After over 25 years of working as a Registered Massage Therapist Denise is still enthusiastic about her work. A strong desire to learn about the human body is what attracted her to massage therapy and that quest for knowledge is still there. Since graduating from WCCMT she has studied cranial-sacral therapy, visceral manipulation, myofascial release and lymph drainage, all of which contribute to how she approaches treatment.

Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique used to alleviate pain and discomfort by releasing tension in the fascia, which is the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs in the body. This technique is often used in physical therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic care.

Fascia can become tight or restricted due to factors such as injury, pregnancy, overuse, poor posture, or stress, which can lead to pain, limited range of motion, and decreased flexibility.

Myofascial release aims to restore the natural flexibility and function of the fascia by applying sustained pressure and stretching techniques to the affected areas. There is no use of oil in her treatments with the primary focus towards the fascial system.

Some of the conditions commonly treated with myofascial release include:

• Muscle Tension and Pain • Fibromyalgia • Chronic Back Pain • Neck Tension and pain • Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction • Headaches and Migraines • Scar Tissue Adhesions • Postural Imbalances • Sports Injuries • Repetitive Strain Injuries • Lymphedema

After over 25 years of working as a Registered Massage Therapist Denise is still enthusiastic abo... Read More

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Works Tuesday and Thursday morning and Wednesday afternoon

Lorisa chose to pursue a career in Registered Massage Therapy because she wanted to understand the human body at a deeper and more educational level. She graduated from Vancouver College of Massage Therapy in 2013 learning that the most effective way of treating the human body is as a whole unit.

Her training consisted of two years of intense study of anatomy, physiology, clinical sciences, orthopedic assessment and massage therapy techniques. These styles of treatment include Swedish massage, neuromuscular therapy, fascial release, sports injury treatment and pregnancy massage. She is knowledgeable and precise with lower back and neck injuries as well as treatments working with mothers during their childbearing years. Lorisa also has a passion for working with children and infants and is continuing to gain knowledge and experience working with them. As a mother of two young children she has seen the positive effects that massage can have on their mental and physical wellbeing.

Lorisa uses myofascial techniques that progress into focused deep tissue massage followed by fluid, flushing strokes. Her intentions are to slowly unwind and release restrictions in muscle and connective tissue as the pain we feel in one place may be caused or reinforced by a pattern somewhere else.

Works Tuesday and Thursday morning and Wednesday afternoon Lorisa chose to pursue a career in Re... Read More

Rhiannon treats with a slow calm pace, always moderating pressure and technique to try and tailor treatment for each individual. She uses a variety of techniques including myofascial, Swedish massage, ligament articular strain (LAST), dermoneuromodulation (DNM), and stretching. She has worked to help people during the pre and postnatal period, during recovery from motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, for stress management, supporting people managing chronic pain as well as with general aches and pains that occur from daily life. Before becoming an RMT she earned her BFA from UBC and then spent 3 years teaching English in Japan. She then realized that she wanted to combine her desire to help others, work with her hands and interest in anatomy and biology together, graduating from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2007. She has been giving back to her profession as a teacher since 2012 and currently teaches at Langara College. While not a particularly gifted athlete she loves to keep active. She currently does kickboxing to keep fit, but has also in the past practiced Jujitsu (earning a black belt), windsurfed for several years, and worked as a lifeguard. Always interested in learning, she is always happy to answer questions to the best of her ability and to work with people to determine the best way to support them as a massage therapist.

Rhiannon treats with a slow calm pace, always moderating pressure and technique to try and tailor... Read More

Shaina’s calling to care for others started early. As a child, she loved babies and animals, and with three younger siblings, she was always mama’s helper with the little ones. This gift for nurturing others planted the seed to hold space for people via massage therapy. Even her first career as a chef focused on nourishment with healthy food. A back injury in Shaina’s early 20’s turned into chronic back pain, and led her to many therapies in a quest to heal herself. Massage and yoga were the practices that helped the most, and Shaina followed these paths to become both a massage therapist and a yoga teacher.

She attended the West Coast College of Massage in New Westminster, graduating in 2013, and has been practicing in Vancouver since then. During massage school, and in her practice afterwards, she noticed that some clients responded well to massage and healed quickly, but other people, including herself, had chronic tension and pain that was only helped temporarily by massage.

Through a variety of professional training and her own healing journey, Shaina has found that chronic tension and pain responds to a reassuring and gentle hands-on approach, with the addition of mindful movement and focused breathing. This way of working allows holding patterns to unwind naturally, and helps the nervous system settle and release stress.

Shaina’s massage practice aims to create a safe and welcoming space for all people, and she works slowly and mindfully, encouraging feedback and communication. She combines Swedish Massage, Trigger Point Release, Myofacsial Release, assisted stretching, and guided breathing and relaxation. She enjoys working with pregnant and post-partum parents, those recovering from car accidents and other physical trauma, chronic pain and headaches, and anyone who is curious about feeling ease in their body.

