SWIHA Blog

When you hear the word hypnotherapy, what comes to mind? A swinging pocket watch? Stage performers making people cluck like chickens? It’s time to clear the smoke and mirrors—because real hypnotherapy is a powerful, evidence-based tool for healing, transformation, and empowerment.

In a world where stress, anxiety, and burnout are at an all-time high, hypnotherapy is quickly gaining recognition for its ability to create lasting change from the inside out. And it’s not magic—it’s neuroscience.

Before Beth Stratton discovered Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), she was on a quest for purpose. With a business degree and entrepreneurial experience behind her, life took an unexpected turn when she had to close her business. Feeling lost and uncertain, she enrolled in an accelerated nursing program—driven by her deep desire to help others—yet her plans shifted again when she became pregnant. Life, as it often does, paused one dream to make space for another. Beth devoted the next several years to raising her children and embracing the journey of full-time motherhood.

For two decades, Sarah Bundy worked as a dental assistant—committed to the job, yet deeply aware that something was missing. Each day, she felt the toll of showing up to a career that no longer resonated with her. The stress followed her home, impacting her children and dimming the joy in her daily life. Beneath the surface, Sarah knew she was meant for something more—something aligned with healing, growth, and the soul’s deeper purpose.

What if the path to your most aligned, empowered, and meaningful career could begin right where you are… from your living room, a local coffee shop, or even a quiet corner of nature?

At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), our Online Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner Diploma is designed to do just that: to help you heal yourself first, and then support others on their healing journeys, all while building a career rooted in purpose, flexibility, and deep fulfillment.

Have you ever paused long enough to think about the incredible, unseen world living inside your gut? I'm talking about your gut microbiome—a moving universe of trillions of tiny bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These microscopic microbes aren't just residing there; they're actively working to keep your gut and its lining healthy. And believe me, when your gut is happy, it sends waves of well-being throughout your entire body.

At some point in life, many of us feel a deep inner calling—a whisper that says, “There’s more for you out there.” For Paulette Brown, a retired police officer with a lifelong passion for helping others, that call came with a desire for a new beginning. She knew she wanted to live a more meaningful life, one aligned with spiritual purpose and healing service. That calling led her straight to Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), where she enrolled in the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program with the dream of becoming a Spiritual Life Coach.

Looking for a festive and functional way to cool down this 4th of July? These red, white, and blue popsicles aren't just beautiful to look at; they’re packed with skin-loving, gut-healing ingredients that support your body from the inside out. Whether you’re watching fireworks or relaxing by the pool, these nourishing pops are a sweet reminder that wellness can be simple AND celebratory.

Have you ever stopped to consider how our thoughts, behaviors, and patterns of thinking impact our well-being and day-to-day lives? Does our mindset jeopardize our future, the way we view ourselves and others, or even the way we feel? What aspects of our past impact the way we think? Can we simply change the way we think to change our reality? Let’s take a closer look.

Pursuing massage therapy is more than learning how to give a great massage; it’s an immersive journey of transformation that connects body, mind, and spirit. Whether you're brand new to holistic wellness or looking to deepen your skills, SWIHA’s Massage Therapy programs are designed to support you in becoming a confident, compassionate, and skilled practitioner.

If you're passionate about wellness, healing, and helping others thrive, pursuing a career in Holistic Health & Wellness Coaching may be your next inspired step. At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we’ve recently updated and expanded our Health & Wellness Coach curriculum to better meet the needs of today’s wellness professionals—and the individuals and communities they serve.

This newly revised program is more hands-on, integrative, and aligned with real-world wellness practices than ever before. Whether you're just starting your path or looking to deepen your practice, this program equips you with practical tools and holistic knowledge to make a meaningful impact.