About Us

Michelle later joined Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, where for 19 years she managed multiple programs that provided services to families involved with DCF. She was a Senior Manager, developed their customer service initiative, led legislative advocacy efforts, and planned agency wide wellness events. Her passion for keeping family and young people’s voices at the table, focusing on strengths, and emphasizing mindfulness in a high stress work environment were priorities until her departure in April 2018 to focus on opening Synergy.

Michelle’s desire to provide holistic services to personal and professional caregivers is an extension of her personal and professional life. Michelle is a wife to her loving husband, mom to her much adored grade school son, and daughter to her aging mother who recently moved to Massachusetts. Michelle loves to cook, garden, kayak, and she lives with her family and two cats in Westborough. She is grateful for the generosity and kindness of many family and friends who have helped fulfill her dream of opening a center for well being.

Melissa Ferman, Director of Operations

New to the wellness industry but not new to helping others, Melissa is a creative, hardworking team player with many years of customer service experience.  She has built her career in different industries involving consumer goods, design, and health.  She has over 25 years of customer service experience, and over 10 years of management experience.  She brings a diverse skillset to the Operations Director position and is excited to help further Synergy’s mission of supporting one another.  Melissa is passionate about creating positive and genuine relationships and is always ready to lend a hand or an ear to listen, as she believes the true reason we are here is to help one another.

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Michelle Bernier-Capaldo, LMHC, Practice Manager

Michelle is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has been practicing for 9 years.  She received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Framingham State University in 2010. Throughout her training, Michelle has provided therapeutic services to a culturally diverse clientele including adults, adolescents, children, and families that live with mental illness and substance abuse.  Michelle has been dedicated to early childhood development and improving the lives of children and families through emotional and behavioral support, advocacy and community outreach.

Michelle has experience providing diagnostic evaluations and therapy services to treat a wide range of complaints including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, self-esteem, social skill building, and life transitions.  Michelle’s therapeutic style is supportive, Solution-Focused with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach. She believes that therapy is a collaborative effort and she offers individualized treatment to meet each of her client’s unique needs and challenges.

Michelle’s goal is to reduce the stigma of seeking counseling, to help her clients develop emotional wellness, and to improve their relationships and daily functioning. She is committed to supporting her clients by providing the tools that will help them better understand their experience and to find solutions for their challenges. 

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Michelle Stakutis, LMHC, Clinial Director

I believe that counseling can help us uncover our authentic selves and our strengths so we can meet life’s challenges with self-compassion and confidence. We can all grow and heal from old patterns, painful experiences, and trauma. My work is client-centered, strength-based, and I strive to be fully accepting and inclusive. It is my priority to provide a safe space to allow clients to explore their feelings and participate in the creative process of self discovery, healing and change. I am trained in CBT, DBT skills, pain management, and my work is trauma-sensitive.

I obtained my MA in Counseling with a holistic concentration at Lesley University in 1997, and have a background in science and public health. In over 20 years as an LMHC, I have worked with young adults as a bilingual clinician in middle and high school, with children and families in community mental health centers and with students in a college setting.

I am also a certified yoga teacher through Breathe for Change and teach social-emotional wellness strategies and the use of mindfulness-based techniques.  While my practice is informed by science and evidence-based treatment, it is grounded in compassion, relationship and mutual trust. When I’m not working, I love spending time outside in nature and in the mountains, listening to music and hiking with my dogs.

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Karen Mill, Human Resources Business Partner

With 25+ years of experience in Human Resources, Karen has worked in the Supply Chain/Transportation, Software, Manufacturing and Managed Healthcare industries.  She has had responsibility for many HR functions including employee engagement, performance management, talent acquisition and management, on-boarding, training, multi-state benefits, employee wellness and corporate social responsibility. Karen has been a strong advocate for employee wellness, mindfulness and mental health. She enjoys building strong trusting working relationships with both managers and employees and has a strong commitment to providing excellent customer service to Human Resources’ customers throughout the organization.  

Karen enjoy the beaches in Maine, gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends and with her animals including her dog Marlee. As someone who values the importance of the health and wellness of mind, body and spirit, Karen is excited to be part of the Synergy Wellness Team.

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Tayisha Santiago – Medical Billing Manager

Tayisha has degrees in Medical Billing and Coding, one from Massachusetts and one from Puerto Rico, with fourteen years of experience working in medical field. Tayisha graduated top of her class and was always on the Dean’s List for excellency. Tayisha has a beautiful miracle daughter after experiencing infertility for thirteen years. She loves traveling and going on gastronomical adventures with her husband of fifteen years. In her free time, Tayisha likes to sing and write gospel music and cook her Puerto Rican cuisine. In Puerto Rico she used to rescue dogs from the streets, take care of them and put them up for adoption when they were in good shape. One time she had fourteen dogs at the same time! She believes in the Action of Service with love for both human and animals, and her love and faith in God is very important as she sees it as her motor to live a peaceful, fully and grateful life.

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Melissa Angel, Director of Massage & Bodywork

Melissa Angel believes in the importance of living a healthy and balanced life, in body and mind. It was her own experiences that inspired her to become a Massage Therapist and help others find their balance. In 2005 after the birth of her son Daniel, she was put on the path to finding a career that complimented her new life and responsibilities as a mother. She had an interest in Massage Therapy and energy work and when the opportunity presented itself, she decided to start her life changing journey and become certified as a massage therapist.

Melissa’s passion began with receiving her Certification as a Massage Therapist from Salter College and her work has evolved into a passion for Reiki healing as well as working as a Birth Doula over the past 12 years. In 2010, she trained with Elaine Stillerman, LMT, a pioneer in the field of prenatal massage to receive a certificate in this specialized modality. She understands that a mother’s comfort and mental state is an important part of prenatal care. After working with women in pregnancy for a year she began her training as a Birth Doula through DONA (Doulas of North America) in 2011 and to date she has been blessed with working along side over eighty couples in just just 7 years.

In December of 2012 Melissa’s second child Sophia was born. Since becoming a mother of 2 she has continued to work as a Massage Therapist and Birth Doula focusing on her passion for achieving a balanced lifestyle and connection in body and mind.

Melissa has also received specialized training in Thai Therapy Treatment and Reiki. 

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April Ropes, Co-Studio Manager

April completed her 200-hour teacher training at the Prannothan School of Yoga with Devarshi Steven Hartman and her advanced Yoga Teacher Training (YTT-300) at Metrowest Yoga. She studied Reiki with Libby Barnett, and is a trained Reiki Master and Reiki Master Teacher. As a busy mother of two children (and a dog), a part time graphic designer, and a marathon runner, she believes that yoga and Reiki have helped to keep her grounded and true to self.

April is a Yoga Alliance certified Experienced Yoga Teacher (with almost 2000 hours of teaching experience) and is a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider. She has also completed many trainings including Mindful Touch, Yoga for Athletes, Power Yoga, and Yoga for Self-care. She has practiced various styles of yoga over the years including Ashtanga, Svraoopa, Kripalu and Vinyasa Flow, but her passion is Restorative Yoga. April truly believes that yoga can be for anyone, and that the benefits are endless. Her approach is yoga is one of compassion, self-awareness. and playfulness. April’s classes are welcoming and focus on providing a non-judgmental space for students to cultivate ease in the body and mind.

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Julie McKay, Co-Studio Manager

Julie grew up on the coast of Maine, and moved to Stow, MA with her husband and three children in 2014. Trained as a dancer, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Dance at Skidmore College. She enjoyed teaching dance to children for 20 years, and as she was approaching 40, she fell deeply in love with yoga. She completed her Yoga Teacher Training in 2012 from Yoga On York, and has been sharing her passion with others ever since. Julie cultivates a safe and comfortable atmosphere for her students, weaving in philosophy, encouragement, and humor.

Trainings include: Frontiers of Trauma Treatment (van der Kolk/Moore), The Art of Adjusting (Stackpoole/Peltz), Classical 8 Limbed Path of Ashtanga Yoga (Birch), and Reiki I and II (Barnett).  

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Delaney McWalters, Marketing & Communications Strategist

Delaney McWalters is a seasoned marketing consultant with a passion for helping small businesses thrive. With over 8 years of experience, she has honed her skills in crafting tailored marketing strategies that drive results. Delaney’s dedication to her clients stems from her genuine desire to see them succeed. She graduated from Babson College with a Business Management degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Delaney finds joy in exploring new destinations and immersing herself in different cultures. Traveling fuels her creativity and broadens her perspective. When she’s not jet-setting, you can often find Delaney curled up with a good book alongside her cat, Louie, indulging in her love for literature and expanding her knowledge base. She has a passion for holistic wellness and is excited to bring her two passions – marketing and holistic healthcare – together, under Synergy’s umbrella of services.

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Heaven-Leigh Daniel, Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Heaven-Leigh has been in the marketing and media field for five years, and she has grown a personal dedication to holistic wellness throughout her life. She graduated from Fitchburg State University with her Bachelor’s in Communications Media, and a concentration in film and video production. She worked as a Social Media Manager for the Fitchburg State Recreation Center and as a Media & Marketing Specialist for GGF Entertainment Studios, a family-run business, operated mainly by her older brother KJ. These different positions allowed Heaven-Leigh to grow her confidence as a project leader while developing her analytical and creative marketing skills. 

