Before enrolling at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Tegan Catalano describes her life as being on “autopilot”—moving through each day with a deep longing for something more. Her body ached, her spirit felt disconnected, and she wondered if she would ever find a path that truly fulfilled her. What she didn’t realize then was that the answers she sought were already within her; she simply needed the right tools to access them.
That’s when she discovered SWIHA’s Online Hypnotherapy Program, a path that immediately spoke to her fascination with the human mind and her desire to help others rewrite their internal narratives. “I love the idea of helping someone re-create their story,” she explains. And in the process of learning to guide others, she discovered how to reclaim her own.
Finding Her Path, One Insight at a Time
While many students experience a single defining “aha” moment, Tegan’s transformation unfolded more gradually—yet just as powerfully. As she moved through her studies, things began to click. “I felt like what SWIHA offers was speaking directly to who I am at my core,” she shares. “I knew I was on my path because I felt purpose—like I could breathe for the first time.”
Instead of searching for proof, she felt it. Instead of forcing certainty, clarity found her.
A Life Illuminated from the Inside Out
When asked how her life has changed since beginning her studies, Tegan’s response is immediate and heartfelt: “My life has significantly changed is an understatement.”
She describes a profound internal shift—“a light inside me that wants to burst”—and a sense of personal power she had never experienced before. SWIHA didn’t just validate her instincts; it grounded them in science, technique, and confidence.
In fact, she shares that during the process of writing her reflections, she had multiple breakthrough moments—evidence of just how deeply integrated her learning has become.
Where She Is Now: Growth, Vision & Alignment
Professionally, Tegan continues to work as a full-time massage therapist, yet her journey is far from finished. With newfound confidence and clarity, she has set her sights on expanding into life coaching, while also pursuing a dream that fills her heart: starting a non-profit animal shelter.
Personally, she is learning to prioritize health, align her actions with her values, and cultivate an ongoing practice of peace. Her inner world and outer world are finally moving in the same direction.
The Power of Listening—To Others and Herself
While Tegan does not yet own a private practice, her SWIHA coursework—especially her life coaching classes—has profoundly shifted how she works with clients. Through practice and introspection, she’s learned to listen deeply, honor her intuition, and create space for genuine transformation.
“I’ve learned how to listen better—to my clients, and to myself.”
The Greatest Lessons: Intention, Courage & Growth
Among the many insights she gained, three lessons rose to the top:
- - Not being good at something doesn’t mean I can’t do it.
- - Failure doesn’t mean it’s not meant for me.
- - Intention is the most powerful part of what we do.
These principles now guide her as she makes decisions, pursues new opportunities, and steps confidently into her next chapter.
Gratitude for Teachers Who Saw Her Potential
Tegan speaks with deep appreciation for her instructors, especially Sherry Gilbert and Elmas Vincent, who supported her with patience, clarity, and unwavering belief. “They never made me feel like I was asking silly questions. They always made me feel important.”
Advice for Future SWIHA Students
“Do the assignments in the order they’re given—including all of the activities. The activities helped me understand the topics the most.”
Her message is simple: trust the process, engage fully, and let the work guide you.
The Courage to Begin Again
Perhaps the most profound transformation is one of identity. “After going to SWIHA, I felt empowered enough to not be afraid to start over,” Tegan shares. She now lives her life with intention—not according to past expectations, rather according to the future she chooses to create.
Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t always happen in one moment—it unfolds in layers, in insights, in breaths, in choices. And for Tegan, SWIHA was the place where everything finally began to make sense.
