SWIHA Blog

For many people, the path toward a meaningful career doesn’t begin with certainty—it begins with a quiet feeling that something is missing. For recent graduate Ashley Clements, that feeling eventually led her to a life-changing journey through the programs at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA).

Today, Ashley is stepping into a new chapter as a holistic practitioner, entrepreneur, and advocate for women seeking healing and transformation. Her journey to this work was not conventional.

When Amy Smith began searching for an End-of-Life Doula program in October 2024, she didn’t expect to find a path that would transform every area of her life. What she discovered at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts was more than an education—it was a calling fully realized.

Enrolling in the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program with the End-of-Life Doula certification, Amy stepped into a journey that would affirm what her heart had known for years.

At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, we often say that healing is not a destination—it’s a journey. For recent Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner graduate Anna Laniewski, that journey has been nothing short of life-changing.

Before enrolling at SWIHA, Anna knew one thing for certain: she wanted her life to mean something.

“I have long wanted to do something meaningful with my life. This would have to involve using my past traumas to help others.”

When Shakeela Smith graduated from the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), with specialties in Healing Botanicals and Earth Ceremonies, it was more than a diploma—it was the embodiment of a journey that had been quietly unfolding for years.

Her path was not linear. It was layered, intuitive, and Divinely timed.

For many students, the path to SWIHA begins in a moment of deep inner questioning. For Shanda Mack, that moment was marked by what she lovingly describes as a time of spiritual limbo—a powerful in-between space where clarity had not yet arrived; however, the calling was undeniable.

Before enrolling at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Shanda found herself standing at a crossroads. She knew she was meant to spiritually inspire others, yet she was still discerning how to align that calling with a sustainable, prosperous career. The desire to create meaningful impact—while honoring both her spiritual gifts and her professional goals—ultimately led her to the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program.

For Michelle Rodriguez, healing has never been just a job—it has been a calling. With over 22 years in the healthcare field and nine years as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, Michelle has walked alongside countless individuals and families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Yet, despite her deep dedication to nursing, something within her began to shift.

“I have held the view that each individual’s situation should be approached holistically, honoring the triune beings—body, mind, and soul—that each person is,” Michelle shares. “I especially believe this when it comes to those who are in the transition of death.”

That belief became the compass guiding her toward a new path—one rooted in care and reverence.

For many, life doesn’t follow a straight path, and for Alissa Germond, that winding journey led her to Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). Now a student in the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program, Alissa is on track to graduate in February 2026 with a diploma, along with certificates in Spiritual Coaching, End of Life Doula work, and Yoga Nidra. She has also enriched her studies with Holistic Entrepreneur and Business Development classes—each step shaping the foundation for her transformative work with others.

It’s a valid question. In an often emotionally suppressed world, managing our feelings and engaging with others is a process of trial and error; a journey that can be quite difficult. Discovering healthy ways to relate emotionally can be a significant challenge. 

We’ve learned over the years that thoughts, feelings, and emotions expand beyond our limited physical forms, affecting others, and we can sometimes pick up on energies that are not our own. These once-rare subjects are now rising to the surface of daily dialogue. Growing awareness of our interconnectedness with others and our overall environment can be a challenging shift in awareness if you’re the more grounded, practical type of person. Accepting that another person’s thoughts can affect you in any way could be a bridge too far for you to bear.

For recent Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) graduate Courtney Easterling, the path to SWIHA was guided by a lifelong love of natural living, holistic wellness, and earth-based practices. What began as a desire to learn more about the healing arts ultimately became a deeply personal journey of growth, grounding, and purpose.

“I came to SWIHA because I was interested in the healing arts,” Courtney shares. “I’ve always loved natural practices and agriculture. I love holistic nutrition, chakras, and yoga.” Drawn to these interconnected modalities, she found SWIHA to be the place where her values and passions could come together in a meaningful, professional way.

Life has a way of guiding us exactly where we need to be—sometimes through gentle nudges, and other times through moments that make us pause entirely. For Maggie Coe, her journey into the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) was a combination of both.

Before enrolling at SWIHA, Maggie’s life revolved around her family, her pottery business, and deepening her relationship with her partner. In 2024, a significant accident forced her to slow down, listen to her body, and reflect on what truly mattered. “I became more intentional with my life, listening to what I was being called to do,” Maggie shares. That reflection led her to SWIHA, and she immediately felt that this was the path she was meant to follow. “This is how I could show up for others and also for myself,” she explains.