Karla Stewart
Karla Stewart, She/Her – Crisis Communication Program Manager / Doctoral Student in Advanced Studies of Human Behavior, began her professional journey in 1997 in a nursing home, unaware that this first role would lay the foundation for nearly three decades in the medical and mental health fields. What started as hands-on patient care evolved into a calling rooted in advocacy, crisis intervention, and communication—work that demands clarity, compassion, and calm when people need it most. Over the years, she has developed expertise working with adolescents, young adults, first responders, and high-acuity inpatient populations, groups often facing immense pressure with limited support. Her work has shown that effective crisis intervention relies as much on clear communication as it does on clinical skill.
Today, Karla serves as a Crisis Communications Program Manager at HealthSource Integrated Solutions, overseeing teams of specialists who conduct 988 crisis calls and hospital mental health screenings. In this role, she operates at the intersection of clinical care and operational leadership, ensuring that patients in acute distress receive timely, ethical, and effective interventions. Although her position is virtual and based in Topeka, Kansas, her roots remain firmly planted in Oklahoma, where she continues to serve her community. She has also held roles as Clinical Supervisor, Therapist, and Clinical Liaison, providing direct support, clinical oversight, and program development across multiple behavioral health settings.
Karla’s personal and professional growth has been shaped by resilience, mentorship, and lifelong learning. As a former foster youth, she understands firsthand that we are not defined by our past. This perspective fuels her commitment to mentoring emerging clinicians, supporting them as they find their footing, and encouraging growth through challenges. She holds licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and a Clinical Professional Counselor in Kansas, earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Langston University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Advanced Studies of Human Behavior at Capella University. She values humility, the courage to embrace the unexpected, and the importance of seeking guidance when needed, striving to turn even the most challenging moments into opportunities for meaningful impact.
• CAMS Trained™
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Langston University - BA Psych
• Langston University - MS, Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor
• National Society of Leadership and Success
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to nearly three decades of dedication to patient care, advocacy, and crisis intervention, beginning in 1997 in a nursing home—an experience that laid the foundation for my career in medical and mental health services. Today, as a Crisis Communications Program Manager based in Topeka, Kansas, I oversee specialists conducting 988 crisis calls and hospital mental health screenings, ensuring that patients in acute distress receive timely, ethical, and effective interventions. My work, particularly with adolescents, young adults, first responders, and high-acuity inpatient populations, has honed my ability to combine clinical expertise with clear, compassionate communication under pressure. Education has been central to my growth; I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Langston University and am currently pursuing a PhD in Advanced Studies of Human Behavior at Capella University, all while maintaining licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and a Clinical Professional Counselor in Kansas. This journey reflects my commitment not only to individual care but also to shaping systems that support meaningful outcomes.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To follow your dreams and do not let adversity take over my ability to pursue those dreams
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One of my proudest achievements has been stepping into leadership, taking on management roles that allow me to build programs, mentor emerging clinicians, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. Mentorship is especially important to me, and I am committed to supporting new professionals as they find their footing, just as others once guided me. My advice to young women entering this field is to embrace opportunities even before you feel fully ready—growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. I encourage challenging yourself, being open to vulnerability as a leader, and trusting that each experience will strengthen your skills, resilience, and impact.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field right now are the lack of workers to care for the people who are in need of support. The biggest opportunities in my field right now are having the ability to work in so many different aspects in the field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are resilience, courage, and service. Having grown up in foster care, I was once told I was “manipulative” and “would never amount to anything,” yet I have turned that experience into a commitment to mentorship, advocacy, and giving back to emerging clinicians. My journey has taught me to be open to the unexpected, embrace challenges, and recognize that the roles that stretch us the most often shape us the best. I believe in approaching crisis with clarity, compassion, and communication, turning even the most difficult moments into opportunities for impact. I also value humility acknowledging when I don’t have all the answers and seeking guidance when needed as a cornerstone of effective leadership and personal growth.
Locations
HealthSource Integrated Solutions
2121 Southwest Chelsea Drive, Topeka, KS, 66614