Functional Nurse Academy Success Stories: Rev. Kimberly Carter and Developing a Functional Psychology Framework for Trauma and Healing

Oct 23 / Melissa Schreibfeder, BSN, RN, BC-FMP

🎧 Listen to my podcast with Kimberly below!

Why do some people continue repeating the same unhealthy patterns, even when they recognize those patterns and desperately want to change?

It's a question that Functional Nurse Academy graduate Rev. Kimberly M. Carter has spent years exploring through nursing, alternative medicine, metaphysics, and her own personal experiences with trauma.

On today's episode, I had the opportunity to reconnect with Kimberly, a registered nurse, board-certified functional medicine practitioner, board-certified functional health nurse coach, and founder of Conscious Health Solutions.

Since our last conversation, Kimberly has been developing an innovative framework called Functional Psychology and the Carter Algorithm, which focuses on understanding the deeper beliefs, identity patterns, and past experiences that may contribute to recurring emotional and behavioral challenges.

Her goal is to help individuals move beyond simply managing symptoms and begin understanding why they continue experiencing the same struggles.

Kimberly's Journey: From Conventional Nursing to Functional Psychology

Kimberly began practicing nursing in 2009, but even during nursing school, she was the student who constantly asked questions. She wanted to understand why things happened, not just memorize what to do.

Once she entered the workforce, she began questioning the conventional approach to managing chronic illness. She noticed how frequently patients received medications and treatments without much attention to the underlying factors contributing to their health concerns.

About a year into her nursing career, Kimberly suffered a plantar fascia injury that temporarily took her away from work. During that time, she began studying alternative medicine. That decision opened the door to a much broader exploration of health.

Kimberly went on to earn a bachelor's degree in alternative medicine, became ordained in 2015, and completed a master's degree in metaphysics in 2018. In 2024, she completed the Functional Nurse Academy and earned board certifications in functional medicine and functional health nurse coaching.

But it was her own experience with a traumatic marriage and the difficult process of understanding her personal history that eventually inspired her to create something entirely different.

Kimberly began examining how trauma can influence identity, beliefs, relationships, and the behaviors people repeat throughout their lives. Today, she is completing her Doctor of Metaphysical Psychology dissertation at the University of Sedona, where she is developing her Functional Psychology framework.

What Kimberly Loved About Functional Nurse Academy

For Kimberly, Functional Nurse Academy helped bring together years of education and experiences that had previously felt like separate pieces of a much larger puzzle.


Some of the things she valued most included:


  • Validation of her previous education: Kimberly shared that FNA reinforced much of what she had learned while studying alternative medicine.

  • A deeper understanding of functional health: The program helped her see how different systems in the body work together and why understanding underlying patterns matters.

  • Functional lab education: She appreciated learning how to evaluate laboratory results and recognize patterns that could inform client education.

  • Connecting the mind and body: Kimberly valued the opportunity to expand her understanding of physical health while continuing to explore psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Everything that you gave me was almost like a balm to my soul, that what I had already known was in fact real.
Although Kimberly initially prepared to open a traditional functional medicine practice, her personal journey ultimately took her in another direction. She decided to focus on developing her Functional Psychology model, bringing together her nursing knowledge, holistic education, and personal experiences.

Understanding the Root of Trauma and Repeating Patterns

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation was Kimberly's explanation of why people sometimes repeat the same behaviors and relationship patterns, even after recognizing that those patterns are harmful.

Kimberly believes many of these behaviors are connected to beliefs and protective responses developed much earlier in life. For example, a child who learns that love or acceptance depends on behaving a certain way may begin suppressing parts of their personality to maintain connection with others.

Over time, those patterns can become so familiar that the person carries them into adulthood without recognizing where they originated. Kimberly describes this through different aspects of identity, including:


  • The origin self: The person's earliest sense of self before the development of learned beliefs and protective behaviors.

  • The mask: The behaviors and identities someone adopts to gain acceptance, approval, or belonging.

  • The shadow: Parts of the self that become suppressed or hidden because they feel unsafe to express.

  • The witness state: The ability to observe personal thoughts, behaviors, and reactions without automatically defending or justifying them.


These concepts form part of Kimberly's larger theoretical framework for understanding identity and recurring behavioral patterns.