While working as a counselor for children and teens in group homes, Heaven-Leigh saw the positive effects of teaching wellness activities and emotional awareness. From her clients, she learned that communication is fruitless without patience and understanding. She understood the real function of communication is to connect, to understand, and to advocate for yourself and others. She’s always exploring more of herself, connecting with others, and learning more about her environment. Heaven-Leigh’s Grandad was the person who instilled in her some of her deepest held beliefs, encouraged her to nurture her curiosity, and motivated her to do right by herself, by others, and by the world. She is proud to be able to share Synergy’s core values and enthusiasm for helping others and the community.

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Elis Sanchez-O’Shea – Lead Intake Coordinator

Elis has dedicated her professional life to providing services and supporting the wellness and healing of families, children and adults in the community.  Elis has years of professional experience working in the non- profit, private and public sectors, providing intervention, services and support, including 27 years working for the Trial Courts of Massachusetts.  She is fully bilingual in Spanish and English and has been with Synergy Wellness Center since it opened its doors.  

Elis was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is deeply proud of her roots. She is dedicated and committed to her family and their shared experiences and love. She loves the outdoors, enjoys traveling and learning.  She believes all individuals have purpose and meaning in life and that we are all capable of achieving our best while being supported and supporting others. She is passionate about assisting in the healing and wellness of individuals in all walks of life and believes that, “A little progress every day adds up to big results”.  

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Courtney Leaming – Intake Coordinator

Courtney went to Colorado State University where she studied Health and Exercise Science, concentrating on Health Promotion. While finishing up college, her passion in wellness took on a new personal meaning when she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and Lyme. This health journey led to a new appreciation and interest in the wellness industry, and for those who helped her. She wants to provide the same compassion and guidance that was once shown to her to those seeking help on their own healing path.

New to the administration side, Courtney is excited to combine her passion for wellness and connecting with people to aid in individuals seeking to improve their emotional health. Courtney enjoys spending her free time designing and making embroidery hoops, watching nature and history documentaries, and being with family, especially her cat, Chester.

 

Michelle Bernier-Capaldo, LMHC, Practice Manager

Michelle is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has been practicing for 9 years.  She received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Framingham State University in 2010. Throughout her training, Michelle has provided therapeutic services to a culturally diverse clientele including adults, adolescents, children, and families that live with mental illness and substance abuse.  Michelle has been dedicated to early childhood development and improving the lives of children and families through emotional and behavioral support, advocacy and community outreach.

Michelle has experience providing diagnostic evaluations and therapy services to treat a wide range of complaints including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, self-esteem, social skill building, and life transitions.  Michelle’s therapeutic style is supportive, Solution-Focused with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach. She believes that therapy is a collaborative effort and she offers individualized treatment to meet each of her client’s unique needs and challenges.

Michelle’s goal is to reduce the stigma of seeking counseling, to help her clients develop emotional wellness, and to improve their relationships and daily functioning. She is committed to supporting her clients by providing the tools that will help them better understand their experience and to find solutions for their challenges. 

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Michelle Stakutis, LMHC, Clinical Director

I believe that counseling can help us uncover our authentic selves and our strengths so we can meet life’s challenges with self-compassion and confidence. We can all grow and heal from old patterns, painful experiences, and trauma. My work is client-centered, strength-based, and I strive to be fully accepting and inclusive. It is my priority to provide a safe space to allow clients to explore their feelings and participate in the creative process of self discovery, healing and change. I am trained in CBT, DBT skills, pain management, and my work is trauma-sensitive.

I obtained my MA in Counseling with a holistic concentration at Lesley University in 1997, and have a background in science and public health. In over 20 years as an LMHC, I have worked with young adults as a bilingual clinician in middle and high school, with children and families in community mental health centers and with students in a college setting.

I am also a certified yoga teacher through Breathe for Change and teach social-emotional wellness strategies and the use of mindfulness-based techniques.  While my practice is informed by science and evidence-based treatment, it is grounded in compassion, relationship and mutual trust. When I’m not working, I love spending time outside in nature and in the mountains, listening to music and hiking with my dogs.

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Sue Schmitz, LMHC, ATR, Clinical Supervisor

Sue is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and registered Art Therapist. After studying psychology and studio art at Dartmouth College, Sue attended Lesley University’s Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy program, graduating in 2012. Sue has worked with adults and children with depression, anxiety, trauma, thought disorders, and substance use, as well as oncology patients, homeless and low-income women, and youth on the autism spectrum. 

Sue previously worked at Beth Israel Lahey Health Behavioral Services, overseeing state-funded children and family programs. Sue is passionate about helping individuals achieve better functioning by implementing healthy lifestyle changes, improving communication and relationships, and increasing resiliency.

Sue offers art therapy as a cathartic modality that can provide a sense of “flow”. Creative processes help bring awareness to internal thoughts, beliefs, and desires. In better understanding our internal experience, we can identify priorities and make conscious choices that fit our needs. She also utilizes motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy to support individuals in developing more adaptive ways to regulate internal experiences. She uses a person-centered, strength-based approach, believing that each individual is capable of driving their own healing and personal growth.

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Suzanne Peters – LICSW

The therapeutic process can be a journey into self reflection, gaining insight into thought and behavior patterns where one has the ability to evolve and expand their life’s possibilities and build positive, effective coping skills in ways they may have never imagined.  Therapy can offer a space to make sense of past experiences, relationship dynamics and to find ways to feel more comfortable in our lives.  Each individual brings their own unique needs and desires to our work together and we begin by exploring what is important to you.

I have worked with adults and seniors for the past 17 years, using a strengths-based and client-centered approach.  I specialize in working with clients coping with mood disorders, anxiety, loneliness, relationship issues, chronic illness, loss and those struggling with challenging circumstances or difficult transitions.

I provide a warm, caring, non-judgmental environment where clients can feel comfortable and safe discussing difficult topics.  In our work toward well-being, I incorporate techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness approaches.  I enjoy working with individuals to improve self-esteem and quality of life.

I see it as a true privilege to be invited along for the journey in my clients’ lives. 

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Harvey Atkins, LMHC

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been practicing for over thirty years. I most recently served as Counselor and Transitional Services Director in a private special educational program. I worked with adolescents in finding strengths that could facilitate their inner growth and develop plans that could initiate their personal career and life development.

Prior to that I worked in a private clinic and was a member of a diagnostic team that evaluated complex cases and provided individualized treatment strategies. I provided counseling to individuals from ages four to sixty, presenting with various mental health and life challenges. During that time, I conducted court evaluations for juveniles at Uxbridge District Court and provided mental health services at the Blackstone Valley Regional Tech High School. This was part of the school-based health center and included an annual depression day screening.

My clinical perspective is that people should be seen through their individual thoughts, emotions and behaviors, and that this should be grounded in the social and familial history that guided their development. I believe that neuroscience can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of people but my emphasis is to see a person as a unique being. Along the way I have been influenced by many, but two practitioners in particular have impacted me. One is Richard Gardner who taught me to always remember that counseling is a creative art, and Elkhonon Goldberg who deepened my understanding of brain biology.

I have always respected the varying nature of each person’s story, as each provides a new challenge to learn and join in a process of change. I have great respect for those who seek ways to improve their capacity to live more successfully and accept their unique strength.

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Kathy Benson, LICSW

Kathy is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of diverse experience in clinical, medical and hospice settings, working with individuals from 18 to 99 and their families. She specializes in working with people who have traumas of various types, loss and grief, anxiety, depression, adjustment to chronic illness, aging and caregiving.

She is a group facilitator with training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, IFS (Internal Family Systems), Finding the Deep River Within, Reiki and bereavement work.

Kathy views counseling as a collaboration and invites frequent feedback from clients about the process. She brings compassion and empathy to her work with clients and believes self- care is an important element working with individuals. She often recommends exercise, yoga, creative arts and meditation to support healing. Kathy is passionate about personal growth, reading, dance, travel and finding joy in the simple things in life.

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Catherine O’Connell, M.Ed., LMHC, LADCI

Catherine is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Alcohol/Drug Counselor with extensive clinical experience working with adults presenting with addiction, alcohol abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and trauma issues. She views therapy as an interactive collaboration to assist clients with developing awareness and perspective for enhanced self-care, personal growth and wellness.

Catherine believes that individuals present for therapy with a unique life story and utilizes a supportive client centered approach focused on the client’s needs, strengths, goal attainment, coping strategies and well-being. She embraces a holistic perspective for overall health and may recommend exercise, yoga, meditation and various recovery philosophies as effective strategies to support change and healing.

Catherine has been impressed with the courage exhibited by clients to initiate therapy along with their resilience to manage difficult circumstances and life events. She enjoys providing clients with a compassionate and safe space to share their story while exploring possibilities for life change and fulfillment.

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Audrey May, LMHC

Audrey is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 9 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling and a Master’s in Criminal Justice Studies, both from Suffolk University. Audrey has worked in a variety of settings including in-home, group/residential settings, and outpatient services, with an emphasis on reaching under-served communities. She works with teens, young adult, and adult populations with a specialty in trauma treatment, mood disorders, and high-risk behavior.

Audrey uses a Person-Centered approach to counseling, in which the client/therapist professional relationship is a partnership, and goals are carefully tailored to meet client’s individual needs. Audrey draws upon Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as well as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, to teach a range of coping and interpersonal skills.

