If you asked nationally acclaimed author Laurie Ann Levin 25 years ago what the future might hold for her, she would have offered an answer other than clinical psychology.

At the time, she was working in Los Angeles for one of the largest talent agencies in the world, representing the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson and Michael Keaton. Before long, she stepped into the role of a Hollywood movie producer, and was among one of the first women to sign her own production deal. To say she was successful would be putting it lightly at best.

Then when Laurie’s mother lost her battle with cancer she began to study and research the idea of life after life. Her years of self-reflection and soul searching led to the release of her best-selling memoir, “God, The Universe, and Where I Fit In.” It chronicles her personal and professional transformation from her highly successful career in Hollywood to an acclaimed psychologist, working to help others tap into their sense of intuition, as well as to teach people to call love and light into their lives.

Bill West, CEO of Taylor West Advertising and a close family friend of Levin’s, invited her to San Antonio in December for a book signing at San Antonio Country Club and partnered with The Twig Book Shop.

Since the release of her book, Levin has also been featured in The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, People Magazine, Redbook Magazine, The Larry King Live Blog, as well as the national morning talk show “The View.”

Laurie had always harbored a keen interest in something beyond the five known senses, and after hearing her mother speaking to someone unseen on her deathbed, decided to make a career change and returned to school. After completing her doctorate degree, Laurie was confident in the fact that she needed to open a holistic mental health institute that could act as a fresh change from the norm of psychology.

There might also be another reason you recognize the name Levin. Laurie is married to business mogul Jerry Levin, who is the former CEO of Time Warner Inc. Jerry was once considered the most powerful media executive in the world, and is still highly sought after for his business expertise since his resignation from the position in 2002.

Several years later, Jerry helped Laurie realize her dream and they founded the Moonview Sanctuary in Santa Monica, Calif. She says that her vision for Moonview was to establish an institute that would allow patients an experience that went beyond the usual for mental health and rehabilitation.

“I wanted to change the model of healthcare to the collective,” Laurie says. “Basic talk therapy is not for everyone.” The facility employs a variety of approaches, including equine therapy, Chinese medicine, art and music therapy, addiction therapy, family therapy and pain management, to name a few.

Moonview also boasts an army of doctors and practitioners, each considered to be experts in their respective fields. With the success of Moonview Sanctuary, Laurie decided it was time to write and release her memoir. She also has a patent pending on starting collective endeavors by calling on that which a person or group believes gives them intuition, whether that be a divine power or the guidance of the deceased.

As can be expected, her work and beliefs are not without their fair share of critics and skeptics. But when asked how she faces this type of challenge, she offers a surprisingly fair response.

“Skeptics are needed,” Laurie says. “They are needed in the same way that truth-seekers are needed,” adding that she understands that a lack of understanding can sometimes translate into doubt or disbelief. She encourages people to call on divinity in whatever form that takes for them.

Laurie and Jerry Levin had the opportunity to spend several days in San Antonio for the book signing. Laurie says she enjoys San Antonio’s rich culture, and of course, good food.

At the closing of her speech at the book signing, Laurie summed up her visit with three words: “I love Texas.”