Our Story
Kathleen Gould, Herbalist RH (AHG), discovered herbalism when teachers recommended medication to help her son focus. Seeking natural alternatives to medication, she immersed herself in plant medicine—a journey that became her life’s calling.
She studied with some of the most respected herbalists in the U.S., including Rosemary Gladstar, Tieraona Low Dog, MD, James Duke, Ph.D., Michael Tierra, David Hoffman, Patch Adams, and Susun Weed. By 2005, she started her third herb shop, SW Herb, alongside her business partner and late husband, Mike. In 2008 they joined forces with recently retired Madalyn Johnson in this current location in Mesa, AZ.
SW Herb was born from Kathy’s vision to share the “herbal queendom” with as many seekers as possible—people searching for better health, deeper knowledge, and a more connected way of living. She believed that understanding health and herbs was a God-given right, and she sought to guide others in nurturing the Herbalist Within.
Over 40 years she taught countless students, blending playfulness with deep wisdom. Many of her students became volunteer apprentices, helping to run the store and continuing to share Kathy’s teachings even after her passing.
Today, SW Herb is proudly owned by her son, Michael, and remains rooted in the community Kathy nurtured—one built on integrity, kindness, respect, community, inclusion, curiosity, and empowerment. Guided by these values, we honor her legacy by keeping the spirit of herbalism vibrant and alive for generations to come.
Our Team
Our team of skilled herbalists all trained for years as apprentices under Kathy at SW Herb. Together, they carry forward her legacy of sharing herbal wisdom and keeping her passion for plant medicine alive in the community.
Sheryl King
Executive Consultant, Empowerment Coach, & Herbalist
Having apprenticed and worked with Kathy for twelve years learning the art of herbal medicine, Sheryl also uses her coaching skills to assist clients in nurturing the herbalist within. To add continuity and preserve the legacy of SW Herb Shop and Gathering Place during this time of transition, she is honored to additionally incorporate her 38 years of business and leadership experience into guiding this talented team of herbalists into the next phase of SW Herb Shop.
Brenna Membrila
Herbalist Practitioner & Educator
Brenna is a family herbal practitioner and birth keeper who supports women, children, and families through a whole-istic vitalist lens. As both educator and clinician, her work is grounded in the body’s innate physiology and the energetic application of the plants. For over five years in the SW Herb community, she has supported families through birth, postpartum, chronic illness, and nourishment while also working in local herb shops and tending her own practice.
In addition to managing her own business and continuing her training with respected teachers, Brenna remains committed to the foundation established at SW Herb and acknowledges Kathy’s influential mentorship in shaping her path as an herbalist. Find her at the shop planning classes, guiding apprentices, making tea blends and providing consultations.
Kylie Prouty
Senior Herbalist & Owner of Valley to Rim Wellness
With over 12 years of experience exploring how plants and lifestyle practices can support deep healing, she is passionate about circadian health and believes that we, too, are nature. Her herbal journey began right here at SW Herb, where she completed all of our courses five years ago and was honored to apprentice under Kathy Gould for two years. She’s grateful to now be serving the community through SW Herb and looks forward to helping you connect with the Herbalist Within.
Diana McNaughton
Herbalist & Famers Market Specialist
Diana is a certified herbalist and brings her knowledge of herbs to the Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market each week. She received her certification through SW Herb in 2015 followed by 4-years of apprenticeship shadowing Kathy Gould. Diana has received ongoing education through the 3-day Boston International Herbal Symposium (IHS) in 2015 and the Durango Good Medicine Confluence in 2017 and 2018. She looks forward to meeting and assisting you with whatever your herbal needs may be.
Contact Info:
Stop by and say hello at the market or call Diana at (602) 689–1474 to pick up SW Herb products.
Our Therapists
Javante Battle
Javante has practiced Reiki for 6+ years and has actively been teaching Reiki alongside his wife Betty for 3+ years. His inspiration into the Practice of Reiki was & still is to experience the Transcendent Force that functions independently of Human nature, through the practice of Energy Cultivation. In doing so he’s uncovered a simple and effective tool that can influence change, healing and growth in one’s life. His areas of focus include energy healing: past life healing, in-person & distant healing, meditation coaching, and men’s support.
Contact Info:
Phone: (480)-233-9583
Website: universoulhealing.energy
Isabel Rodriguez
Isabel has been a licensed massage therapist in Arizona for a little over 12 years. She offers deep tissue, hot stone, prenatal massage, sports related massage, and swedish massage. She received her training through Pima Medical Institute and has recently received further training to be a licensed yoga instructor through Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA).
Contact Info:
Phone: (480) 200–0432
Email Isabel for appointments.
Betty Battle
Betty brings forth healing through her work as a Reiki Teacher, Birth Doula, and UH’s Creative Planning Director. She embodies the essence of the True Divine Feminine, her experiences as a mother of 4 and wife of 10+ years help to bring awareness and wisdom to her sacred energy work. Her areas of focus include birth doula, energy healing (in-person and distant healing), and women’s support. Experience a grounding and nourishing healing session by booking with Betty!
Contact Info:
Phone: (480)-233-9583
Website: universoulhealing.energy
Dr. Colleen Brown, DVM
Dr. Brown offers a wide array of specialty services for your cat, dog or horse! This includes wellness and prevention, vaccines and titers, sick or injured non-emergency, lab and adjunct services, online pharmacy, quality of life assessments, in-home euthanasia, and cremation. Additionally, she specializes in traditional Chinese medicine for cats, dogs and horses such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and food therapy
Contact Info:
brownvetservices.com