In addition to her background in counseling, Audrey is a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher and is in the process of becoming a certified Meditation Teacher. Audrey enjoys bringing these teachings and tools into counseling sessions as applicable to each client’s needs.

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Corinne Spangler-Baccam, MA, LMHC, CEIS

Working with people has always been her passion. Whether it be working as an educator, an art teacher, a developmental specialist, an art therapist or psychotherapist, it has been her love for children, people, art and nature combined that has formed Corinne into the therapist she is today.

As a mental health provider, Corinne considers herself an extremely dedicated and present clinician. One who truly enjoys working with all who come into her practice. Her belief is each person is truly unique and special in their own way and that somehow, in their journey through life, they may have lost sight or never quite grasped what that special something might be. A large part of her work is helping people find that special something, or at least feel content with who they are and embrace their own love for self.

As a graduate from Lesley University with a Masters in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Art Therapies in 2003, Corinne has become well versed in the uses of varied treatment modalities that consist of art, play, the expressive arts, CBT and mindfulness practice to reach her clients. The use of these modalities helps her to better understand and connect with her clients and help her clients better connect with themselves. She believes not only in talk therapy or CBT but in that the expressive art therapies support personal processes in managing difficult thoughts, emotions, feelings or in changing behaviors.

With nearly 30 years of experience in working with children in education and mental health, Corinne has a special niche for treating young children and has made great progress working with tweens, teens, as well as young adults. Her experience through her professional life brought her to amazing work environments such as The Walker Home and School in Needham as an intern, The Community Therapeutic Day School in Lexington as a second year intern, Thom Mystic Valley Early Intervention as a Developmental Specialist and Psychologist for her post-graduate clinical hours, Safe Studio in Ipswich as an LMHC and Art Therapist and Criterion Early Intervention in Framingham, as a Certified Early Intervention Specialist and LMHC. Leading up to joining Synergy, Corinne had been running her own successful private practice in Northborough for over a decade. With a strong belief in treating the whole person, Corinne is very excited to be part of the collaborative holistic healing environment Synergy Wellness Center has to offer.

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Yulia Heringer, LMHC

Yulia is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Master in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. She has worked with adolescents and adults in a multitude of settings including outpatient mental health clinics, psychiatric inpatient units, counseling centers. Her goal is to create an empathetic and empowering therapeutic environment for each individual. Yulia approaches each client as a whole person and strives to create a collaborative relationship where there is room for both problem-solving approaches and transformative personal growth.

Yulia’s clinical areas of focus include depression, anxiety, substance use, and adjustment to medical illness. She uses evidence-based treatment approaches to identify and clarify goals, facilitate behavior change, and build coping skills.

She has a wonderful, supportive husband and two beautiful boys. Yulia loves to attend her kids’ activities, spend time with family and friends. She also enjoys nature walks, music, movies, and baking with her children.

Yulia appreciates the courage it takes to seek out help at a time of vulnerability and hopes that she can be helpful to you.

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Alexandra Doucette, LICSW

Alex is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who has been working and training in the mental health field since 2005 when she took a summer job at a state psychiatric hospital while pursuing her undergraduate degree in psychology. In 2014 she received her Master of Social Work degree from Simmons College in Boston. Over the course of her career she has provided services to people experiencing a broad range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, and schizophrenia. She has also done family and group work, and has had experience in inpatient, residential, and community settings.

She takes an integrative approach informed by both traditional and holistic treatment strategies including cognitive behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, and mindfulness, as well as the therapeutic use of nutrition, yoga, and lifestyle interventions. She has completed a 200 hour yoga teacher certification, a 100 hour Yoga Therapy for Emotional Health and Healing training, and is currently enrolled in a Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner course that teaches mental health professionals how to incorporate nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support psychological wellbeing.

She seeks to ensure that the therapeutic process is collaborative and empowering, honoring each person’s strengths, agency, and inherent wisdom about their own needs. She believes that everyone has the capacity to heal and to create and sustain positive changes in their lives.

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Michael LaPointe, LMHC

Michael is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 5 years of clinical experience and he received his Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Fitchburg State University. After graduating, he worked as an in home family therapist for a non-profit organization with a focus on under-served and low-income families until joining the team at Synergy.

He has worked with a variety of caregivers and most of his time in the field has focused on youth ages 5-22, addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. He utilizes a person-centered approach in working with clients and primarily draws inspiration from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and from the ARC model of trauma-informed care.

He believes in providing nonjudgmental and affirming care to all individuals and feels that therapy should be a collaborative process where empathy, compassion, and understanding are at the forefront. He also firmly believes that everyone has the capacity to improve in their overall wellness, self-care, and self-esteem, that everyone’s journey is unique, and that all should be made to feel welcome, valued, and appreciated.

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Julia Sherwood, LMHC

Julia is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 8 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in various mental health settings, including residential programs, in-home family therapy, school counseling and outpatient therapy. In 2014, Julia had the opportunity to study abroad in Tibet, where she explored meditation and other mindfulness skills, and has since worked to integrate them with evidence-based therapeutic treatment. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Assumption University in Worcester, MA, where she graduated with emphases in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Child & Family Interventions.

Julia draws from approaches such as CBT, problem-solving, Family Systems Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed treatment, and mindfulness strategies to support those with trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders and other challenges. Julia is passionate about utilizing a holistic, strengths-based approach in therapy. She strives to continuously integrate cultural humility into her work, with a particular emphasis on providing therapeutic support to the LGBTQIA+ community and acknowledging the effects of intersectionality on mental health. She firmly believes that emotional wellness is a journey—not a destination—with therapy providing a safe space for individuals and families to grow, learn, and explore at their own pace.

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Kerry Saunier, LMHC

Kerry is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician with 11 years of experience in various clinical settings. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Northeastern University. Kerry recently became certified as an End-of-Life-Doula from The University of Vermont.

In addition to her counseling background, Kerry holds a license as a massage therapist through training at the Swedish Institute in New York and is a certified yoga instructor from the Sivananda School of Yoga.

Kerry has worked predominantly with adults, ranging through the life span, in a number of therapeutic settings.  These have included outpatient programs, community house of corrections, emergency services and within the hospice network. She has extensive experience in supporting individuals through addiction and recovery, end-of-life and grief processing, as well as, mood disorders and trauma related stress disorders.

Kerry’s approach to the counseling process is based within a Person-Centered framework, where a client is held in positive regard, within a safe and non-judgmental space, in order for trust to develop within the therapeutic relationship. The process is guided by the client, with the therapist meeting them wherever they are, as they move together towards increased personal awareness, growth and empowerment for the individual. Kerry draws from her life experience and her studies in Buddhist Psychology, meditation and mindfulness-based practices to enhance her own self exploration, as well as, her approach to supporting others in their personal journey.

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Stephanie Curley, MSW

Stephanie graduated from Fordham University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Stephanie’s experience includes working with individuals at McLean Hospital who experienced co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. While at McLean, she offered individual psychotherapy and led psychoeducation groups, small process groups, and family meetings. Her prior work includes providing services to high schoolers with intellectual disabilities and with autism spectrum disorder diagnoses.

Stephanie strives to help clients navigate through the unique struggles they are experiencing. She is trained in CBT and TF-CBT with children, and also utilizes Emotion-Focused and Internal Family Systems approaches in her work. She recognizes the impact of trauma at an individual and societal level, which is reflected in her approach to new situations. 

Stephanie feels that each person has the ability to grow within themselves and through the therapeutic alliance. Through practicing unconditional positive regard in her therapeutic relationships and offering therapeutic refuge, she aims to confront challenges alongside clients and to be with them through their therapeutic journey. 

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Amanda Bara, MA

Amanda is a mental health counselor who holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Assumption University. She has a strong focus in evidence-based approaches of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with experience utilizing Dialectal Behavioral Therapy and trauma-focused interventions. Amanda has worked with a variety of disorders including anxiety, depression, trauma related disorders, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a strong basis in behavioral therapy and teaching parent management strategies.

Amanda utilizes a collaborative approach with her clients as she believes in working with one’s own strengths to help foster personal growth. She aims to provide a welcoming and non-judgmental environment in which clients can be their true and honest self. Amanda prides herself on building safe and supportive relationships with the children, adolescents, and adults she works with. Amanda values the individual stories and uniqueness of every individual who shares their journey with her. Through a client-centered approach, Amanda places high importance on the client’s needs and wants throughout the therapeutic process.

 

Julie McKay, Yoga Instructor, Reiki Practitioner

Julie grew up on the coast of Maine, and moved to Stow, MA with her husband and three children in 2014. Trained as a dancer, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Dance at Skidmore College. She enjoyed teaching dance to children for 20 years, and as she was approaching 40, she fell deeply in love with yoga. She completed her Yoga Teacher Training in 2012 from Yoga On York, and has been sharing her passion with others ever since. Julie cultivates a safe and comfortable atmosphere for her students, weaving in philosophy, encouragement, and humor.

Trainings include: Frontiers of Trauma Treatment (van der Kolk/Moore), The Art of Adjusting (Stackpoole/Peltz), Classical 8 Limbed Path of Ashtanga Yoga (Birch), and Reiki I and II (Barnett).  

