I'm a Licensed Massage Therapist** in the state of Maryland, and I received my massage therapy training at Potomac Massage Training Institute, in Washington, DC (PMTI moved to Silver Spring, MD in 2014). I specialize in gentle and connected Deep Tissue focused work, including deep listening to both the body and energy, and I also enjoy providing Swedish relaxation massages. In 2020 and beyond, I have received additional training in distance healing energy work, and I've also been providing those services to interested clients.
I believe that our bodies are a great resource, and the more that we can learn to listen and respond to what our bodies are telling us, the healthier we will be, and the more joyful our lives will be. Regular massage and other bodywork can be a wonderful support as we strive to respect the messages that our bodies are sending us (enhancing the body/mind connection) and to translate what we learn to personal self-care. I believe that each massage session has the capacity to be a collaborative work of art, grounded in science, and that the combination of art and science together create the power of healing touch, which can be helpful with maintaining health and healing.
I believe that "regular" massage/bodywork is whatever serves you personally. If you think that massage and/or energy work might be a good tool for your own health and wellbeing, then trying several weekly or bi-weekly sessions could help you to make a decision about what will work best for you. "Regular" bodywork could be every week, every other week, once a month, or once or twice a year, depending on what you want to invest in time, money and energy, and what your goals are. I personally try to receive preventative/maintenance bodywork from another practitioner approximately once each week, and sometimes more if I'm having a particular issue with my body. Most of my clients see me every month or every few months (some once or twice a year, for the past several years).
I love working with people. I have a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree, and before I became a massage therapist, I spent 20 years serving people as a librarian (https://www.goodreads.com/librarianbodyworkerelissa), in public libraries in Washington, DC and NYC. I'm now greatly enjoying serving people in the field of personal healthcare. I believe passionately in the benefits of massage and other bodywork, and I also believe that it's up to each person to discover what types of self-care and wellness support/maintenance work best in her/his/their own life.
I live in Silver Spring, MD with my husband, 2 young adult children (at Goddard College and graduate of Ithaca College), and 2 cats. Massage therapy is just one of my bodywork/self-care interests, and I've also been practicing yoga for more than twenty one years, have meditated at least semi-regularly for fourteen years, and have practiced 5Rhythms dance for twelve years. Since graduating from PMTI, I've had additional introductory training in Trager, Shiatsu, Reiki, Seva Stress Release, The Connection Practice, Zero Balancing, Hellerwork, Distance Healing, Family Constellations, and Essential Oils. I am a Certified Pregnancy Massage Therapist (through https://www.clairemariemiller.com/nurturing-the-mother), and I'm also a certified Practitioner of Alchemical Alignment, Somatic Tools for Trauma Resolution and Embodiment of Spirit (https://www.alchemicalalignment.com/findapractitioner). Pronouns: she/they.
**MD license # M05204
