actualize “a bold new affirmative approach in psychology and life” and “to explore the edges of what is known, looking for new and workable methods to facilitate our evolution as individuals and as a society.” Humanistic Psychology and AHP represented a shift …

Levels Of Consciousness, Archetypal Energies, And Earth Lessons: An Emerging Worldview, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

Worldviews emerge from our individual and collective Levels of Consciousness at given points in time and space and from what we come to “believe” is possible or not. In my own experience, my research on Consciousness, and my study of various cultures, societies, and Consciousness literature, I have identified at least seven Levels of Consciousness, twenty-five Archetypal Energies, and various Earth Lessons, which we seem to commonly experience as human beings, in our own unique personal, societal, and global life spaces.

Archetypal Energies And The Four Faces Of Romantic Relationships, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

All relationships are valuable learning experiences. They are mirrors to assist us in our various Earth lessons. As mirrors, relationships, particularly romantic or intimate relationships, reflect to a large extent energies that are going on inside of us. At much deeper levels, these energies are what I call our authentic Archetypal Energies. Over the years, I have come to recognize at least twenty-five of these primary Archetypal Energies, each with a unique function and purpose for our human experience. I use easily recognized terms to evoke a common sense of these energies. Love, for example, is one of these deeper …

Healing The War Between The Genders: The Power Of The Soul-Centered Relationship (Book Author, Linda Marks; Book Reviewer, Carroy Ferguson), Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

As humanity seeks to understand its next evolutionary journey and to evolve its consciousness, insightful thinkers and writers have emerged to identify where we must first heal and to provide guidance for how to heal. In her book Healing The War Between The Genders: The Power of the Soul-Centered Relationship, Linda Marks adeptly discusses what she calls a “cultural heart wound” as being at the center of the gender struggle. In this context, the struggle actually transcends heterosexual relationships, gender-role conflicts, and particular one-to-one dynamics per se. As each person has what are often called male and female energies, “the …

Gifts For The Soul: A Guided Journey Of Discovery, Transformation, And Infinite Possibilities (Book Author, Dawn E. Clark; Book Reviewer, Carroy Ferguson)), Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

Dawn E. Clark's Gifts for the Soul is an intriguing self-help book, full of promise and hope for a new way to engage in self-healing and what the author calls soul healing through soul retrieval work. According to the author, the ancient healing tradition of soul retrieval to heal soul loss has been documented by many cultural anthropologists. The tradition apparently has been traced to a belief in the ancient concept of soul loss, embraced by many civilizations and diverse cultures in North America, Australia, Asia, South America and the shaman tradition as far back as 10,000 years ago. Soul …

Relationships And Universal Energy Laws, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

Relationships are our most intense forms of "mirrors" in the world. They show us in direct and indirect ways how we are using our personal energy systems in what I call our three life spaces. They show us how we consciously and unconsciously employ what some authors have called Universal Energy Laws (see attached descriptions of these laws) to co-create the quality of our relationships. Whether or not we "attract" and/or deal with relationships in conscious or subconscious ways, what I call the "mirror effect" is reflected in our three life spaces—personal life space, societal life space, and global life …