Winning the Mental Health Battle: Tips & Techniques for Thriving with Karen E Iverson

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 ... Karen Iverson's Professional and Personal Journey 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 Karen's New Book 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 Thematic Insights on Mental Health 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 Spiritual and Faith-Based Elements 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 Practical Techniques for Mental Health Management "54321" grounding technique for anxiety Emphasizing gratitude and positive thinking Concept of emotions being temporary; typically lasting about 90 seconds Role of the Holy Spirit and Divine Intervention Discussion on the Holy Spirit as part of the Trinity Moments of perceived divine intervention in Karen’s life Use of Guided Visualization 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 Acknowledgments and Contact Information Doris thanks Karen for her participation Encouragement for listeners to check show notes for more informat...