Massage Therapists

Betty Lou Antonelli
LMT

Betty is a licensed Maryland massage therapist, practicing for the past 8 years. She was graduated from the Potomac Massage Therapy Institute in Washington, DC. Betty loves massage. Before becoming a massage therapist, she used massage as a tool for her own preventive health maintenance. Her specialty is neck and back pain and she likes to customize her massages to her clients needs. This usually means some Swedish for relaxation and deep tissue in areas like the neck and back that have pain. Sometimes she does Shiatsu on the scapulas to open up the chest for better circulation and a larger space for breathing. She believes that massage is a good addition to any personal program that a client is developing for successful aging.

Stephanie Ayala
LMT

Stephanie holds a B.S. in General Studies, Pre- Physical Therapy and is currently applying to graduate school for PT. She graduated from Baltimore School of Massage two years ago and has had the opportunity to work with professional athletes. She enjoys giving all modalities especially deep tissue, sports and muscle release technique (stretching). She says, “I enjoy the transition made from the minute the client steps through the door, often complaining of a trouble spot, and watching the way they are ready to take on anything once they leave. It’s rewarding knowing that I can help a complete stranger just by touch!”

Rachel Barth
LMT

Rachel is a graduate of Baltimore School of Massage. She specializes in Myofascial, Deep Tissue, Swedish, and Traditional Thai Massage. Rachel feels that compassionate, mindful presence is the most important part of any therapeutic work.

Christianna Bramwell

Christiana is a Massage Therapist at Blue Heron Wellness

Bio coming soon.

Rachel Cosgrove
LMT

Rachel has always loved massage, from the first time she walked on her father’s back at age four (with her mom’s help), to the advanced techniques she has learned from massage therapist friends and teachers through the years. After graduating Oberlin College and entering the world of politics, she realized she would prefer to focus on healing rather than dividing. She graduated from the National Massage Therapy Institute in 2010, and is a nationally certified and Maryland-licensed massage therapist.  She also has her Level 2 Reiki attunement, and will be working on Level 3 soon.  Rachel loves working with clients through Deep Tissue and Swedish massage, and enjoys finding and working out any trouble spots.  Her favorite technique is the “Pec Release,” which opens the chest muscles and releases shoulder and arm tension.  The result of a good release is a visible change in shoulder position, and a feeling that the shoulders are farther back.  She also loves working to relieve sciatic pain, back tension, and other problems, for lasting effects.  Rachel brings a calm, relaxing presence into the massage room, and feels it is very important to be mindful of the needs of the client.

John Cox
RMP

John is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Body Work and the State of Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He is trained in working with individuals who suffer from acute and chronic pain and stress-related stiffness due to accumulated toxins in the body. He also performs sports massage for the athlete in training or the “weekend warrior.” John’s expertise spans a wide range of services to a broad spectrum of clients, including members of local professional sports teams, pre/post event marathoners, assisted living residents and corporations offering chair massage to their employees.

Joan Davis

It is Joan‘s strong belief that in the time, place and busy-ness in which we live, we absolutely must stop from time to time to relax, recover, and recharge, and it is in the dynamic stillness that this can take place. A strong supporter of self-care, she appreciates clients who take an active and interactive role in their wellness process. Joan has an integrative, therapeutic approach to massage. This includes deeply focusing in on a problem area as part of whole-body stress relief and relaxation. She blends modalities in each session to meet the client where he or she is in that moment. These include Swedish, deep tissue, Muscle Release Technique, Reiki, Visionary Cranial Sacral work, Strain Counterstrain, Bodywork for the Childbearing Year and sports massage, as well as inspired ingenuity. Corporate experience and the toll it takes on the body/mind/spirit, as well as the fulfillment of contributing to the health and wellness of others and herself as an aerobics instructor, informed Joan’s passion for massage. In full-time private practice since her 1994 graduation from Potomac Massage Training Institute, Joan has also worked at the University of Maryland Health Center, the International Monetary Fund fitness center, USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and Sport and Health clubs. And she has and continues to provide seated massage at Rockville City Hall and many and varied other venues and events.

Gabriela De Anda

Gabriela has been practicing massage therapy since 1998.  She received her associate’s degree in Occupational Studies from the Swedish Institute in NY and is also a graduate of the Potomac Massage Training Institiute in DC. Her philosophy is that each person is their own health expert. As such, each massage therapy session is approached as a partnership with each client toward the goal set at the beginning of the session. She draws from the various modalities in which she was trained to achieve the established goal but specializes in deep tissue work incorporating Eastern (Shiatsu) and Western techniques (myofascial). This technique lengthens shortened contracted muscle creating space for joints and bones to move more freely. Her style has been described as a perfect post-race treat. Although her technique can be appreciated by anyone who would like to feel the effects of length and space in tight sore, muscles. Gabriela brings presence, non-judgment and awareness to the session and invites her clients to do the same – be present in your body, observe your body and remember what it feels like to be relaxed in your body.

