B.S. in Recreation Administration – University of Florida
Master of Liberal Arts in Religion – Thomas Edison State College
Master of Pastoral Counseling – The Florida Religious Studies Institute
D.D. – American Institute of Holistic Theology
Reginald Ashby is an ordained minister, author,
pastoral counselor, researcher and yoga teacher. He founded
the Sema Institute and the Sheti Association, which are dedicated
to the teachings of mystical spirituality and the rich, reverent
traditions of ancient Egypt and India.
Born in Manhattan, Ashby grew up in the
Caribbean and calls himself a “transformed businessman.”
He and his wife, Vijaya Ashby, DVM, have written
more than 20 books on topics related to yoga, prayer, mystical
histories, healing, spiritual transformation, proverbs, metaphysics,
and inner wisdom, power, peace and joy.
Ashby joined AIHT in 1995.
Jerry Bartholow
B.S. in Finance – Stetson University
Unity School of Christianity of Kansas City, Missouri
Reverend Jerry Bartholow is minister of Unity Church of Birmingham,
Alabama. His background in the business world is varied, having worked successfully as a stockbroker and financial planner
for many years. Bartholow began his Unity ministry in 1980.
Reverend Bartholow founded the Humanistic Institute
in Atlanta, Georgia teaching Alpha Theta Meditation, nutrition
and metaphysical studies and yoga. The Institute also included
a metaphysical bookstore, a health food store and restaurant.
His book, Peace Soup: The Recipe for
a Peaceful Life in the New Millennium, has been successful
in providing a practical guide to holistic living. At Unity,
he continues to teach Alpha-Theta Meditation among other classes
in theology.
Reverend Bartholow joined AIHT in 2005.
Jutta von Buchholtz
B.A. in German and French – Samford University
M.A. in Comparative Literatures – Vanderbilt University
M.A. in Counseling and Guidance – University of Alabama at Birmingham
Ph.D. in Medieval German Literature – Vanderbilt University
Diplomate Analyst – C.G. Jung Institute – Zurich Switzerland
Certificate – Institute for Transpersonal Psychology, California
Jutta von Buchholtz considers her calling to be that of a spiritual midwife, to witness and assist in an individual’s journey of re-connecting with the soul’s true home. With clients in several Southern states, and a lecture schedule that takes her throughout the U.S. and beyond, students have nicknamed their teacher a “gypsy analyst.”
She is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Graduates in Analytical Psychology and is involved in the training of Jungian analysts at the New Orleans IRSJA Seminar as well as at the Jung Institute in Switzerland.
Carl Gustaf Jung thought that modern man’s/woman’s true disease results
from a loss of connection to soul. In her writings and teachings over the years, Jutta has focused on addressing archetypal energies as they express themselves in our everyday lives: be it as dreams, in fairy tales, in our relationship with people as well as animals, or shadowy complexes that perplex us, or tears, as they offer a genuine path to our deeper connection to the Source.
Jutta’s approach to look at life symbolically paves a way to help students and clients work with, understand and release anxieties, explore the multiple meanings of depression, and open the doors to invite meaningful new possibilities.
Sonia Choquette
B.S. in Metaphysics – American Institute of Holistic Theology
M.S. in Metaphysics – American Institute of Holistic Theology
Ph.D. in Metaphysics – American Institute of Holistic Theology
A world-renowned psychic, alchemist, healer, teacher and AIHT
graduate, Sonia Choquette’s focus is in Psychic Arts and Metaphysical
Law. She studied at the University of Denver and the Sorbonne
in Paris, and has written ten best-selling books published
in 17 countries. Her book, Your Heart's Desire,
was rated as one of the 10 best courses to change your life
by New Woman magazine. Several of her books are used
in AIHT's curriculum.
Her passions are history, art and mastery
of Tarot, esoteric astrology, card divination and Western
Kabalah and vibrational healing. She has been on several television
programs and featured in magazines such as New Woman, USA
Today, Body, Mind and Soul and The Chicago Tribune.
Sonia's mission is to guide people to awaken
the spirit within and build a solid psychic scaffolding to
support their greatest, most direct connection with God. She
is a personal psychic advisor to such New Thought masters as Louise
Hay, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss and Julia Cameron.
Choquette joined AIHT in 2003.
George Donnelly
B.S. in General Studies – St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY
Doctor of Chiropractic – Life College School of Chiropractic, Atlanta, GA
It was during chiropractic school that George Donnelly became fascinated with the innumerable methods and modalities of homeostatic mind/body/spirit health and the diverse wisdom within our society’s fast-unfolding human potential movement.
Through years of teaching community-based cooking and nutrition classes, and a prosperity series at various Unity Churches, George and his wife—who are both chiropractors—have also led Touch of Light seminars in network spinal analysis and quantum touch.
