Holistic Studies Institute of New York was founded in 1977 by Rev. Stephen C. Robinson and Rev. Alice M. Hughes, two liberal Spiritualist Ministers, who envisioned an organization dedicated to the enlightenment of the human mind, nurturance of the body and upliftment of the soul. Since its inception, HSI flourished as a holistic learning center, with its National Headquarters located in Albany, New York.   More recently HSI has expanded its full services to New York City, with a convenient mid-town Manhattan location.

The Organization

HSI is a non-profit corporation, incorporated in New York State. It is a recognized 501C 3 religious corporation by the US Internal Revenue Service. HSI is authorized to operate as a Spiritualist Organization, which is recognized by the US Federal Government.

HSI has a general membership which holds an annual meeting to enact by-laws, conduct business and elect its Board of Trustees. This Board of six trustees manages HSI on a month to month basis throughout the year. The Board is the ultimate authority in the organization; it establishes all policies, rules and ethical standards. The Executive Director carries out and enforces the policies of the Board and manages the day to day business of HSI. The staff at HSI consists of an Associate Director, Office Manager,  Bookstore Manager, Administrative Assistants, a faculty of Certified Teachers, Certified Séance Conductors, Intuitive Counselors, Certified Hypnotherapists, Ordained Ministers and Teaching Coordinators.

Our faculty of Certified Teachers are graduates of HSI’s  Professional Development Programs and our Advanced Teacher Training Courses. Teachers hold the credentials necessary to teach in their particular specialty.   Prospective faculty members they must show exceptional aptitude before they are selected to teach. The Teaching Coordinators are senior members of our teaching staff, who act as supervisors and trainers to teachers. As a support to each teacher and class, Teaching Coordinators will visit our classes to observe, make suggestions for improvement and ensure uniformity and quality of material presented throughout the learning center.

The Function of HSI

The Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws of HSI authorize and empower it to operate on four major levels:

Holistic Learning Center

HSI functions as a holistic learning center. It has established intuitive arts educational programs, courses, workshops, etc. These programs are designed to train and prepare individuals to become certified to practice in the various holistic professions. These training programs currently include Psychic-Mediumship Development, Therapeutic Touch, Hypnotherapy, Reiki and Intuitive Counseling.

HSI is affiliated with the American Board of Holistic Practitioners (ABHP), which is a Professional Certifying Association and provider of Continuing Education Units. The Intuitive Counseling Program,  Psychic Development Program, Reiki Program and the Therapeutic Touch Program at HSI are all accredited by the ABHP. Students receive a specific number of contact hours or CEUs for each level completed in any given program. Additionally, the New York State Nurses Association has approved HSI's Therapeutic Touch course for 35 contact hours. Contact hours or CEUs are recognized by most of the licensing boards for re-licensure and re-certification.

A number of our graduates have also received undergraduate credit at a number of colleges and universities. The schools, which have offered credit for "life experience," here at HSI, are the College of St. Rose, Russell Sage College, Empire State College of the State University of New York, and Skidmore College. If you are a student, check with your advisor about receiving credit for your studies here at HSI. Your school may require some additional work such as writing an essay describing what you have learned. They may also require that you support your essay with documentation; HSI provides this upon request. Once completing a learning program or course at HSI, students will receive a letter or certificate of completion indicating the number of CEU's they have earned.

Certifying Body

One of the major functions of HSI’s Board of Trustees is to certify individuals in the intuitive arts. It has established various classifications of Professional Certification and it sets standards, criteria, and codes of ethics. The following are the certification titles, programs and the minimum requirements for each title,  which HSI currently offers at its National Headquarters in Albany, New York:

• Certified Psychic-Medium -- Completion of level 3 Psychic Development Course

• Certified HSI Teacher – Completion of Level 3 Psychic Development and Advanced Teacher Training Course and recommendation of HSI’s Board of Trustees

• Certified Séance Conductor -- Completion of Level 2 Psychic Development, recommendation of Teacher, and completion of Séance Conductor Training Course

• Ordained Minister – Completion of Level 3 Psychic development and Intuitive Counselor Course, Membership in HSI’s Spiritualist Center, and completion of HSI’s Spiritualist Seminary Program

The American Board of Holistic Practitioners provides certification for those completing select courses at HSI. The following are the certification titles, programs and the minimum requirements for each title,  which HSI currently offers at its New York City location as well as at the National Headquarters in Albany, New York:

• Certified Therapeutic Touch Practitioner – Completion of HSI’s Therapeutic Touch Practitioner’s Course.

• Certified Intuitive Counselor – Completion of HSI’s Intuitive Counselor Course

• Certified Reiki Practitioner I & II – Completion of HSI’s Reiki I & II Practitioner Course

• Certified Reiki Master – Completion of HSI’s Reiki Master Level Course

Spiritualist Seminary

HSI’s Spiritualist Seminary provides the advanced educational programs specific to the teachings of the religion of Spiritualism for the purpose of training ministers in preparation for Ordination into the Ministry. Ministers are legally authorized to perform marriage ceremonies, funeral services, conduct chapel services, naming ceremonies and other services performed by the recognized religion of Spiritualism.

Spiritualist Center

HSI also functions as a Spiritualist Center, which has a general membership and an Ordained Clergy Person assigned to the position of Executive Director to perform customary ministerial services. The Center holds Chapel Services and performs marriage ceremonies, and funerals. At the major holidays, the Spiritualist Center conducts special services. At Christmas, the Center holds a beautiful candlelight service. It also holds special services at Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, and Easter.