Her work draws on depth psychology, self-reflection, and her own interpretation of how past experiences influence present-day behavior.

Prefer to watch? Watch my interview with Kimberly below!

Functional Psychology and the Carter Algorithm

During the interview, Kimberly introduced her Carter Algorithm, a framework she is developing to help individuals explore the underlying patterns that may contribute to self-sabotage and repeated emotional struggles.

Instead of focusing only on how someone responds to a difficult situation, her approach encourages deeper questions.

When did this belief first develop?
What experience shaped the way this person sees themselves?
Why does the same pattern keep appearing in different relationships or circumstances?
And what might change when someone begins questioning the beliefs they've carried for years?

Kimberly believes that developing this kind of self-awareness can help individuals recognize the connection between their past experiences and present behaviors.

The Connection Between Trauma, Stress, and Physical Health

We also discussed how prolonged stress and trauma can affect the nervous system and overall health. When someone frequently experiences fear, anxiety, or emotional distress, their body's stress response may become repeatedly activated. Over time, chronic stress can influence sleep, mood, physical symptoms, and overall well-being.

This is one reason I emphasize the importance of addressing sleep, stress, and emotional wellness when working with functional medicine clients. Kimberly's work explores these connections from another perspective, focusing on the beliefs and identity patterns that may contribute to ongoing emotional distress. She also incorporates spiritual and philosophical perspectives into her approach.

Of course, every person's experience with trauma is different, and psychological support should always be individualized. Functional Psychology is not a replacement for evidence-based mental health treatment when that care is needed.

Helping Clients Explore Their Patterns Through the FEAR Program

Kimberly has developed educational resources designed to help individuals begin exploring the concepts behind her framework. Her FEAR Program introduces participants to her model of selfhood and encourages them to examine how beliefs, relationships, and experiences may shape their identity.

Because this type of introspective work can be emotionally challenging, Kimberly emphasizes moving at a pace that feels manageable.


She shared that some clients need to step away from the exercises temporarily before returning to explore deeper material. She has also developed an AI-powered digital guide named Percy, designed to help users navigate her educational materials. Through her website, individuals can access:

  • A free mini ebook to begin identifying recurring personal patterns.

  • The FEAR Foundations manual for a deeper introduction to Kimberly's model.

  • Percy, the AI guide, which answers questions about the program's concepts and materials.

  • Clarity calls for individuals interested in additional guidance directly from Kimberly.


Kimberly explained that Percy is intentionally limited when discussions reach more complex emotional territory, encouraging individuals to seek additional support rather than relying entirely on an automated tool.

A Different Path for Functional Nurses

Kimberly's journey highlights one of the many different directions nurses can take after expanding their education.


Rather than opening the functional medicine practice she initially envisioned, Kimberly found an opportunity to combine her nursing foundation with her interests in alternative medicine, metaphysics, and psychology. Her Functional Nurse Academy education became one part of a much larger professional journey.


Today, she is preparing a clinical manual explaining her Carter Algorithm, with plans discussed during the episode for a certification program in 2027.


Her story demonstrates how continuing education can help nurses explore new professional interests, develop educational resources, and build on the knowledge they've gained throughout their careers.

About Rev. Kimberly Carter, RN, BC-FMP, BC-FHNC

Rev. Kimberly M. Carter is a registered nurse, board-certified functional medicine practitioner, board-certified functional health nurse coach, and founder of Conscious Health Solutions.


She holds a bachelor's degree in alternative medicine and a master's degree in metaphysics and is completing doctoral work in metaphysical psychology.


Through her developing Functional Psychology framework and Carter Algorithm, Kimberly explores how early experiences, identity patterns, and personal beliefs may influence recurring emotional and behavioral challenges.


Her work combines nursing, functional wellness education, depth psychology concepts, and self-awareness practices to help individuals explore their experiences and develop a deeper understanding of themselves.


Kimberly's Website: https://www.conscioushealthsolutionsllc.com/

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Functional Nurse

What is a functional nurse?

A functional nurse is a licensed nurse who applies the principles of functional medicine to educate and empower clients by helping them identify and address potential root causes of health concerns. Functional nurses focus on nutrition, lifestyle, sleep, stress management, environmental influences, and other evidence-informed approaches while practicing within their nursing scope of practice.

