Compassion and Action: Denise Schonwald's Story of Service and Reinvention in Healthcare

This week, Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Denise Schonwald. The two talk about Denise's journey from a three-decade career as a critical care nurse to becoming a nationally licensed mental health therapist, her innovative approach to connecting with clients by giving away her book, and her mission to bring greater education and honesty to the mental health conversation.  In this episode, we discuss: How Denise went from decades in critical care nursing, night shifts, physical strain, and high-stakes decision-making, to realizing it was time to care for people differently and transition into mental health. What helped her figure out her next chapter was asking, "What am I actually good at?" and translating skills like quick thinking, working with families, and navigating crisis into a thriving private practice. When she realized that building a practice meant becoming a business owner and marketer, not just a clinician, and how writing and giving away her first book (instead of selling it) unexpectedly became her best referral engine, reaching readers as far as South Africa, Australia, and Canada. Why her long-term vision is a national platform for telling the truth about mental health, raising real awareness, and helping a society that she sees getting "sicker and sicker," especially among younger children. How technology can feel like "junk food for the mind," fueling anxiety, depression, and procrastination, and her simple, doable starting point: one hour tech-free in the morning and keeping the cell phone out of the bedroom at night. Denise Schonwald, a registered nurse with over three decades of experience, has seamlessly transitioned from critical care nursing to a distinguished career in mental health counseling. Witnessing families cope with the emotional toll of illness during her time in the healthcare field fueled her passion for holistic healing. Based in Sarasota, Florida, Denise extends her compassionate care nationwide through virtual sessions. As a spiritually grounded mental health counselor and medical intuitive, she leads a comprehensive approach, seamlessly merging mental and physical well-being. A public speaker, spiritual teacher, and certified family mediator, Denise advocates for a harmonious integration of mind and body. Her commitment to nurturing both the body and the mind shines through in her client-centered practice, offering support to individuals, couples, families, and even our youngest thinkers - starting at age 4. Books include: Insightful Self-Therapy: Increasing Your Awareness about Mental Health and How to Live a Happier Life;  When Mom and Dad Divorced: Sam's Story, Elephants Don't Marry Giraffes, and her first children's book, Getting Back to Happy. Website: https://deniseschonwald.com/ Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-schonwald/