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April Ropes – Yoga Teacher (500 E-RYT) and Reiki Master Teacher

April completed her 200-hour teacher training at the Prannothan School of Yoga with Devarshi Steven Hartman and her advanced Yoga Teacher Training (YTT-300) at Metrowest Yoga. She studied Reiki with Libby Barnett, and is a trained Reiki Master and Reiki Master Teacher. As a busy mother of two children (and a dog), a part time graphic designer, and a marathon runner, she believes that yoga and Reiki have helped to keep her grounded and true to self.

April is a Yoga Alliance certified Experienced Yoga Teacher (with almost 2000 hours of teaching experience) and is a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider. She has also completed many trainings including Mindful Touch, Yoga for Athletes, Power Yoga, and Yoga for Self-care. She has practiced various styles of yoga over the years including Ashtanga, Svraoopa, Kripalu and Vinyasa Flow, but her passion is Restorative Yoga. April truly believes that yoga can be for anyone, and that the benefits are endless. Her approach is yoga is one of compassion, self-awareness. and playfulness. April’s classes are welcoming and focus on providing a non-judgmental space for students to cultivate ease in the body and mind.

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Janet Boucher, Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master, Thai Massage, Reflexology and Foot Zoning

Janet’s journey began with yoga 18 years ago. It’s a way of life that creates balance between the inner and outer worlds. She had the honor of training with Bernie Clark, Cindy Boulter, Jacqui Bonwell, Jeanne Coleman, Johnny Gillespie, Libby Barnett, Theresa Murphy, Wellness Life Zone and Foot Zone Academy.

Her training includes 500YTT, Balanced athlete certification, Clinically Informed Restorative Yoga for trauma (CLIR), Restorative Yoga, an extensive study of Yin Yoga and she is a Reiki Master. Her Christian roots are deep and she teaches with a spiritual focus in a traditional style where she encourages curiosity, internal exploration and laughter. Janet was certified in Foot Zoning in August 2023, Foot Zoning is an advanced form of Reflexology, this technique helps the body return to its original blueprint. Signals are activated on the bottom of the feet, and through acupressure, healing information in the form of electromagnetic impulses are sent throughout the entire body, restoring physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance.

She is a certified Aroma Reiki practitioner and studied with Andrea Frasier. This technique combines essential oils, visualizations, affirmations and Reiki to bring oneself to their Highest Potential. Janet is also a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner. Thai massage is a combination of passive stretching, acupressure and compression. She incorporates this technique in all of the Restorative and Yin yoga classes that she teaches. Be still, Be happy, Let your light shine… Savasana (my favorite pose)

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Lisa Campbell, Meditation Teacher

Lisa Campbell is a professional mindfulness trainer, meditation teacher, Kripalu-trained Holistic Health Teacher, Course Advisor for the McLean Meditation Institute, US Air Force veteran, and founder of Mindfulfilled Meditation, LLC.  On a mission to help others transform their lives to be healthier, happier, and more peaceful, time spent with Lisa is experiential, educational, and always supported with kindness and humor. As a special guest speaker, workshop presenter, and weekly class teacher, Lisa makes learning meditation and cultivating a regular practice easy, fun, and understandable for all ages and populations – you can find her teaching in schools, homes, businesses, senior centers, yoga studios, at veteran retreats, wellness centers, community programs, yoga retreats, and more.  Lisa has taught meditation professionally for more than 6 years,and draws on the deep wisdom gained from her own practice, which spans more than 30 years, as well as hundreds of hours dedicated to professional training and certification programs.  Lisa is a loving wife, mother, and doting caretaker of three cats, three guinea pigs, a hedgehog, and assorted fish, and is committed to providing a safe, truthful, and respectful space for everyone on the journey of self-discovery, empowerment and personal improvement.  She actively supports, and is registered with www.SEEKsafely.org.

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Deb Carroll – Reiki Master, Yoga Teacher and Essential Oil Specialist

Deb is a Reiki Master, 500-hour certified yoga teacher, and an Essential Oil Specialist.Deb studied Reiki with Libby Barnett from 2011 to 2020. She completed her 500-hour yoga teacher training at Down Under School of Yoga with Natasha Rizopolous and other senior yoga teachers from 2012 to 2016 and was part of the Power of Touch mentorship with Nicole Clark at Down Under from 2016 – 2018. She is currently studying with teachers of Traditional Chinese Medicine coupled with essential oils to offer more ways of living a wellness lifestyle.Deb is also the proud mother of two grown children, loves practicing yoga, bicycling, walking, and spending time in nature. She is a perpetual student with a lifelong interest in health and wellness and helping others to live their best life.

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Linda Dussinger- RYT500

I’ve always had a deep yearning for movement and fitness, and my love affair with yoga began many years ago. I was amazed how the connection of mind and body left me feeling peaceful and grounded whenever I stepped on my mat. Over time my passion for yoga grew and so did my desire to share this wonderful practice with others. My mission with yoga is an internal and external connection for myself. For all. I am fueled by the need to help others find acceptance and balance in their lives. With a side order of adventure!

It was in 2015 when I made the decision to become an instructor and obtained my 200-hour certification at Coreworks Institute in Florida. I deepened my studies in 2020 completing my Yoga Teaching Apprenticeship as well as my 500-hour certification at Sacred Seeds Yoga School under the guidance of Master Teacher Jacqui Bonwell. This training included a Clinically Informed Restorative Yoga Certification for Trauma students, ball rolling and introduction to FMS (functional movement screening). I also developed and implemented a funeral home Yoga Grief Program where I conduct classes for the families we serve. This includes breathing techniques, chair yoga and light meditation, all of which help them heal during difficult times.

My classes are focused on proper body alignment, increased mobility and building core strength. Proper tools are always provided for students to enhance their practice in a safe and mindful way. I also play meditation sound bowls which allow students to experience their vibrational, sound healing energy.

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Lauren Gatta – Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master

Lauren has always had a passion for health and fitness.  As a fitness instructor since 1993, her focus was mainly on cardio and weight-training.  It wasn’t until about 25 years later that her vision changed and left her accounting career to become a full-time certified health and nutrition coach through Dr. Sears Wellness Institute.

In 2017 Lauren completed her first Yoga and Pilates exercise instructor program. In 2018 she became certified as Reiki Master, (Reiki I & II Certified Practitioner, and Master/Teacher Level Attunement) through Regina’s Connections. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training through Revolution Community Yoga (RYS) with Cindy Boulter, 2020-2021. 

During challenging times Lauren turned to Yoga and Reiki and learned to develop the tools to ground herself, center her energy and calm her mind. Lauren found this place on her mat and within her spirit which created a nourishing path for her to follow. Lauren teaches a variety of carefully sequenced classes including, Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Restorative and Yoga Sculpt. Her classes are thoughtfully prepared and designed to welcome beginners as well as challenge all levels of practitioners. 

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Kathy Hirsh – Yoga Instructor

Kathy is a RYT 200 yoga instructor from Yoga Alliance. She comes from a fitness background with certifications in Kick Boxing, Indoor Cycling, and Les Mills Body Pump and Body Flow. While she has worked mostly with adults, Kathy is also certified to teach children and seniors. Kathy took her first yoga class in 2000 after a sports-related knee injury and ACL surgery. Up until that injury, Kathy had been avoiding yoga, thinking that it “wasn’t for her” for a variety of reasons. She was so surprised that she liked yoga and how it made her mind and body feel, that she started to practice regularly. Kathy enjoyed her personal practice so much that when her favorite yoga instructor moved away in 2007, she decided to build on her yoga and got certified to teach. Kathy wants people to feel relaxed in her class and laugh from time to time, to accept that the yoga practice will be or feel different from day to day, and to nourish themselves and treat themselves with compassion on the mat and off.   

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Georgia Jones – Kripalu Yoga Instructor

Georgia Jones lives in Stow, MA.  Before moving her practice to Synergy Wellness Center, she was owner/teacher for six years at Self Compassion Yoga here in Hudson, MA. Georgia began practicing yoga in 1999 as an alternative treatment to a medical condition (the result of too many hours spent sitting at a desk in front of a computer).  She was simply hoping it would help and had no idea of the impact it would have on her life. The changes it brought to her physical and mental self were so profound it has stayed with her ever since and she continues to practice yoga in some form each and every day. 

Georgia draws her inspiration from many styles of yoga and through countless extraordinary teachers. Her skills as an artist and graphic designer contribute to her ability to bring a stimulating and creative experience to her students on the mat.  With a focus on alignment and modifications to meet her students where they are in their practice, her classes are physically challenging while remaining accessible to all levels.  

Georgia has more than 500 hours of certified yoga teacher training. She holds her 300 hour certificate through the Professional Teacher Training Program at Down Under School of Yoga in Brookline, MA and her 200 hour certificate through Kripalu Yoga in Stockbridge, MA.  

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Valerie Kacian – Yoga Instructor

Valerie started her yoga practice in 2001 shortly after the birth of her daughter. Initially seeking balance to round out a heavy cardio fitness routine, she received more gifts from the practice than she could ever imagined. It was from day one on the mat that she knew she would teach and share these gifts with others. She has a special interest in working with students within their own range of motion tapping into pure, functional movement in the body. Valerie believes that anyone can practice and experience the great benefits of yoga. She uses a whole-hearted approach to encourage her students to connect deeply to movement within their own bodies. Valerie teaches Prenatal Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Baby & Me Yoga, Vinyasa, Power, Yin, and Restorative. Valerie completed her 200 hour YTT in May, 2018 with Cindy Boulter, prenatal training in April, 2018 with Lorraine Shedoudi, and Prenatal Certification with Bec Conant at Down Under Yoga. Additional training includes Reiki I, Trauma-Informed Teacher Training, Restorative Teacher Training, and various workshops addressing back and pelvic health.  In 2019 she continues her studies undergoing a six month apprenticeship with Jacqui Bonwell, as well as Advanced Prenatal and Postnatal Teacher Training with Bec Conant at Down Under School of Yoga. 

