I didn't start out in this field. I grew up in Charlottesville, VA and attended Randolph-Macon College (http://www.rmc.edu) in Ashland, VA from 1997-2001 and received a B.A. in English & Drama. After a year of "soul searching" and trying to decide whether I really wanted to pursue my Dramatic interests in NYC, I decided to pull a geographic and vocational 180 in 2002 by moving to Charleston, SC and becoming a massage therapist.

Once in Charleston, I chose what, in my eyes, was the most well-rounded massage program in Charleston at The Southeastern School of Neuromuscular & Massage Therapy (http://www.southeasternmassageschools.com), which I attended from November 2002-November 2003. While doing school part-time, I was worked full-time as a spa coordinator at Earthling Day Spa (http://www.earthlingdayspa.com) in downtown Charleston. I was fortunate enough to become assistant manager fairly quickly, working directly under owner Aby Cass my last 3+ years there.

I officially became a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of SC on April 1, 2004. I played the role of both assistant spa manager and massage therapist until July 2006, at which point I demoted myself to "just" massage therapist for my sanity. I also picked up a second massage therapy position at Glow Spa in Mt. Pleasant in July 2006. In February 2007, I was hired by Kiawah Island Golf Resort to work at The Sanctuary Spa (http://www.kiawahresort.com/spa/). One of the more difficult decisions in my life was quitting Earthling to get that extra bit of experience in a different spa. I spent my last few months in Charleston between Glow Spa and The Sanctuary. As bittersweet as it was (as I had grown to love Charleston on so many levels), I decided to migrate back to Central Virginia. I needed to be near my family again.

After acquiring my massage certification from the state of VA, I moved from Charleston to Richmond in July 2007 and immediately began working at Metamorphosis Mind & Body Boutique (which has since gone out of business) in Richmond's West End and attending both the Basic & Advanced Aesthetics programs at The American Spirit Institute (http://www.americanspiritinstitute.com). I finished both programs in January 2008 and received my Master Aesthetician license in March 2008. I also taught massage at The American Spirit Institute from January 2008 through June 2010.

I now live in Charlottesville and work for myself only part-time (Mondays and Tuesdays) in Richmond, which is exactly what I need to be doing right now. I look forward to seeing how my business will evolve as I continue to learn about and pursue my interests. In addition to working for myself, I now also work part-time at The Spa @ ACAC in Charlottesville (http://cville.acac.com/spa.html) as their Master Aesthetician, as well as a massage therapist. I'm very much enjoying being part of a team again, in addition to having access to more advanced skincare equipment and product lines.

I attended my first birth as a Doula on May 22, 2009 and my second birth on December 10, 2009. Both were amazing, beautiful experiences and I am forever grateful to have been invited to partake in the births of these delightful little humans. I look forward to continuing to assist women throughout their childbirthing experiences, bringing children into the world in as gentle a way as possible. I have been invited to be the Doula for another lovely, expecting couple in February 2011.

CONTINUING EDUCATION:
26-hour Labor Assistant/Birth Doula training workshop through ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators) in Charleston, SC.

14-CEUs (NCBTMB approved) in Prenatal Massage through Advanced Alternatives in Jamestown, NC.

40-CEUs (NCBTMB approved) in Traditional Thai Yoga Massage through the Thai Institute of Healing Arts in Arlington, VA.

6-CEUs (NCBTMB approved) Introduction to Craniosacral through Cross Country Education.