Restore healing to Christianity—
and bring it back to everyday life.
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The Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy (ISHA) equips modern practitioners and faith-centered healers with training that blends Christian foundations with hands-on healing and anointing with essential oils—for personal wellness, faith communities, and professional service settings.Â
This is ancient wisdom, practiced with present-day skill.
Our Vision
There is a healer in every home, community, church, and institution with the tools to serve and heal.
We envision a world where Christian faith and healing belong together again—practiced with compassion, courage, and integrity. We equip people to serve skillfully through Christ-centered formation and evidence-informed holistic methods that support body, mind, and spirit.
Our MissionÂ
Igniting healers worldwide by offering education in the art of energetic healing and aromatherapy, taught from the Judeo-Christian tradition, rooted in the laying-on of hands, prayer, and anointing.Â
ISHA provides faith-rooted education that equips students to integrate spiritual and scriptural healing practices—including prayer, laying-on of hands, and anointing with essential oils—within faith communities and service settings, while also supporting those called to establish private practices in hands-on healing, aromatherapy, and spiritual formation.
What Is ISHA?
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ISHA is an educational institute offering structured training in spiritual healing & aromatherapy—both used in complementary care, ministry settings, private practice, and personal wellness.
Our programs & classes are designed to be:
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Faith-rootedÂ
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PracticalÂ
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Supportive
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PurposefulÂ
Who We Serve
You belong here if you’re called to healing and you want training that feels both spiritually aligned and skillfully grounded—whether you are:
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A faith-centered healer seeking a Christian framework for hands-on healing
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A ministry leader, chaplain, or caregiver wanting to serve with confidence
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A wellness practitioner expanding your scope with spiritual and aromatherapy education
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A seeker who wants to deepen personal healing, prayer life, and wellness practices
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A professional exploring complementary approaches in a responsible, educated way
No perfection required. Just willingness, reverence, and a real desire to learn.
A Little History
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ISHA began with a simple, repeated question—asked by students across the country:
“How does this healing work fit with my faith?”Â
In the early 1990s, educator Linda Smith noticed a pattern: many students were drawn to hands-on healing, but struggled with language that felt disconnected from Christianity. Over time, a clear need emerged for teaching that honored Christian belief, prayer, and the laying-on of hands—without requiring people to translate the work into a faith framework on their own.Â
That need became Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry, launched as an independent program in 1997.
In 2000, an additional question opened the next door: how did the early church heal? Historical practice pointed to touch, prayer, and anointing with healing oils—not merely ordinary oils. That discovery led to an extensive investigation into essential oils and their place in healing traditions, and eventually to expanded training in aromatherapy.Â
By 2004, ISHA was founded to house these two training pathways—now serving hundreds of practitioners through structured certification programs.
In 2014, Margaret Leslie became the owner and president of ISHA, and the offices were moved to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Meet The Instructors
Friends of ISHA
ISHA is a 501(c)(3) NonprofitÂ
As a mission-driven institute, we exist to preserve and teach faith-centered healing practices with integrity and care. Your donation helps us expand access to training, develop educational resources, and strengthen the community of practitioners bringing compassionate service into churches, caregiving settings, and everyday life. Donations may be tax-deductible.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you’re deepening personal healing, serving in ministry, or building a professional path, ISHA offers training that helps you move forward with confidence, reverence, and practical skill.
Explore Our Programs & Classes