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Pat LeBau, IPT Yoga Instructor

Pat is a Kripalu certified Yoga teacher with over 700 hours of training in Yoga, Reiki, and Yoga anatomy and has been teaching since 2008. Pat is also an Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT) certified Practitioner, trained by Lee Albert at Kripalu. Her Yoga classes are deeply influenced by IPT awareness of common pain patterns and how to relieve them. She has a BS and MS in Wildlife Biology. Yoga is her third career after  a decade in Environmental Planning and another working with autistic children, Pat has found her way from a life long Yoga and Meditation practice to teaching and is honored to share the techniques she has gathered over the years to help travel through this mystery of life.  Each class is crafted to bring you to a place of balance in body, mind and spirit.

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Joanna Losty – Yoga and Pilates Instructor

Things that Joanna Losty is most passionate about:

– Her family and friends.
– Teaching and empowering students of all ages and all abilities.
– Making people laugh, feel loved, seen and important.
– Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream . : )  

Why such love for yoga? A lifelong athlete, competitor and lover of fitness, Joanna’s path changed a bit when she discovered the magic of yoga in her early 20’s (a million years ago.) Once craving just the physical benefits of a strong workout, Joanna began to crave the way yoga created balance and helped to quiet and calm the mind. There is a magical energy and peace created when moving, breathing, and acting mindfully… and it’s become the most dependable anchor in Joanna’s life. Motherhood, marriage, work….life in general are so much more manageable with a daily practice and a few deep breaths! 

Joanna’s intention as a teacher is to create a sense of calm strength and confidence for all students…to combine a sense of playfulness, spirituality, and a dose of inspiration into your day, and most importantly, to have you stepping off your mat feeling stronger, nourished and refreshed.  Her classes are designed to create a balance between strength and softness, movement and stillness, with the hopes of using breath to find our way out of our minds and into the present moment.

Joanna has been teaching group fitness classes since 2008. She has completed trainings in mat Pilates, weight lifting, yoga for children with special needs, and her 200 hour yoga teacher training. She considers herself a lifelong student, however, and hopes that her love of learning translates into intelligent, creative, and joyful classes!  

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Brenda Lusher – Yoga Instructor

My yoga journey started by signing up for a prenatal yoga class. As someone who struggled with anxiety, I quickly found that time spent in yoga class was a much needed and peaceful escape. My practice evolved and changed over the years as things do, and I always felt drawn to keep exploring. I lost myself in motherhood as a mom of two for a few years and found my way back into a heated yoga class and fell in love with yoga again.

During my journey through the heated yoga classes, an old injury began to surface. After surgery and much healing, I cautiously found my way back again, worried that I might reinjure myself. But I found some really amazing teachers who truly taught me the 8 limbs of yoga. I began to listen and hear my body for the first time in my life, and started learning more about all of yoga’s benefits. I completed my 200 hour teacher training Cindy Boulter in 2023.

I would call my teaching style inclusive and positive. I aim to teach people to listen to their bodies and learn their range of motion so they may truly benefit from their practice and grow in their own self knowledge. My time off the mat is spent with my family camping, hiking, and gardening. 

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Jen Mast – L.I.C.S.W., E-RYT 500 (IYT), Integrative Functional Therapeutic Yoga Teacher, ChildLight Teen Yoga®, 

Stepping onto the mat everyday has allowed me to stay grounded in the things that are truly important. Diagnosed with an autoimmune disease over a decade ago, my life took an unpredictable turn.  Things that were easy became difficult and I felt as though I had lost part of myself.  It was during this time that I deepened my spiritual practice. Yoga helped to heal the aches and pains that came with autoimmunity, it improved my energy, my mood and it allowed me to show up each day for my friends, loved ones and most importantly myself.  Yoga’s transformational abilities led me on a new path to become a yoga instructor combining my past work as a Licensed Social Worker with my new path in yoga therapy, functional movement through yoga and myofascial release.  As we bring all levels of a person’s being into balance, true healing occurs. Moving beyond illness and discomfort, we are able to live life to our fullest expression. 

Jen completed her 500-hour at Kripalu with Integrative Yoga Therapy (IYT) in 2016 where she trained under Joseph and Lillian LePage and Maria Mendola (Integrative Functional Yoga Therapy).  Jen furthered her study and attended an intensive training with Maria in Tucson, learning various techniques for myofascial release, therapeutic movements and exercises to rebalance alignment and long held patterns.  In 2018, Jen completed a weekend training in The Roll Model Method®  and a Ball Rolling Techniques Workshop with David Vendetti – both for myofascial release. Her extensive work with athletes, injuries and chronic illness in both group and private settings inform her teaching style which infuses safety, mindfulness, alignment principals, unique uses of props and functional therapeutic movements, and of course a lot of humor and fun! 

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Audrey May – Kripalu Yoga Instructor & Mindful Outdoor Guide

From practicing yoga as a hobby, to finding comfort and support during difficult times, becoming a teacher was truly an unexpected development. Audrey completed her 200-hour training through Kripalu in 2020. She has taught in studios and privately since then and has enjoyed the opportunity to be both teacher and student in an amazing community. Audrey is working on her advanced 300-hour training at Kripalu, having completed Adaptive Yoga training which focuses on making yoga accessible for every body. Audrey is certified as a Mindful Outdoor Guide through the Kripalu school of Mindful Outdoor Leadership. She has studied meditation with Lorin Roche and Camille Maureen through the Radiance Sutras School of Meditation. Her favorite classes to teach are gentle, chair yoga, and outdoor classes. She has interests in mindfulness meditation, yoga philosophy, anatomy, and deepening human connection to the natural world.

Audrey is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor working as an outpatient therapist with teens and adults through Synergy.

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Paulo Murta, Yoga Teacher

Paulo (he/they) came to yoga nearly a decade ago after a lifetime of interest in body movement, from Lambada and Forró dance in their native Brazil, to modern ballet and capoeira here in the States. They hold a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification, which was completed under Cindy Boulter’s tutelage at Revolution Community Yoga in Acton, MA.

Paulo’s classes bring a balance between movement and mindfulness through predominantly Hatha-style emphasis in safe modifications while offering poses that challenge and warm the body. Their keen interest in philosophy and meditation adds depth to each practice, allowing students a safe space to find mental stillness.

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Rita Smith – Yoga Practitioner 

Rita has been a yoga practitioner at Synergy Wellness for several years. During this time, she also studied with Deb Carrol to receive her Reiki I and II certification in 2021. She completed her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2023 at Revolution Community Yoga with Cindy Boulter. She has joined Synergy as a teacher and feels it is her “homebase” where the teachers at Synergy really inspired her to establish a sustainable yoga practice. Focusing on creating a strong foundation on which to build each pose, Rita believes anyone can be successful in practicing yoga both on and off the mat. She strives to incorporate ways in which students can bring the practice of yoga into their daily lives.

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Debbie Ward – Yoga Teacher & Life Coach 

Debbie Ward is an RYT-200 Kripalu Yoga Teacher and Certified Life Coach.  Debbie’s yoga and meditation journey began 14 years ago and continues to evolve.  Her themed yoga classes include mindfulness practices and poses that are suitable for all levels.   Debbie’s  particular area of interest is healthy bones since Osteopenia and Osteoporosis are diagnoses she has received in the last few years.  Yoga is just one of the pieces that can help with bone health.   Debbie offers guidance in a supportive environment for students to build awareness and uplevel their well-being. As a Life Coach Debbie helps clients create a wellness toolkit to be used for reducing stress and developing resilience.

Spencer Greene, DTCM, LAC

Spencer Greene has a doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist in the state of Massachusetts. He has been practicing since 2017 and has practiced and studied in hospitals in both the United States and in China. He recently worked for Tom Brady’s performance and recovery center treating professional and collegiate athletes, as well as anybody who wanted to grow healthier.

Spencer uses mostly acupuncture and herbal medicine for the people that he works with. He frequently treats pain, digestive disorders, insomnia, and menstrual issues. Spencer’s approach to clinical work is about being a guide first and foremost. Helping people navigate their illness and the path to greater health, as well as some changes they may consider making along the way.  Spencer loves people and enjoys getting to know each person that he has the chance to work with.

Melissa Angel, LMT, Reiki Practitioner, Foot Reflexologist

Melissa Angel believes in the importance of living a healthy and balanced life, in body and mind. It was her own experiences that inspired her to become a Massage Therapist and help others find their balance. In 2005 after the birth of her son Daniel, she was put on the path to finding a career that complimented her new life and responsibilities as a mother. She had an interest in Massage Therapy and energy work and when the opportunity presented itself, she decided to start her life changing journey and become certified as a massage therapist.