What is the difference between a functional practice owned by a NP and RN or LPN?

Nurse practitioners may operate a medical practice where permitted by state law. Depending on their state's regulations, NPs may diagnose medical conditions, order and interpret laboratory testing, prescribe medications, and provide medical treatment.

RNs and LPNs can own and operate independent wellness-focused functional nursing practices. Rather than diagnosing or treating medical conditions, they educate and empower clients through personalized wellness plans, nutrition and lifestyle education, health coaching, specialty laboratory education and on going support.

How Do Non-Advanced Practice Functional Nurses Utilize Laboratory Testing?

RNs and LPNs can access both conventional and specialty laboratory testing through partnerships with functional medicine laboratories. These partnerships allow nurses to order testing through a physician network at affordable wholesale pricing, while practicing within their professional scope.

While nurse practitioners (NPs) may have the authority to diagnose medical conditions and independently order laboratory testing depending on their state laws, non-advanced practice nurses use laboratory data to educate clients about potential patterns of dysfunction. Laboratory findings can also help guide personalized wellness recommendations and support collaboration with the client's healthcare team to optimize health outcomes.

Please note: Certain states, including New Jersey (NJ) and Rhode Island (RI), have restrictions on laboratory ordering through some functional medicine laboratory networks.

Does Functional Nurse Academy provide continuing education for nurses?

Functional Nurse Academy is an approved provider of continuing nursing education. Graduates receive 90 nursing contact hours, approved for LPNs, RNs, and NPs.

The program combines comprehensive functional medicine education with practical application, case studies, and business mentorship, giving nurses the knowledge, tools, and confidence to launch and grow their own functional wellness businesses.

Can I become board certified after completing Functional Nurse Academy?

Yes! Functional Nurse Academy graduates are eligible for the following practitioner level board certifications through American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioners (AANWP)

  • Functional Medicine Nurse Specialist | BC-FMNS
  • Functional Medicine Practitioner | BC-FMP
  • Functional Wellness Professional | BC-FWP
  • Christian Wellness Practitioner | BC-CWP (for students completing our optional Christian content)

Below are the coaching credentials that our graduates qualify for through the American Association of Natural Wellness Coaches (AANWC)

  • Functional Nurse Health Coach | BC-FNHC
  • Functional Health Coach | BC-FHC

This program has been peer-reviewed and is endorsed by The American Holistic Nurses Association

CEs earned from the Functional Nurse Academy meet CE eligibility requirements for the following American Holistic Nurses Association board certification titles:

  • HN-BC® (Holistic Nurse Board Certified)
  • HNB-BC® (Holistic Nurse Baccalaureate Board Certified)
  • AHN-BC® (Advanced Holistic Nurse Board Certified)
  • APHN-BC® (Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse Board Certified)
  • NC-BC® (Nurse Coach Board Certified)

What is included in enrollment?

Functional Nurse Academy is the leading and most comprehensive functional nursing program on the market for LPN, RN and NP. Enrollment includes the following:

  1. 90 Nursing Contact Hours of functional nursing education
  2. Multiple Board Certification Pathways in functional medicine and holistic nursing
  3. Functional Nurse Toolkit with business resources and practice-building tools
  4. Social Media & Marketing Kit with 9 months of content, brochures, and business card templates
  5. 40+ Advanced Trainings covering functional medicine and business strategy (available in FNA monthly mentorship library)
  6. Six Months of FNA’s Monthly Mentorship Program FREE, including live educational trainings and 60 minutes of live Q&A each month, all hosted by FNA Founder Melissa Schreibfeder, BSN, RN, BC-FMP, plus case studies and full access to the mentorship library.
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Ready to take the next step?

I’m so happy you’re interested in functional nursing! I’d love to connect with you at my next live informational + Q&A webinar, where you’ll learn all about functional nursing, how nurses across the country are launching their own functional wellness businesses, and how you can get started.

You’ll also have the opportunity to meet me live and get all of your questions answered!

Just click below to save your seat! I hope to see you there!

-Melissa Schreibfeder, BSN, RN, BC-FMP Founder & CEO, Functional Nurse Academy