I am married with 2 children. Massage was the farthest thing from my mind a few years ago. I was beginning to realize I needed to make a career change and began considering different possibilities. During the time I was gathering and weighing my options, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. It turned out to be a very aggressive type of cancer and within a year my siblings and I were helping my mother with her end-of-life care. During this period of 3 weeks massage therapists came to our home and massaged my mother. I was amazed at the response such a simple thing could bring. She slept better, and was more alert when she was awake. It calmed her and reduced her pain. My sister suggested massage therapy as a career for me, but I wasn’t in a state of mind to consider a career like that, and besides what would my husband think, so I shrugged it off.

It wasn’t until later that my husband suggested I become a massage therapist. The suggestion from him was so random that I began to realize this as the option I was looking for. It has been a decision I have not regretted in the least. Helping people meet their health goals, manage their pain, and reduce their stress has been amazingly fulfilling and fun. It seems like such a simple thing, massage, but it has a very gentle and profound effect on the one receiving the care.

I am a member of the ABMP, and I have continued to take massage related courses. I am looking forward to meeting you and helping you achieve and maintain your sense of wellbeing.

I graduated from massage school in 1995. I love being a massage therapist. I still, even after this much time, think it beats a real job. I’ve loved every job I had. I was a veterinary technician I worked in blood banking for 10 years. I enjoy helping people. I have also taught massage therapy at The Cottonwood School of Massage. Teaching classes such as deep tissue, Swedish massage, anatomy and physiology allows me to take something I enjoy and feel passionate about and share that gift with future massage therapists. In 2002, I completed a yoga teacher certification course. Although I’m not currently teaching yoga, I will often recommend yoga classes to my clients, or give them stretches to help with muscular concerns they may have. I feel massage is more than a luxury, but a way to help heal, to prevent injuries and to be nurtured in a healthy safe way.