Melissa’s passion began with receiving her Certification as a Massage Therapist from Salter College and her work has evolved into a passion for Reiki healing as well as working as a Birth Doula over the past 12 years. In 2010, she trained with Elaine Stillerman, LMT, a pioneer in the field of prenatal massage to receive a certificate in this specialized modality. She understands that a mother’s comfort and mental state is an important part of prenatal care. After working with women in pregnancy for a year she began her training as a Birth Doula through DONA (Doulas of North America) in 2011 and to date she has been blessed with working along side over eighty couples in just just 7 years.

In December of 2012 Melissa’s second child Sophia was born. Since becoming a mother of 2 she has continued to work as a Massage Therapist and Birth Doula focusing on her passion for achieving a balanced lifestyle and connection in body and mind.

Melissa has also received specialized training in Thai Therapy Treatment and Reiki.

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Kim Nadreau – LMT, Level II Reiki Practitioner, Craniosacral Practitioner

Kim is a Licensed Massage Therapist, a Level 2 Reiki practitioner and is trained in Craniosacral, Lymphatic, and Chikly Brain Techniques. She had the honor of receiving Level I and II Reiki attunements with Eliza Johnson, whom she also credits with playing a significant role in her spiritual growth and the particular direction of her health and wellness journey. As with Michelle, she too participated in monthly Reiki clinics with Eliza, which is where their paths first crossed.

Kim has degrees in psychology and education stemming from a lifelong interest in caring for others. She began developing formal skills in healing in 2010 when she began pursuing Craniosacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute. In 2015 after two careers, including more than fifteen years in teaching, Kim enrolled in a Massage Therapy program so she could expand her practice of hands-on work to better facilitate the well-being of others and continue to explore the connections between emotional, spiritual, and physical health.

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Catherine Martin, LMT, Certified Practitioner of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®

Catherine has always been intrigued by how we connect with our center, with an embodied experience of depth and vitality. There are so many portals to this aliveness. Working with the belly- the center of the body- is one that she finds rewarding.
A practicing massage therapist since 1999, Catherine graduated from American Spirit Institute in Williamsburg, VA. She has a BA in Psychology and Masters in Counseling from The College of William and Mary. The counseling program offered an emphasis in transpersonal psychology- an interest which has woven through her professional and personal life. Studying Rosen Method helped to bring a deepening understanding of how the body holds emotion and unconscious material as well as a capacity to explore this with curiosity and kindness.
Catherine was lucky enough to study the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® with Dr. Rosito Arvigo a little over a decade ago. She was drawn to the lineage of this particular work. The roots in traditional healing can help in connecting to our own roots in satisfying ways. She loves being able to draw on this work in her own life, pulling thyme and oregano from the garden or spice cabinet to make a steam if she or a family member has a cold or using castor oil packs for scar tissue. She is passionate about sharing this work with others. She finds it deeply satisfying to be with others in their journey.
“To remember the other world in this world/is to live in your true inheritance” David Whyt

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Janet Boucher, Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master, Thai Massage, Reflexology and Foot Zoning

Janet’s journey began with yoga 18 years ago. It’s a way of life that creates balance between the inner and outer worlds. She had the honor of training with Bernie Clark, Cindy Boulter, Jacqui Bonwell, Jeanne Coleman, Johnny Gillespie, Libby Barnett, Theresa Murphy, Wellness Life Zone and Foot Zone Academy.

Her training includes 500YTT, Balanced athlete certification, Clinically Informed Restorative Yoga for trauma (CLIR), Restorative Yoga, an extensive study of Yin Yoga and she is a Reiki Master. Her Christian roots are deep and she teaches with a spiritual focus in a traditional style where she encourages curiosity, internal exploration and laughter. Janet was certified in Foot Zoning in August 2023, Foot Zoning is an advanced form of Reflexology, this technique helps the body return to its original blueprint. Signals are activated on the bottom of the feet, and through acupressure, healing information in the form of electromagnetic impulses are sent throughout the entire body, restoring physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance.

She is a certified Aroma Reiki practitioner and studied with Andrea Frasier. This technique combines essential oils, visualizations, affirmations and Reiki to bring oneself to their Highest Potential. Janet is also a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner. Thai massage is a combination of passive stretching, acupressure and compression. She incorporates this technique in all of the Restorative and Yin yoga classes that she teaches. Be still, Be happy, Let your light shine… Savasana (my favorite pose)

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Cathy Fallon – Alexander Technique

I can help you find ease, balance, strength and confidence in your favorite activity, be it dancing, horseback riding, singing, sports competitions, playing a musical instrument, or simply moving gracefully and painlessly through life. My understanding of the body and how it moves comes from my lifelong passion – dancing. I knew during my first Alexander lesson that I would teach it. The technique helped me recover from sciatica and drastically improved my dance technique. It extended my career because I learned to move more efficiently. I am now an avid horseback rider, and love observing how horses communicate with the simplest gestures. I credit my Mustang, Taboo with teaching me to truly listen. My degree is in Kinesthetic Education and Dance, and I danced professionally for twenty years. I began my Pilates training in 1979, with Pilates’ protégé Kathy Grant and completed mat certification through the Physicalmind Institute in 1990, after which I did the 3-year Alexander training at the American Center for the Alexander Technique in NYC. In 1996 I moved to Metro West, where I teach classical ballet and core strengthening incorporating the Alexander Technique to ages 9-adult, as well as Alexander Technique private lessons.

I call on my background in ballet and modern dance (40 years), Pilates (40 years), the Alexander Technique (30 years), Yoga (20 years) and developmental movement (20 years) to teach you a process of holistic self-care that offers a calm yet alert awareness of how you move through your world. I help you explore your potential to enjoy the sense of expansion, and confidence that comes with fully embracing who you are – both physically and mentally – from the inside out.

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Pat Lebau – IPT Practitioner

Pat has been teaching Yoga since 2008 and has been an IPT practitioner for a decade now. She loves helping people to feel better in mind, body and spirit via Yoga and IPT. Her low backache and plantar fasciitis have been relieved via IPT and IPT informed Yoga, and she is happy to share what she has learned. Her classes are gentle but deep, and focus on ways to counterbalance our cultural pattern of forward folding in work and play. Hence her classes focus more on gentle backbends and back strengtheners. In every class we warm up every joint in the body, move through the six motions of the spine, strengthen the back, do some breath awareness, and add some balances and easy inversions, and then enjoy deep rest. We practice awareness of overworked, tight, tired achy places. We allow the system to rest, digest and heal. This is powerful but gentle self-care.

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Kelley McLaughlin, LMT

Kelley is a licensed massage therapist specializing in John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Therapy. She is passionate about integrating her years of training in manual therapies, breathwork, meditation, energy work, expressive art, and functional movement to create a dynamic and specialized healing treatment. Kelley values the unique grace, gifts, and mountains to climb in every person. Kelley values integrity and treats every person with compassion and respect. She honors the sacred beauty, intelligence, and magnificence of the mind, body, and energetic connection and finds joy in gently guiding people towards empowerment and reaching their goals for health and wellness.

Kelley is a 2002 graduate of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is certified in John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Therapy and Pre- and Post Natal Massage. She completed the Artist in Action Conscious Creativity Academy program in 2021. She is a student of the 200-hour MFR Yoga teacher training program at the Myofascial Yoga Institute in Canada and of The Sénte School of Energetics in Oregon.

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Becky Racicot, LMT

Becky graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2005 with a BS in Athletic Training. She was the athletic trainer for Austin Prep High School and worked at their physical therapy office while also covering tournaments for Seacoast Soccer Club in Seacoast, NH.

She moved to Newport, RI in 2010 and worked in the physical therapy and billing departments for the Center for Orthopedics. When the company was purchased by University Orthopedics, she continued with the billing dept until 2023 when she made the decision to pursue massage full time.

Becky went to Spa Tech Institute in 2020 for Holistic Massage where she learned Polarity and Therapeutic Massage. Unfortunately, while finishing up the Polarity portion of the program, COVID struck and the program was at a standstill from March 2020 until March 2021. She graduated from the Therapeutic Massage portion of the program in March 2022 and has since received certification in IASTSM (Graston technique) as well as earned CEUs in Reflexology which she would love to pursue more in depth. Her favorite massage techniques to practice are deep tissue and trigger point release which she loves to incorporate with her knowledge and experience in Athletic Training.

 

Dr. Lisa J. McGonigal – MD, MPH, Health Consultant

Dr. Lisa McGonigal is an experienced Family, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health physician with expertise in Lifestyle, Integrative, and Culinary Medicine and Clinical Nutrition.  Lisa is proficient in the application of multifaceted approaches to prevention, treatment, and reversal of chronic lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, excess weight, functional bowel disorders, autoimmune diseases, and fatty liver.  She utilizes a systems-oriented clinical approach, applying detailed history-taking, comprehensive physical examination, and targeted laboratory and metabolic testing in a data-driven approach to identify the root causes that have contributed to the unique expression disease in each individual.  Her therapeutic approach combines personalized intensive nutrition and lifestyle-based interventions, helping patients adopt a nutrient-dense plant-predominate eating pattern, optimize physical activity, improve sleep, healthfully manage stress, and eliminate use of tobacco and other risky substances.  She fosters a highly collaborative partnership with patients as the cornerstone of care, nurturing and empowering individuals to learn, implement, and internalize the necessary cognitive and behavioral changes required to achieve and sustain whole-body health and wellness.

