Every student who walks through the doors of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) carries with them a story—a story of searching, of struggle, of transformation, and of hope. For soon-to-be graduate Lindsay Childers, her path to healing and purpose has been one of resilience, courage, and faith in the calling placed on her heart.
From Struggle to Seeking Something More
Before enrolling in the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program at SWIHA, Lindsay was a single mother of three, working full-time in a cleaning business she had helped build. While she was grateful for the stability, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant for something more. Having lived through abuse, addiction, and grief, she knew deep down that her experiences could someday become the foundation of helping others.
Originally, Lindsay considered studying addiction counseling, yet life had other plans. She describes how, after leaving her job to pursue a new path, SWIHA appeared almost “magically” in her life. “There was no doubt in my mind that SWIHA is where I was supposed to be,” she reflects.
A Defining Moment of Healing
One of Lindsay’s most profound experiences came during a class on the chakras. Day by day, she found herself uncovering layers of past trauma she thought had already healed. With each release, she gained new clarity and perspective. “That moment opened me up and readied me to start helping others find healing,” she recalls.
It was in that space of personal transformation that Lindsay truly knew she was on the right path—one where healing herself and helping others became inseparably linked.
Breaking Cycles and Embracing Creativity
Since beginning her journey at SWIHA, Lindsay’s life has transformed in powerful ways. She has broken generational cycles of addiction, paving the way for her children and their children to experience life with greater freedom and possibility. She’s cultivated a growth mindset, shifting away from limiting beliefs and embracing the power of self-love and resilience.
Another unexpected gift has been the rediscovery of her passion for writing and creativity. “My creativity is now at an all-time high,” she shares, and she is already channeling that energy into writing hypnotherapy scripts, with plans to publish them and share them as guided hypnosis videos.
Building Inner Light Illuminated
While Lindsay doesn’t yet have a fully established private practice, she has already registered her business name: Inner Light Illuminated. Through this future practice, she plans to support women in western North Carolina who are struggling with addiction, trauma, and grief—the very experiences that shaped her own journey.
Her inspiration comes from her deep desire to provide the kind of healing support she wishes she had during her darkest times. “I want my message to be heard by the broken, the lost, the poor—because that is where I am coming from. Those are my people, and those are the ones that need a message like mine the most.”
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Throughout her studies, Lindsay has discovered that success is never without failure. She’s learned to see setbacks as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. She credits inspiring teachers like Ms. Gisele Marasca and Ms. Sherry Gilbert for helping guide her journey, along with transformative courses such as GRIT for Success, Somatic Psychology, Aromatherapy of the Spirit, and Hypnotherapy.
A Message to Future SWIHA Students
Lindsay offers heartfelt advice to those just beginning their own SWIHA journey:
“There will be days that push you to your limit, days where you don’t feel smart enough or good enough, and days where you feel like giving up. Don’t let those days win. You are strong enough, smart enough, and good enough. Lean into this journey with excitement and creativity, and see every challenge as an opportunity to grow.”
The Healed Self, Inspiring Others
Perhaps the most inspiring part of Lindsay’s story is the way she has risen from her past. “The first half of my personal journey had beaten me to a pulp,” she shares honestly. “I was depressed, lost, broken, addicted, and alone. However, the day I stood up and dusted myself off was the day my journey changed for the better.”
Now, Lindsay is writing a new chapter—one where her healing and her story serve as a beacon of light for others walking similar paths. With her completing her program on the horizon, she is ready to step fully into her role as a healer, hypnotherapist, and guide for those seeking transformation.
At SWIHA, we believe that healing journeys not only change the individual—they ripple outward into families, communities, and the world. Lindsay Childers is a shining example of this truth—a reminder that even in our darkest moments, the light within us is never extinguished.
