SWIHA Blog

As a small child, I would often stare up at the sky and ask, “Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing?” Not many children my age were asking questions like that—it’s not exactly a typical childhood thought. Yet there was always a sense of being different, like coming from somewhere else… another planet, perhaps. Big questions about life came naturally, along with a deep sensitivity to the emotions of others.

Stepping into adulthood in 2020 meant navigating a world full of uncertainty. For Makena Doyle, it also meant questioning the traditional paths she once believed she had to follow. When she discovered Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), she found an education that helped her reconnect with her intuition, rediscover her passions, and begin building a life centered around helping others.

Today, as a graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program, Makena is using the skills she developed to support families in her community while building a coaching program focused on strengthening connections between parents and children.

Healing journeys rarely begin in perfect circumstances. More often, they start in moments when life asks us to rebuild, rediscover ourselves, and choose a new path forward. For Sabrina Kampmeier, that path led her to Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), where she transformed her own experiences of healing into a calling to support others through spiritual guidance, Reiki, and botanical ceremony work.

After graduating from SWIHA’s Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program, with a concentration in Spiritual Studies and Healing Botanical Ceremonies, Sabrina now blends her life experiences, spiritual training, and heart-centered approach to support clients on their own healing journeys.

For many students at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), the path to holistic healing begins with a deeply personal journey. For recent graduate Alissa Germond, that journey was shaped by grief, transformation, and a powerful desire to support others during life’s most vulnerable moments.

Today, Alissa is stepping into her calling as an End-of-Life Doula and Spiritual Coach, using the skills she developed through SWIHA’s Integrative Healing Arts program to offer compassionate care to individuals and families navigating difficult transitions.

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.