SWIHA Blog

Before attending the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Natalie Bowker felt called to help others yet wasn’t sure how. The Hypnotherapy program gave her the skills to guide clients which also led her on her own healing journey. Seeing profound transformations within her clients confirmed she was on the right path. Now, as the founder of Space Between Wellness LLC, she empowers others through hypnotherapy and coaching, integrating the lessons learned at SWIHA into her practice and personal life.

What was your life like before SWIHA? What led you to SWIHA and to your particular program of study? Why are you passionate about this modality?

Before attending SWIHA, I felt like I was living in survival mode 24/7, just trying to get through each day. The difficult experiences I faced in childhood, coupled with the lingering effects they left behind, made navigating adulthood feel overwhelming and impossible. From a tough and often abusive childhood to the lifelong impact of trauma, I was constantly juggling my roles as a human being, friend, daughter, sister, mother, and community member. At the same time, I was trying to manage the internal chaos that trauma left in its wake. Most importantly, I was learning how to genuinely care for myself and how to love myself. SWIHA was one of many baby steps I started implementing into my life.

At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we celebrate the journeys of our students and graduates—each unique, powerful, and transformative. Annmarie Lieto, a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program, shares her inspiring story of self-discovery, passion, and purpose.

Before SWIHA, Shelley had already impacted lives as an intuitive guide and yoga/meditation teacher. Despite her success, she felt something was missing. "I found that in the readings I provided clients, there was a feeling like I was left hanging," she shares. Shelley yearned to create a business rooted in integrity, where she could support clients fully and see them through their personal journeys.

What was your life like before SWIHA? What led you to SWIHA and to your particular program of study? Why are you passionate about this modality?

In 2022, I faced a pivotal moment: I was denied a promotion. A day before the interview, I was told to withdraw my application because, in their words, “You don’t have the skills I’m looking for.” This rejection shook me to my core. I spiraled into depression, sought counseling, and felt utterly alone, disconnected from the life I thought I had built. The old beliefs I had buried came rushing to the surface, leaving me speaking in a self-defeating and critical manner that pulled me even further down.

Tonya Cook’s story illustrates the unique intersection of coaching skills and end-of-life care. As a recent graduate of the Southwest Insitute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Tonya pursued the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner Diploma Program with a specialization in End of Life Doula. Her Journey highlights the profound role that compassionate coaching can play in supporting individuals and families through life’s final chapter.

At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), students come from diverse walks of life, each on a unique path of healing and transformation. Among them is Jaylin Fisher, a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program. Jaylin’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and a commitment to empowering women during one of life’s most transformative moments: childbirth.

Life is a journey; for Bri Senter, it has been a profound tapestry of challenges, triumphs, and transformation. As a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Bri’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of holistic coaching.

Before discovering SWIHA, Tanya had already achieved an impressive academic milestone—a Master’s Degree in Health and Human Performance. However, something vital was missing. Despite her knowledge of research methods, metabolic pathways, and academic writing, she longed for practical tools to genuinely help people transform their lives. “SWIHA provides this,” Tanya explains, emphasizing SWIHA’s unique, hands-on approach to holistic health education. Tanya’s journey is a shining example of how passion, education, and a deep commitment to helping others can converge into a meaningful career.

Coaching is more than a profession—it’s a calling to create safe spaces for transformation. Lori Dye, founder of Village of Islands Yoga & Wellness, embodies this ethos. Her journey from social work and hospitality to coaching and holistic wellness is a testament to the power of aligning passion with purpose.