Student Spotlight
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Karen Stophel, Ph.D. grad & N.D. candidate
“You can’t buy health”
During two fascinating careers so far, Karen Stophel has taught and counseled people of all ages. She is thankful for two strong role models and mentors, the first of whom was her mother.
“Growing up, I gradually became attuned to the healing power of nature through the irony of seeing Mom grapple with ill health. Even as a woman of means, what she couldn’t seem to buy — what none of us can buy — is the successful external process of re–acquired health, without the internal focus of creating, preserving and promoting our own personal foundation for vibrant wellness.”
Her second role model is the legendary Tasha Tudor. Known as the artist whose whimsical illustrations accompanied Robert Louis Stevenson’s poetry in A Child’s Garden of Verses, Tudor’s natural wisdom graced more than 90 books. Born into material wealth but greatly preferring nature’s simple richness, the heiress “ran for the fields” to create a peaceful animal kingdom of farming, spinning her own yarn, weaving her own cloth, cooking and candle–making.
As Karen the educator and counselor became more attuned to living her own truth, she was delighted to discover CCNH. “Distance learning at my own pace works great for me. As a self–employed business owner for many years, after earning several traditional degrees I find the self–discipline of independent study to be a very freeing concept.”
So freeing, in fact, that after earning her research–oriented Ph.D. in Natural Health, Karen has re–enrolled in our practitioner–focused N.D. program! “I felt the completion of dual–doctoral studies would deepen my foundation of knowledge to offer clients more tools for their journey to health.
“With the one–dimensional focus of conventional counseling, improvement can seem immeasurable, slow, reversible or stagnant. Equipping myself with credible information allows me to be a more active helper to clients in the various aspects of their being.”
Karen also co–presents corporate wellness seminars with her sister, a nursing professor whose topics may include screening intervals, modifiable versus unmodifiable risk factors, how to read and interpret medical reports. Offering holistic approaches of detoxification and natural nutrition that balance her sister’s more allopathic views, their combined expertise brings to workplaces an empowering, accessible new dimension of self–care.
“For me a career in natural health is now of perfect timing,” she concludes. “Learning and implementing a more natural lifestyle is not just for me, but also for the ones who follow. The adjustments we make allow us to live longer and more healthfully, and to inspire others by example. The winds of change are always blowing, and a holistic approach to mind/body/spirit health is proactive. It’s what keeps us on the front–end of life’s changes.”
“Natural health is the embodiment of a wise old adage, ‘You take good care of yourself’!”
This article was based on an interview with the student.
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