THE AUTHOR

Karen L. Reed, LMSW, has served in many roles throughout her journey of understanding what it means to bleed. She learned that many of us are still bleeding while trying to lead our households, families, and lives. Her goal has been to support others as they work to stop their own bleeding from leading the way they live, love, and parent.

She has spent her life serving as a bridge, helping individuals and families navigate trauma, abuse, grief, and life’s most difficult challenges. Her journey as a minister, social worker, advocate, mentor, teacher, and founder and director of W.E.L.L.L. Outreach Ministries has given her a front-row seat to both the wounds people carry and their capacity to heal.

Her writing does not offer quick fixes or polished resolutions. Instead, it names what many carry in silence: the lasting impact of abuse, betrayal, loss, and unacknowledged pain. It invites readers to slow down, grieve honestly, and rebuild their inner world with dignity and courage.

As a minister, Karen believes healing begins by exposing the lies you were told and embracing the truth of who you really are. She believes healing is not about erasing the past, but about understanding it, reclaiming yourself, and learning how to live differently in the present.

My 1st Breath: Finding Life After Trauma is her deeply personal debut memoir, and it’s written for those who have asked the difficult question:

“Why me?”

Yet, by the grace of God, they’re still standing.