Meet the Founder of Althea Academy
Rev. Michelle Schwarz, EdD, PhD


Dr. Michelle Schwarz is a Metaphysical Minister, an educator and a Holistic Life Coach with a Master's in Metaphysical Science, a Doctorate in Education (EdD) in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and a Doctorate in Holistic Life Coaching (PhD).  

She blends her academic expertise with transformational coaching to inspire authentic growth. As the Founder of Althea Academy, she has created a home for self-love, personal development, and transformation.  

Through teaching, coaching, and creating empowering programs, her mission is to help individuals embrace their whole selves, unlock their potential, and lead lives of purpose, meaning, and courage.

Doctor of Holistic Life Coaching

As a Doctor of Philosophy specializing in Holistic Life Coaching, I bring a unique integration of academic research, professional training, and heart-centered practice to every client I serve. My doctoral dissertation from the University of Sedona, Transformative Effects of Holistic Life Coaching on Personal and Professional Development, explored how coaching that addresses the whole person—mind, body, spirit, and environment—creates deeper, lasting change than approaches that only focus on one area of life.

Unlike many coaches who specialize narrowly in one niche, my holistic perspective allows me to guide people from diverse walks of life. Whether you are seeking clarity in your career, healing in relationships, improved health and vitality, or greater spiritual alignment, I help you uncover the root patterns that hold you back and empower you to step into your fullest potential.    

My training combines rigorous professional standards, evidence-based methods, and transformative tools with intuitive, compassionate guidance: 
  • International Coaching Federation (ICF) - This Life Coaching training ensures my practice meets the highest global standards of ethics, skills, and professionalism.
  • National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBH-WC) - This health and wellness training equips me with science-backed strategies to help clients achieve sustainable behavior change in health and lifestyle. 
  • Certified HeartMath® Practitioner™ - This heart-brain coherence training allows me to teach techniques that regulate stress, increase resilience, and create heart-brain coherence, tools that clients can use immediately to shift their emotional and physiological state.
  • Certified 500-Hour Meditation Teacher - This training deepens my ability to guide clients in mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation practices that restore balance, clarity, and inner peace.
  • Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) - This technique provides me with powerful strategies for reframing thoughts, language, and behavior patterns to accelerate personal growth.
  • Shadow Work Facilitation - This deep work enables me to help my clients integrate hidden or suppressed parts of themselves, turning inner blocks into sources of strength and authenticity.
  • Motivational Interviewing - This technique gives me with evidence-based conversational tools to help clients uncover intrinsic motivation and take empowered, lasting action.
What makes working with me different is the holistic lens I bring. I do not see you as a problem to be fixed, but as a whole person with untapped wisdom and potential.  Together, we bring the practical and the spiritual, the scientific and the intuitive, to create transformation that touches every dimension of your life.  

If you are ready to discover not just what you do, but who you are meant to become, I will walk beside you as a guide, a mentor, and a partner in your transformation.

Metaphysical Minister

In addition to my academic and professional training, I am an ordained Metaphysical Minister through the International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM). This ordination reflects my deep commitment to spiritual growth, universal wisdom, and the integration of mind, body, and spirit in personal transformation.

Being a Metaphysical Minister means I approach coaching and guidance from a place of wholeness, inclusivity, and spiritual awareness. I honor all paths and traditions while recognizing that each client's journey is unique. This foundation allows me to create a safe, sacred space where clients can explore not only their goals and challenges, but also their deeper meaning, purpose and connection to the divine.

As a Metaphysical Minister, I am able to offer:
  • Spiritual guidance that complements coaching, helping clients connect to their inner wisdom and higher self.
  • Rituals and ceremonies for healing, empowerment, or life transitions (such as blessings, intention-setting, or sacred circles).
  • Meditations and metaphysical practices that restore balance, deepen clarity, and support manifestation.
  • Compassionate coaching that addresses not just the practical, but also the spiritual and emotional aspects of life.
This ministerial background enhances my work as a holistic life coach by giving clients the opportunity to go beyond surface-level changes. Together, we work at the intersection of personal development and spiritual awakening. This result is transformation that it is not only practical and measurable, but also deeply meaningful and soul-aligned.

Whether you are seeking life purpose, emotional healing, or a stronger spiritual foundation, I bring both the structure of evidence-based coaching and the sacred presence of a minister to support your journey.

Teaching Philosophy:
Self-Determination Theory

As an educator, coach, and lifelong learner, I believe that the most profound and lasting growth occurs when students are empowered to take ownership of their learning journey. My teaching philosophy is rooted in Self-Determination Theory, which emphasizes that human beings thrive when three core psychological needs are met: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

I create learning environments that:
  • Foster Autonomy - I encourage students to make meaningful choices in their learning process by providing opportunities for them to explore, question, and apply concepts in ways that align with their goals, values, and unique paths. By empowering them to direct their growth, I cultivate intrinsic motivation and a sense of personal responsibility.
  • Develop Competence - Learning flourishes when students feel capable and confident. I design experiences that balance challenge with support, offering clear instruction, constructive feedback, and real-world application. My aim is to help students not only acquire knowledge but also develop the skills and self-belief to apply it effectively in their professional and personal lives.
  • Build Relatedness - True transformation happens in a safe and connected community. I prioritize genuine relationships, active listening, and spirit of collaboration. In every interaction, I strive to create an atmosphere where students feel respected, supported, and inspired to contribute their voices and perspectives.
Through the lens of Self-Determination Theory, teaching becomes more than the transfer of knowledge - it becomes an act of empowerment. My role is to guide, inspire, and equip learners to step into their fullest potential, knowing that they are capable, autonomous, and deeply connected to a greater purpose.

Adjunct Instructor at
the University of the People

As part of my commitment to expanding access to education, I serve as an Adjunct Instructor with University of the People, the world’s first non-profit, tuition-free, accredited online university. In this role, I have the privilege of teaching and mentoring students from across the globe, many of whom would not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue higher education.

My work with UoPeople allows me to give back to the global community by supporting diverse learners, fostering academic excellence, and contributing to a mission that is reshaping what higher education can look like—accessible, inclusive, and transformative. I believe that high-quality education should not be limited by geography, finances, or circumstance, and I am honored to be part of a university that embodies this vision.  

Through this service, I empower students to reach their academic and professional goals, while also advancing the mission of creating learning environments that uplift, inspire, and change lives.  

These are the courses that I teach:  

School of Education:  

Assessment and Evaluation
Curriculum Design & Instructional Decision Making
Education in Context: History, Philosophy, and Sociology
Learning Theory & Implications for Instruction
Online Education Strategies  

School of Business Administration:  

Business Policy and Strategy
Consumer Behavior
E-Commerce
Multinational Management
Organizational Behavior
Strategic Management

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