My Journey Through Life and Wisdom

I'm Peggy Ferguson, a life adventurer, a seeker of knowledge, a wizened guide, and a creative, weaving a rich tapestry of life from the heart of Oklahoma. Around me, I have my quilting studio, my husband's fishing tackle room, my fuzzy blanket, pictures of the kids and grandkids, my laptop, and a stack of yellow pads. Currently sipping on my morning cup of coffee as I write this, I invite you to join me on a journey through the various flavors and colors that make up my world.

Beginnings: Having been engaged in the counseling field since the 1980s, I began my career as a guidance counselor working in inpatient treatment facilities for adolescents and later for chemically dependent adults. In 1990, while pursuing my Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University in Human Environmental Science with a specialty in Family Relations and Child Development, I launched my private practice in Stillwater, which I maintain today. While working on my dissertation, I returned to the treatment center to collect data on coercive escalation in couple communication and served as the Family Focus Facilitator for the family program at the treatment center.

Passion for Learning: Though I'm celebrating the milestone of 70 years, my appetite for knowledge remains insatiable. The idea of returning to school still whispers in my ears, a testament to my enduring love for learning. My personal and professional journey has been divinely inspired, and the gift of touching lives has blessed me beyond measure.

A Legacy of Compassion: As I reflect on my career, I know that titles and positions don't encapsulate it. Instead, my legacy is the countless individuals who have flourished under my tutelage, evolving toward their best selves. Creating an infrastructure of recovery and compassion by standing on the shoulders of giants, listening to my patients, and meeting them where they are, I have guided them toward their goals and dreams.

A Writer's Odyssey: Throughout the decades of a bustling practice, my need to teach has found expression not only through therapy but through the written word. This website, born in 2009 and recently updated, rejuvenated, and expanded is a repository of my observations, scholarship, and a digital legacy for those seeking transformative information and knowledge. It's a work in progress, with much more to come.  These pages reflect the broader contexts of evolving substance use research and treatment, advances in mental health care, shifting paradigms, and cultural changes. The narratives and information here offer insights and inspiration for those who seek to understand and overcome life's challenges.  Those who visit here and make use of the information are a testament to human resilience and growth.

An Integrative Approach: In a constantly changing world, I've maintained an integrative approach to psychotherapy and philosophy. Appreciating the diversity of needs, I've remained committed to the principle that growth is a bespoke journey for each individual.

Community Steward: Beyond my practice, I've actively participated in local community and state professional boards.  I am a community resource for information and a beacon for those seeking guidance. My roles as a work in progress continue, a journey shared with my proteges and you.

Welcome to my world – a world where age is a privilege and an accomplishment, and the pursuit of knowledge and compassion still knows no bounds.