Karen Tripp MS  Speaker, Author, Counselor

From east coast to west coast, Karen Tripp has turned her gift of gab into the gift to heal. Regardless of location, her southern accent and quirky sayings are evidence that Karen’s roots always grow south. Picture a childhood in Jacksonville, Florida with bare foot kickball, and forts in the woods, followed by teen bonfires on the beach and Shakey’s pizza after football games. Karen experienced life in a nuclear family, in a single parent family and in a blended family before landing at Florida State University for her BA in Psychology.

Her gift of gab came in handy in graduate school at the University of Miami where Marriage and Family Therapy developed from a major into a passion. By graduation, she had just begun to sense the power that words can have to heal those in need. While establishing clinical practices in South Florida, greater Chicago and Southern California, Tripp developed public speaking as an essential component of her career.  From cancer survivors, bereavement  groups to church groups and professional organizations, Karen’s wit and enthusiasm brings to those she reaches concrete directions  through the difficult problems of life.

The God is Bigger book series has become a extraordinary tool for Karen to share her pasison for reaching out to people at their moment of need.  The series focus’ on the spiritual needs of people experiencing emotional suffering.  God is Bigger Than Your Cancer is the first book in the series followed by God is Bigger than Your Grief.  God is Bigger Than Your Addiction is due to be released in late 2009.   Each volume is a beautifully illustrated gift book designed to give the reader what they need to hear in a way they need to hear it.

Karen’s gift of writing has also found an outlet through writing devotions for the grieving.  Through a joint effort with Arison Records, these devotions have been recorded on two CD’s: The First Christmas After and Another Christmas After.  Professional recording artist Jennie Williamson and Jenny Pforr provide beautifully arranged Christmas Carols and musical arrangements that enter mix with the devotions.  Through the gift of scripture driven words and inspired music, many have found emotional healing through a difficult season of their life.

At home, Karen is blessed with an adorable husband, Kelly, and two teenager, Garrett and Heidi. She enjoys leading Bible studies, playing in creeks and making sugar cookies with kids of all ages.