Bebe Edmonston

Bebe is a Massage Therapist at Blue Heron Wellness

Bio coming soon.

Angela Gover-Walker
LMT

Angela graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage and became nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in 2000. She has been giving massages to friends and family her whole life and credits them with her success in the professional world of Therapeutic Massage.

Sooyong Kim
LMT

Sooyong is an intuitive practitioner of shiatsu, Reiki, and Cranio-Sacral therapy, who provides a safe space to facilitate your healing process. She believes that everyone has the power to heal. A 1998 graduate of the Ohashi Institute, she is also a Reiki Master, and has studied many modalities, including Cranio-Sacral Therapy with the Upledger Institute, Qigong, Spiritual Healing and Aikido. Sooyong grew up in South Korea, Malaysia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She worked in the corporate world in New York City after graduating from Princeton University, and responded to an early mid-life call to the healing arts.

Leslie Knee
LMT

Leslie, BA, LMT is a graduate of the University of Maryland and the Baltimore School of Massage (2000). She was originally drawn to massage therapy as a client for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. After her recovery, she was drawn to pursue a career of helping others achieve wellness through massage. Leslie’s training in Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, Oncology Massage and Manual Lymph Drainage has provided relief to clients living with discomfort and pain. Her work with Swedish Massage, Reflexology, Essential Oils, Hot Stone Therapy and other energy-based techniques provides deeply relaxing and soothing treatments for clients who would like to reduce the negative effects of stress in their lives. She is an advocate for people living with chronic illness (such as fibromyalgia, diabetes and cancer) to receive massage as part of their medical treatment to relieve pain, anxiety, circulatory issues, and more. Leslie is certified in Manual Lymph Drainage, and is a member of the Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals. A former bodywork instructor at the Baltimore School of Massage, Leslie now dedicates her work to clients full-time, and teaches the occasional seminar.

Lorraine Rao
RMP

Lorraine is a graduate of the Potomac Massage Training Institute in Washington, D.C. She has been a professional massage practitioner for three years and is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as well as the State of Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Lorraine uses both Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage techniques that facilitate whole-body relaxation and support health and healing. She has a special expertise in issues surrounding the back, neck and shoulders – areas of the body that are highly vulnerable to stress from everyday activities (such as driving or working on the computer) as well as to acute injury. Lorraine understands how relaxation and massage can help people achieve other important health goals, and has helped clients incorporate massage into a variety of their goals, including pain management, weight management, healthy aging, emotional wellness, and stress reduction. Most important to Lorraine’s practice are putting clients truly at ease and listening attentively to their needs and their bodies’ stories.

Robin Shepherd

Robin is a graduate of University of Maryland and Potomac Massage Training Institute.  She began her work as a massage therapist focusing on orthopedic massage in a physical therapy clinic setting.  She incorporates deep tissue, Swedish and myofascial work into her therapeutic massage. She recently graduated from the Ohashi Institute where she studied shiatsu.  Adding this knowledge to her practice has allowed her to realize more fully the mind/body connection and treatment of the body as a whole.  As a mother of two she also understands the difficulties of fertility, pregnancy and the trials of raising young children.  Massage is an essential tool for helping to relieve these everyday stresses.

Michelle Simon
R.N., LMT

Michelle is a graduate of Towson University, Howard Community College and the Baltimore School of Massage. She is also a Maryland licensed registered nurse and holds a BS in Psychology.  Michelle specializes in the neck and back and her objective for every client is to address and relieve their tension, aches, and pains using Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Myofascial techniques.  Clearing the mind while alleviating the effects of stress on the body, helps to promote physical and psychological health and wellness.  This is the ultimate goal that she hopes to help all of her clients achieve and maintain.

Andrea Spadafora

Thirteen years ago, Andrea began his career as a massage therapist in Italy where he worked in varioius resort spas throughout the country, including the internationally known Adler Spa in Tuscany. In 2006, Andrea’s adventures brought him to the USA. Though he had left his beautiful home country, he continued his massage career. He was graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage and is now Nationally Certified by the Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, he is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association, and is a Registered Massage Practitioner in Maryland. Andrea sees massage therapy as a way to provide physiological and psychological balance and well-being. His passion for his work is appreciated by all his clients, who experience better recovery from workouts, relief from stress and pain, and overall improved vitality after their massage.

Sherry Weber
LMT

Sherry has been a practicing massage therapist for over ten years. She is a graduate of The Baltimore School of Massage. She has experience working in a variety of settings. She has worked extensively with seniors, worked with parents and caregivers teaching infant massage, in corporate offices, health fairs, and wellness retreats doing seated massage. Her toolbox includes techniques from Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial and Thai massage. Sherry believes that massage and yoga belong together, and are two of the best things you can do for yourself! She considers herself blessed to be doing what she loves!