Lisa received her medical degree and clinical training in her home state of West Virginia, where she spent several years in practice as a Family Medicine physician.  She subsequently earned a Master of Public Health degree from the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health in Washington, DC.  Most recently, she completed the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Preventive Medicine Fellowship.  While there, she served as a Physician Clinical Nutrition Fellow and Assistant Director of the UMASS Center for Applied Nutrition; founded the Preventive Medicine Lifestyle Medicine Task Force; developed and led the Medical Student Culinary Medicine Program and Healthy Kitchen Patient Culinary Medicine Collaborative; co-developed and co-facilitated the inaugural UMASS Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine Group Visit programs for chronic pain, hypertension, and diabetes; and contributed to now-published research addressing the impact of diet on Inflammatory Bowel Disease, saturated fat intake, and Medical Group Visits.  She currently remains at UMASS as an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Preventive Medicine, Family Medicine, and Community Health, instructing medical students, residents, and fellows in Lifestyle and Culinary Medicine.  She is Board certified in Preventive Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, and Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM).

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Elizabeth McHugh – Functional Nutritionist and Well-Being Coach,  MS, MPH, LDN

Elizabeth is a Licensed Dietician Nutritionist and Well-being Coach. Elizabeth first became interested in the connection between mind and body when she was introduced to yoga at age 15. She pursued a degree in Psychology at Florida State University. While finishing her degree, Elizabeth decided there was more to supporting behavior change than traditional psychology and counseling. Elizabeth went on to complete two Wellcoaches Health and Wellness Coaching programs and Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. She is a Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Elizabeth also holds a Master of Public Health from George Washington University and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health. She has over 1000 clinical hours, is a Certified Nutrition Specialist, and a Licensed Dietician Nutritionist. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition. She has worked in multiple startups and with multiple practitioners supporting clients and patients in creating sustainable behavior change. 

You can find her with her husband usually on her sister’s back porch, or traveling to their next destination. She has a beautiful baby girl and a German Shepherd, Frankie. Elizabeth loves being surrounded by books; her prized possession is her blue velvet couch. She loves a strong cup of coffee and a great margarita (in fact, that’s how she met + married her husband!) Elizabeth strives for balance in all parts of her life. She believes that understanding behavior and how to support behavior change is crucial in nutrition and lifestyle balance. 

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Shannon Ford – OT/L, FM-IHP, CMHIMP, Health Consultant & Coach

Shannon’s calling has been to serve and advocate for others throughout her career. Engaging with clients through the lens of integrative health and functional medicine is inspired by more than twenty years of clinical experience as an occupational therapist specializing in intensive care, physical rehabilitation, addiction recovery, and behavioral health. She is on a mission to help others recognize that better days are ahead as they progress toward optimal wellness. She is passionate about providing a personalized, sustainable, and comprehensive approach for each client as they achieve dynamic equilibrium in mind, body, and spirit.

Following a health scare that led to emergency surgery at the age of thirty, more than a decade passed while attempting to figure out what led to the original diagnosis. A dozen consultations yielded increasing frustration as the typical response from the doctors was either “idiopathic” or that the issues were simply due to genetics.

During clinical internships in China and Switzerland, primary concepts of traditional Chinese medicine and bioregulatory medicine provided different lenses through which we can view the whole body as an integrated system. The exposure to different approaches led to a deeper understanding that deficiencies and toxicities were among the underlying root causes of her symptoms. These deficiencies and toxicities wreaked havoc on her hormones and led to myriad symptoms that continued to be addressed separately by various medical specialists over many years.

Although her PCP and surgeons routinely stated that multiple medications would be necessary for life, the integrative health practitioners emphasized reversing chronic symptoms by implementing a natural approach with holistic modalities. Shannon is passionate about helping people avoid further confusion and anguish as they learn to optimize their overall wellness through whole-food nutrition, functional medicine detoxification, lab testing, and lifestyle modifications.

Areas of expertise:

Hormone rebalancing for men and women; stress reduction; achieving ideal body weight; gastrointestinal health; thyroid health; longevity; functional medicine detoxification; at-home lab testing; immunity and autoimmunity; pain reduction; health and wellness coaching; mitigation of EMFs and environmental toxins.

Credentials:

Licensed occupational therapist; certified functional medicine and integrative health practitioner; certified mental health integrative medicine provider; certified addiction recovery and mental health counselor

Hobbies:

Laughing while learning to tap dance and play the ukulele, volunteering with various not-for-profit organizations, improving conversational Spanish, cooking, hiking, scuba diving, skiing, and enjoying quality time with family & friends.

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Erin Linde – Integrative Health Coach

Erin Linde is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (INHC) and an Integrative Health Practitioner Level 2 Mastery (IHP2M). She is certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). Erin helps her clients heal from chronic mental, emotional and physical pain and symptoms through whole food nourishment, nervous system regulation, emotional freedom, self-compassion and the power of the mind-body connection.

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Kathleen Quinton – Life Coach

Kathleen Quinton is a Certified Life Coach who works one-on-one with clients, teaches workshops on self-empowerment and positive mindset, and is a coach/mentor of other coaches in her field. 

Kathy states her life’s purpose as helping people find and use their own amazing gifts to bring about their wellbeing, fulfillment, and success. She believes that happiness resides in what we think about and how we pursue our personal and professional goals, and she loves sharing her own Aha’s in life through stories and processes.

As the author of Strength Becomes You, Doubt to Confidence: Create Your Desired Life and its supplemental workbook, Kathy focuses on how we can proactively shift our thinking from negative to positive as we work to create a fulfilled life. 

In addition, Kathy has published the Strength Becomes You Teen Journal which is adapted from the adult book and workbook concepts to promote confidence-building in teens and young adults.

Combining her love of children’s literature and her actual experience with bookmobiles, Kathy has also authored the three-book Quint the Bookmobile series about a lovable bookmobile that comes to life to help children discover mindfulness and the joy of reading. Kathy firmly believes that the keys to knowledge should be available to all, no matter where they live.

Kathy currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband. She is a mother of three and grandmother of six. She loves cooking, gardening, traveling (especially to the ocean), reading, spending time with her family, and cuddling with her cat, Moxie.

Areas of expertise: Life Coaching | Empowerment Coaching | Finding Purpose | Building Self-Belief

Credentials: Strategic Intervention Coaching | Robbins/Madanes Training | Quantum Success Coaching Academy

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Debbie Ward – Life Coach

Debbie Ward is an RYT-200 Kripalu Yoga Teacher and Certified Life Coach.  Debbie’s yoga and meditation journey began 14 years ago and continues to evolve.  Her themed yoga classes include mindfulness practices and poses that are suitable for all levels.   Debbie’s  particular area of interest is healthy bones since Osteopenia and Osteoporosis are diagnoses she has received in the last few years.  Yoga is just one of the pieces that can help with bone health.   Debbie offers guidance in a supportive environment for students to build awareness and uplevel their well-being. As a Life Coach Debbie helps clients create a wellness toolkit to be used for reducing stress and developing resilience.

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Val Couchon – Life Coach

Val is a certified health and life coach and a registered nurse in the field of Labor and Delivery. Val obtained her certification in coaching during the course of the pandemic when she realized the value of coaching as a means of managing burnout and overwhelm through an intentional focus on self-care. From this perspective, we can achieve fulfillment and balance, rather than being controlled by exhaustion and depletion. Honestly, coaching is a breath of fresh air. One small step forward each day leads to great changes and opportunities in life, and in the direction of the life you desire. Val will be your guide along the way.  

The coaching methods include meditation and mindfulness, gratitude practices, cultivating a positive mindset, shifting perspectives, and a focus on self-love and self-care. Learning to genuinely love and trust yourself will give root to clarity and abundance in your life. The coaching method used by Val will help you build resilience in the face of difficult life circumstances and bring a sense of ease and balance into your life. In her free time, Val enjoys cooking, playing mandolin, walking her rescue dogs or reading a book curled up with foster cats. 

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 John Orlando, LCSW – Performance Coach

John is a Certified Performance Coach who supports adolescents and young adults in maximizing their potential in athletic and musical performance. He incorporates concepts from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical-Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, and Emotional Freedom Techniques / Tapping to help individuals address barriers to performance such as performance anxiety, low confidence, and lack of motivation and structure in their practice regimens. John takes a person-centered, strengths-based approach to helping individuals recognize and build upon their strengths while identifying and addressing the underlying causes of performance anxiety and low confidence.

As a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), John received his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Boston University in 2018 and received his Certified Professional Coach (CPC) certification from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching in 2021.

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Virginia L’Bassi – Coach

Virginia is on a compassionately relentless mission to help women reconnect with their own inner wisdom so they can live a life that lets them thrive! She is a Certified Life Coach who believes that our power is reflected through every choice we make. Drawing on a variety of approaches, from neuroscience and psychology to crystals and oracle readings, she meets clients where they are and guides them as they learn to get vulnerable, forgive, and surrender to their truest self. Virginia believes that each of us has all the answers within, and with the aid of authentic connection, we can learn to live more joyfully and resiliently.

Through her coaching, she helps people reconnect with their own inner knowing, also called intuition, to learn how to trust themselves again so they can create the life they truly desire. You’ll begin with an oracle reading, an opportunity to have a deeper conversation with yourself. Together we will connect some of the dots in your subconscious mind, bringing them together into ideas and realizations that will help you remember what’s most important to you. Using this information, we’ll map out the steps that will get you on your way to the life you want to live.

