Welcome to today’s episode of Fierce Calling, where we’re thrilled to have the multi-talented Karen E. Iverson back on the show. Karen is a licensed professional counselor, coach, public speaker, actress, singer, and artist, recognized as a difference-maker at the 2019 Author Advantage Live Conference. Her newest book, Winning the Mental Health Battle from Struggling to Thriving: 7 Tips to Navigate Anxiety, Depression, and Mania, offers invaluable insights into mental health.

In this episode, Karen shares her inspiring journey from aspiring psychiatrist to impactful mental health counselor and author. We delve into her personal experiences and explore her approach to therapy, which includes innovative techniques like the “54321” grounding method.

Karen and I discuss embracing authenticity, confronting societal stigmas, and finding strength in faith. We also highlight practical ways to navigate emotions and thoughts, underscoring the vital role of professional help. Get ready for a deep and fascinating conversation that will encourage, inspire, and challenge you. Listen in!

Key Topics and Takeaways …

1. 
   
2. Karen Iverson’s Professional and Personal Journey
   
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   • Aspiration to follow her father’s footsteps as a psychiatrist
     
   • Path to becoming a licensed professional counselor
     
   • Shift from aspiring art therapist to counselor in Oklahoma
     
   • Previous book on her breast cancer journey and companion journal
     
   
   
   
3. Karen’s New Book
   
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   • Winning the Mental Health Battle from Struggling to Thriving: 7 Tips to Navigate Anxiety, Depression, and Mania
     
   • Open discussion of faith while being accessible to a diverse audience
     
   • Divine timing and the experience gained before release
     
   
   
   
4. Thematic Insights on Mental Health
   
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   • Emphasis on journaling as a therapeutic practice
     
   • Explanation of mania and importance of professional diagnosis
     
   • Destigmatizing mental health treatment via diagnosis, therapy, and medication
     
   • Encouragement to seek help without shame, acknowledging stigmas even in religious communities
     
   
   
   
5. Spiritual and Faith-Based Elements
   
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   • Transition from secular music to faith-based speaking
     
   • Christ-centered yet inclusive approach in Karen’s book
     
   • Use of faith in resilience against cultural identity and relationship challenges
     
   
   
   
6. Practical Techniques for Mental Health Management
   
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   • “54321” grounding technique for anxiety
     
   • Emphasizing gratitude and positive thinking
     
   • Concept of emotions being temporary; typically lasting about 90 seconds
     
   
   
   
7. Role of the Holy Spirit and Divine Intervention
   
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   • Discussion on the Holy Spirit as part of the Trinity
     
   • Moments of perceived divine intervention in Karen’s life
     
   
   
   
8. Use of Guided Visualization
   
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   • Free guided visualizations on Karen’s website to address anxiety, depression, and mania
     
   • Guided visualizations explained as audio-guided relaxation exercises
     
   • Clarification that techniques are not aligned with new age practices
     
   • Examples such as walking on a beach as a calming visualization
     
   
   
   
9. Acknowledgments and Contact Information
   
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   • Doris thanks Karen for her participation
     
   • Encouragement for listeners to check show notes for more information
     
   • Karen’s contact details and resources availability: mental health quizzes and service offerings on her website
     
   
   
   

More of Karen’s Books

Pick up the Original Books:

Winning the Breast Cancer Battle: Empowering Warriors and Guiding Loved OnesLoved Ones of Those Battling Cancer and Thrivers: Pick up the original book, ebook, and audiobook to help those facing a cancer diagnosis.

Winning the Breast Cancer Battle, Companion Journal: Empowering and Guiding Breast Cancer Warriors Breast Cancer Warriors/Thrivers: Geared for breast cancer warriors as they face their challenges.

Past Episode with Karen as Mentioned in the Show:

Karen Iverson: The Fine Art of Positive Connection

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• In our first episode together, Karen shares about her breast cancer journey and her first book.
  

Connect with Karen!

You can connect with Karen and find her books and free resources at kareneiverson.com

Karen E Iverson was born in New York City and states that she has always been a writer at heart. She moved to New Jersey when she was ten and was often found in her bedroom writing poems and song lyrics and journaling in spiral-bound notebooks. She fondly recalls learning how to “show not tell” her senior year in high school.

Karen further developed her writing skills as an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire. Her education then included attaining 2 master’s degrees in education from Columbia University Teachers College and in clinical mental health counseling from Northeastern State University.

At age 39, Karen was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and when facing potential mortality, she did what she knew best and journaled her way out. Karen later published her first book Winning the Breast Cancer Battle: Empowering Warriors and Guiding Loved Ones, based on that experience.

Karen is a Licensed Professional Counselor, coach, public speaker, actress, singer, and artist and was honored to be recognized as a “Difference Maker” at the 2019 Author Advantage Live conference.
Email: info@kareneiverson.com
www.winningthebreastcancerbattle.com
www.ivisionartwork.com
IG https://www.instagram.com/kareneiverson
FB https://www.facebook.com/kareneiverson
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareneiverson/
YouTube https://youtube.com/@kareneiverson

Connect with Doris!

Connect with Doris at https://dorisswift.com/ For speaking engagements, visit her booking page at womenspeakers.com

Join us for this heartening episode of Fierce Calling and be inspired to deepen your biblical study and walk with God.

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

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Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode with Nancy encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. You’ll find links in the show notes to connect with Nancy and with me.

If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let’s have a chat about your 2025 event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect …

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

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