His favorite getaways often involve educational travel: twice for low-residency metaphysical programs at The Ramtha School of Enlightenment in Washington; and, more recently, for naturopathic intensives at the S.W. Florida health ranch of Gary Null, Ph.D.
At home or on the road, George’s personal practices include Reiki, Alpha Theta meditation, and a progressive yoga program called The Five Tibetans, which emphasizes self-paced flexibility and strength training. “Creating a more peaceful mind space (with yoga) is another nice benefit,” he concludes.
J. Stephen Jones
B.S. in Political Science – Auburn University
M.Div. – Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
James Stephen Jones served in numerous ministry positions
while in seminary, including inner-city work in Louisville, Kentucky, at
the Jefferson Street Baptist Chapel and the Walnut Street Baptist Church.
Upon graduation, he served in a pastoral intern/mentor program under Dr.
Ben Waggoner from 1980 until 1982 at the Orange Baptist Church in Orange,
Virginia. For seven years (1982-1989), Jones was the senior pastor at the
Salem Baptist Church in Sparta, Virginia, a rural congregation of approximately
three hundred members. For ten years (1989-1999), Jones served as the senior
pastor of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia, an urban/suburban
congregation of approximately four hundred and fifty members. From 1999 to
the present, he has served as the senior pastor of the Southside Baptist
Church in Birmingham, Alabama, a diverse urban congregation of approximately
five hundred members.
Reverend Jones is a gifted preacher and pastoral leader.
In each of the aforementioned churches, he guided the congregations with
a focus on fulfillment of their call to Christian discipleship, community
awareness and engagement, inclusiveness and reconciliation, and to seeking
a greater place of involvement in the interfaith community. Reverend Jones
has proven to be a leader in Birmingham in the push for multicultural understanding
and partnerships. He serves on numerous active community boards and ecclesiastical
organizations, but his first passion remains his congregation. He is married
to Elizabeth Harris Jones, a teacher of hospice care, and they have one son,
Aaron Stephen Jones.
Joan Scott Lowe
B.S. in Nursing – Capstone College of Nursing – University of Alabama
B.A. in Humanities – New College – University of Alabama
M.P.H. – School of Public Health – University of Alabama at Birmingham
Joan Scott Lowe is a registered nurse and licensed massage therapist. She is certified in Classical Homeopathy (CCH), and has completed postgraduate studies with the International Foundation for Homeopathy. As a member of the North American Society of Homeopaths (NASH), in 2001 she received the RSHom-NA designation from the Royal Society of Homeopaths, North America.
Having worked in hospitals and home health agencies prior to establishing her holistic health practice in 1993, Joan has also served as a church musician throughout her adult life. She recently completed the Music for Healing and Transition Program (MHTP), a self-paced healing music training series, for which she won an independent scholarship. MHTP recognizes the timeless power of music as a therapeutic enhancement to mind/body/spirit healing and the life/death transition.
She has published numerous case studies in Simillimum and Homeopathic Links, and is now working on a book that documents healing miracles with homeopathy and other natural health modalities.
Lowe joined AIHT in 1999
.
Andrea Mathews
B.S. in Sociology and Psychology – Judson College
M.A. in Agency Counseling – University of Alabama at Birmingham
D.D. – University of Metaphysics
Andrea Mathews’ expertise encompasses mental health, addictions and transpersonal
therapy.
She has been an Inpatient Clinical
Director and Corporate Clinical Consultant at Bradford Health
Services, Director of Clinical Services at Psychpartners,
LLC and Program Director/Clinical Director at Alethia House.
In her private practice, Mathews focuses on PTSD,
gay and lesbian issues, sexual trauma, relationships and psychosocial
health. She teaches and gives lectures on mental
health and holistic healing. She is a published writer of
literary presses as well as author of four psychological/metaphysical
books. Beginning in 2008, she has hosted Authentic Living Internet radio series with interview guests Joan Borysenko, Neale Donald Walsch and others.
Mathews joined AIHT in 2006.
David E. Myers
B.A. in Psychology – University of Cincinnati
M.A. in Psychology – University of South Florida
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology – University of South Florida
David Myers began his training in experiential psychotherapies early in his career as a Psychologist/Psychotherapist with a focus on gestalt, bioenergetics, psychomotor, and psychodynamic therapies. His academic experience included traditional training such as statistical work, abstracting data, research analysis, psychopathology and clinical theory—but left a hunger for more dynamic interactions with people.
As his interests grew beyond traditional psychology, he explored approaches related to the intuitive, universal mind. These included further experiential, personal growth processes that allowed for more personal freedom and spiritual exploration. This growth began with a Vision Quest with the Animus Valley Institute and was followed by the Advanced Medicine Wheel training with Alberto Villodo, Ph.D. Next he completed a three-year program in Soul Transformation and Repatterning (STAR), seeking an integration of psychotherapy and spirituality. This work included two trips to Mexico to experience indigenous healers, and one trip to Peru accompanied by Juan del Nunez del Prado, an anthropologist skilled in Incan traditions.