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Lisa Dahl – Coach

Lisa Dahl is a certified Health and Wellness coach specializing in Intuitive Eating, Mindful Eating, and Body Image. With compassion and expertise, she supports her clients as they discover “Body Peace & Food Freedom” on their journey to break free from dieting and diet culture. Her clients achieve a higher level of well-being as Lisa guides them through a process of visioning, goal setting, and accountability. Her hallmark emphasis on mindfulness and self-compassion help women find a successful pathway to whole-body wellness.

Lisa has certifications in Intuitive Eating, Mindful Eating, health and wellness coaching, and personal training. She is a skilled group facilitator with credentials from The Body Positive and Gratefulness.org and is presently preparing for the National Board Certification for Health and Wellness Coaches.

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Lauren Oliver – Coach & Yoga Therapist

Lauren is a Certified Yoga Therapist, RYT-500 Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher, and an Integrative Health Coach, specializing in chronic pain, mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as well as endometriosis, gut and digestive health concerns, pelvic floor dysfunction, and prenatal and postpartum yoga therapy.

With a deep passion for helping others achieve optimal health and well-being, Lauren has a comprehensive understanding of chronic pain and illness from various perspectives. Her personal health journey, along with her roles as a patient advocate, healthcare professional, and case coordinator for public health research interventions, has provided her with invaluable insights into the complexities of human health and healthcare. With almost a decade of experience as a patient educator, intake coordinator, and apothecary manager at integrative medical practices, Lauren helped thousands of patients navigate their health challenges.

Lauren’s dedication to understanding how the body works, preventing illness, and promoting wellness began in childhood when she first started dealing with her own complex health challenges, and continued during her college years when she earned a certificate in Health Science focused on global women’s health, epidemiology, and traditional medicine systems. She has continued to build upon this foundation through various trainings in clinical herbalism, nutrition, Ayurveda, yoga, and mind-body medicine. It was during her time working at a functional medical practice when she first discovered yoga therapy and decided to pursue training and certification, which allowed her to integrate all her learnings into one comprehensive service.

As a Certified Yoga Therapist and Integrative Health Coach, Lauren is committed to providing compassionate, personalized, and effective care, drawing inspiration from the transformative power of integrative medicine as well as yoga therapy. Her diverse background and holistic approach empower individuals to take charge of their health and well-being, and support them in making sustainable changes for a balanced and vibrant life. With Lauren’s expertise in chronic pain, mental health, and integrative health coaching specialties, she is dedicated to helping others achieve greater health, healing, and wellness.

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Erica O’Neill – Movement Coach
ACE- Certified Personal Trainer and 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher

Erica started on a wellness path in her twenties and with a weight over 200 pounds, she discovered the power of fitness and yoga as a means to support her aspirations for a healthier lifestyle.

As things grew busier with the joys of starting a family, Erica rekindled her passion for fitness and yoga, recognizing the importance of incorporating physical activity into her daily routine even with the demands of juggling a busy work and family schedule. She embraced the holistic benefits of movement for both the body and mind. In her forties, taking her journey to the next level, she started to strength train for the very first time. Erica achieved a milestone – she became a WNBF Bodybuilding Pro at the age of 44.

Erica’s coaching style is to focus on client goals while always keeping in mind three key approaches:

1. We work hard during workouts
2. We have fun doing it!
3. Always be kind to yourself!

Here is one of Erica’s favorite quotes and one she loves to reflect on, “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” Dolly Parton

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Melissa Angel, LMT, Reiki Practitioner, Foot Reflexologist

Melissa believes in the importance of living a healthy and balanced life, in body and mind. It was her own experiences that inspired her to become a Massage Therapist and help others find their balance. In 2005 after the birth of her son Daniel, she was put on the path to finding a career that complemented her new life and responsibilities as a mother. She had an interest in Massage Therapy and energy work and when the opportunity presented itself, she decided to start her life changing journey and become certified as a Massage Therapist.

Melissa received her Certification as a Massage Therapist from Salter College and her work has evolved into a passion for Reiki healing as well as working as a Birth Doula over the past 12 years. In 2010, she trained with Elaine Stillerman, LMT, a pioneer in the field of prenatal massage to receive a certificate in this specialized modality. She understands that a mother’s comfort and mental state is an important part of prenatal care. After working with women in pregnancy for a year she began her training as a Birth Doula through DONA (Doulas of North America) in 2011 and to date she has been blessed with working with over eighty couples. Melissa has also received specialized training in Thai Therapy Treatment and Reiki.

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Kimberly Nadreau – LMT, Level II Reiki Practitioner, Carniosacral Practitioner

Kim is a Licensed Massage Therapist, a Level 2 Reiki practitioner and is trained in Craniosacral, Lymphatic, and Chikly Brain Techniques. She had the honor of receiving Level I and II Reiki attunements with Eliza Johnson, whom she also credits with playing a significant role in her spiritual growth and the particular direction of her health and wellness journey. As with Michelle, she too participated in monthly Reiki clinics with Eliza, which is where their paths first crossed.

Kim has degrees in psychology and education stemming from a lifelong interest in caring for others. She began developing formal skills in healing in 2010 when she began pursuing Craniosacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute. In 2015 after two careers, including more than fifteen years in teaching, Kim enrolled in a Massage Therapy program so she could expand her practice of hands-on work to better facilitate the well-being of others and continue to explore the connections between emotional, spiritual, and physical health.

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Janet Boucher, Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master, Thai Massage, Reflexology and Foot Zoning

Janet’s journey began with yoga 18 years ago. It’s a way of life that creates balance between the inner and outer worlds. She had the honor of training with Bernie Clark, Cindy Boulter, Jacqui Bonwell, Jeanne Coleman, Johnny Gillespie, Libby Barnett, Theresa Murphy, Wellness Life Zone and Foot Zone Academy.

Her training includes 500YTT, Balanced athlete certification, Clinically Informed Restorative Yoga for trauma (CLIR), Restorative Yoga, an extensive study of Yin Yoga and she is a Reiki Master. Her Christian roots are deep and she teaches with a spiritual focus in a traditional style where she encourages curiosity, internal exploration and laughter. Janet was certified in Foot Zoning in August 2023, Foot Zoning is an advanced form of Reflexology, this technique helps the body return to its original blueprint. Signals are activated on the bottom of the feet, and through acupressure, healing information in the form of electromagnetic impulses are sent throughout the entire body, restoring physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance.

She is a certified Aroma Reiki practitioner and studied with Andrea Frasier. This technique combines essential oils, visualizations, affirmations and Reiki to bring oneself to their Highest Potential. Janet is also a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner. Thai massage is a combination of passive stretching, acupressure and compression. She incorporates this technique in all of the Restorative and Yin yoga classes that she teaches. Be still, Be happy, Let your light shine… Savasana (my favorite pose)

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Deb Carroll – Reiki Master, Yoga Teacher and Essential Oil Specialist

Deb is a Reiki Master, 500-hour certified yoga teacher, and an Essential Oil Specialist.Deb studied Reiki with Libby Barnett from 2011 to 2020. She completed her 500-hour yoga teacher training at Down Under School of Yoga with Natasha Rizopolous and other senior yoga teachers from 2012 to 2016 and was part of the Power of Touch mentorship with Nicole Clark at Down Under from 2016 – 2018. She is currently studying with teachers of Traditional Chinese Medicine coupled with essential oils to offer more ways of living a wellness lifestyle.Deb is also the proud mother of two grown children, loves practicing yoga, bicycling, walking, and spending time in nature. She is a perpetual student with a lifelong interest in health and wellness and helping others to live their best life.

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April Ropes – Reiki Master

April received her Reiki Levels I & II, Reiki Master, and Reiki Master Teacher training with Libby Barnett, a Reiki Master from the Usui tradition. She works with the Chakra system (energy centers) to release “stuck” energy in the body to cultivate balance and flow. Breath work, guided meditations, and crystals are often used during Reiki sessions to aid with relaxation. Her goal for your session is to provide a safe space for healing, inner peace and relaxation.

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Tara Slysz – Consulting Hypnotist

Tara has always been excited to study the best and most successful way to help people heal and live better, happier, healthier lives. At Lesley University, she majored in Holistic Psychology and minored in Art Therapy. Through the National Guild of Hypnotists, she became a Certified Consulting Hypnotist. She recently trained in the Simpson Protocol which is what she currently utilizes in her client sessions. It is the most effective and efficient method of hypnosis, offering the most direct means to affect change in the subconscious mind, where our unconscious habits and behaviors rest.

Through hypnosis, Tara will show that that it is within your own power to release everything that no longer serves you. It is our choice to reinforce and embody who we want to be. She is eager to assist you on this journey and facilitate this transformative healing. Contact Synergy through the New Client Questionnaire for a complementary 

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Jennie Backstrom – Essential Oil Expert

Jennie Backstrom is a holistic wellness coach and educator, business mentor and entrepreneur. Through yoga and meditation instruction, education on natural living through the use of essential oils, as well as mentorship to business leaders in the same field, Jennie’s mission is that of love and service. She has a passion to help others think outside the box of status quo and live their life as the truest version of themselves.