Focusing on a progressive integration of mind, body, and spirit to connect emotions and behavior on a “journey into wholeness,” his work acknowledges that each path is different and unique: so that each individual may strive to optimize his or her greatest human potential.
Myers joined AIHT in 2008.
Aleesa J. Naish
B.A. in Music – Stetson University
M.A. in Church Music – Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Aleesa Naish’s personal experience with theology
began at birth! As a “preacher’s kid” who grew up
alongside music and ministry in Miami, FL, she is an accomplished musician
and educator.
Naish has worked with congregations and community youth
groups in Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Alabama. She has
served as a minister of music and youth, within local churches and in
association with regional groups, and also performed at music conferences.
Within
higher education Naish has served as assistant to the performing arts
dean at Samford University, and as an adjunct music instructor at the
University of Alabama at Birmingham. AIHT welcomes her talented leadership,
as an adjunct faculty member in holistic theology.
Jeannine Pope-Carter
B.A. – University of Missouri-Columbia
M.S. – University of Missouri-Columbia
M.Div. – Emory University’s Candler School of Theology
Jeannine Pope-Carter has served in two roles with AIHT: initially as an
academic advisor, and now as an adjunct faculty member. Previously she worked for ten years as a technical writer and software team manager. It was during this time that she felt a call to ministry, and earned a full graduate scholarship to Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.
Her focus there, and in subsequent employment, was in pastoral care and hospice chaplaincy—within clinical and home settings. Her professional and personal ministry encompasses “all things story-related,” which is otherwise known as narrative theology.
Jeannine combines her skills as a facilitator, peer counselor and writer to focus on pastoral care, coaching, and spiritual direction via religious education and workshops. Additionally, she enjoys performing in community theatre.
She joined AIHT in 2007.
Annette Reynolds
B.S. in Health Arts – College of St. Francis, Joliet IL
M.P.S. – Art Therapy and Creative Development – Pratt Institute
Annette Reynolds is a licensed professional healer with more than 35 years’ experience. She has served as President of the Alabama Art Therapy Association,
Director of The Labyrinth Project of Alabama, founding member of The Labyrinth
Society, and a REMO Health Rhythms Group Empowerment Drum Circle Facilitator.
Annette has worked in a wide variety of educational and health care settings with
individuals and groups of all ages and abilities, and as a CPE Interfaith Hospital Chaplain.
Through her travels as a presenter, pilgrim, and volunteer, Reynolds has worked at Chartres Cathedral in France, with Mother Teresa in India, and facilitated
workshops at Arts and Creativity Conferences in Russia, Lithuania, and the Czech
Republic. With Art Reach Foundation, whose mission is to provide healing and hope
to children of war, she trained teachers and worked with children in Bosnia. She
has collected and distributed school supplies and sports equipment in
Guinea, West Africa. Her work through service is multidimensional, weaving together
the physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Reynolds has presented hundreds of workshops and events nationally
and internationally, including the American Art Therapy Association, The Labyrinth
Society, American Society of Dowsers Convention, Journey into Wholeness, Inc.
and the Omega Institute. Annette has authored many labyrinth articles, and has been interviewed
for videos, newspapers, TV, and magazines, including “Prevention.”
Her photograph “Seaside Labyrinth” (c 1997) has been featured on the
cover of many books and Web sites. She nurtures her creative expression through
art, ritual, co-creating sacred spaces, singing, and dance. Annette believes that
the creative process in itself is healing and that everyone’s life is art.
Reynolds joined AIHT in 2006.
Frances W. Ward
B.A. in English – University of Massachusetts
M.S. in Humanities – Dartmouth College
Ph.D. in Metaphysics – American Institute of Holistic Theology
Educational Specialist in Counseling – College of William and Mary
Fran Ward is a member of MENSA, the national “high-IQ
society” for those who score in the top two percentile on standardized
intelligence tests. She has given international lectures on writing and other creative pursuits.
With AIHT she has focused her creative genius on developing
and marketing several of our bachelors, masters and doctoral degree curricula.
Ward joined AIHT in 1994.
Leslie West
B.A. in Communication Arts – University of Alabama at Birmingham
M.S. in Library Science – University of Alabama
Leslie West is one of those people who really loves books. Since the 1990s
she has brought leadership, scholarly insight, order, and a great sense of fun
to five college, city, and community libraries, and AIHT was delighted when Leslie joined our faculty.
Leslie serves in a number of scholastic leadership organizations,
and specializes in the study of metaphysics. Over the years she has assembled a rare treasure trove of metaphysical books within
the public library setting, and loves to engage patrons in developing holistic
book groups.
Since 2000, she has consulted as a technical reviewer for master's theses
and doctoral dissertations with a number of distance learning colleges and universities.