Shaina’s calling to care for others started early. As a child, she loved babies and animals, and ... Read More

October 2022 - Natasha currently has a waitlist; please email info@vanfct.com to be added

From a very young age, Natasha realized her life’s purpose was to help people. From an undergraduate degree in Biology, to a Masters in Teaching, to finally a diploma in Transpersonal Counselling Psychology – Natasha’s path to becoming a counsellor has been anything but conventional. Currently, Natasha is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists with over 5 years of counselling experience in private practice.

The focus of Natasha’s counselling has evolved over time from working with individuals, couples and families to working with women experiencing pregnancy and infant loss, infertility, and “stuckness”. Natasha values counselling that is caring, non-judgmental, guided by curiosity and supportive of the individual and their goals.

Natasha’s approach to counselling is a multidisciplinary one: which includes your spirituality, family systems theory, mindfulness, Cognitive and Gestalt therapies. Through the use of these approaches, she will look at the driving force behind your patterns and explore different options and perspectives. The counselling process is an opportunity to correct mistaken beliefs and develop an understanding of self and other in order to invite connection and love. Ultimately, as her client, you bring the content and set the pace for the course of your work together. She is here to support and facilitate you to reach your goals.

Natasha offers a free 15min phone wellness consultation to determine if the client and her are a good fit. Stay tuned for group counselling sessions geared toward families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss as well as a group for people struggling with infertility.

Testimonials

“Natasha is very talented at what she does. A session never feels wasted; is always able to meet me where I am and help push me higher.”

“Natasha is truly a breath of fresh air. She was there for me when I was at my lowest point, and skillfully and lovingly made me feel like it was all going to be okay. She is gentle, yet focused, and doesn’t let people wallow for too long before helping them find solutions. I am so grateful to have her in my life.”

October 2022 - Natasha currently has a waitlist; please email info@vanfct.com to be added From a... Read More

** March 2024 - Kirsten in not accepting any new patients at this time. To be added to her waitlist, please email : info@vanfct.com**

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master’s degree in Expressive Arts Therapy and Psychology. I hold additional Certification in Relational Somatic Therapy, as well as training in Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I also teach at Rhodes Wellness College and at Vancouver School of Bodywork and Massage. My therapeutic work promotes self-discovery and growth through body, mind and emotional awareness.

At Family Center Therapeutics, I provide creative and compassionate therapeutic sessions for individuals and groups aimed to:

• Develop the skills required to address challenging situations

• Clarify personal values and goals

• Cultivate a deep sense of self-acceptance and personal strength

• Take meaningful steps toward personal empowerment

• Recover strength and courage in the face of challenges

• Manage anxiety and stress

• Establish strategies for self-care

• Navigate challenging relationships effectively

I work with issues related to trauma, grief, anxiety, depression and relationships. My work draws from holistic counselling approaches including the arts, bodywork, mindfulness and cognitive therapies. Therapy is individually tailored to your needs, beginning with an understanding of your unique circumstances and concerns. Together, we will discuss your specific requirements and clarify a pathway to achieving your goals.

Please contact me at info@vanfct.com with your enquiries. It is my pleasure to provide further details regarding individual therapy and group workshops.

** Not accepting new clients - please e-mail to be waitlisted: info!@vanfct.com** Works Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon/evening

** March 2024 - Kirsten in not accepting any new patients at this time. To be added to her waitli... Read More

WORKS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

Rebekka has been fascinated by alternative healing arts from a young age, learning from her mother how to use herbal medicine and poultices for ailments and minor illnesses.

After giving birth to her first child at home with a doula and midwife, her interest in women’s health was ignited and she took the birth doula training at Douglas College. Rebekka supported a handful of women and their partners through their birth experiences before taking some time to travel abroad extensively with her family.

After giving birth to her second child, her interest for supporting people on their paths of healing was sparked again, and she completed her schooling at the Vancouver School of Massage Therapy (VCMT).

Rebekka started her career as an RMT in 2016. It is her goal to support her clients in healing injuries as well as providing space for relaxation and peace from daily stresses. She has experience working with children and teenagers, and enjoys working with people during pregnancy and post-partum. In her practice she uses a combination of manual techniques such as myofascial release, neuromuscular tenchniques, muscle energy techniques, trigger point release, joint mobilization, Swedish relaxation massage, as well as manual lymph drainage techniques.

WORKS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY Rebekka has been fascinated by alternative healing arts from a young a... Read More

Tania has a keen passion for the healing arts. She is sensitive to the needs of not only the body, but also of the mind and spirit, believing that none can be separated from the others. She encourages healing on a holistic level. Tania graduated from the massage therapy program at Utopia Academy in 2010. She is passionate about her practice and is excited by the current research pointing to the many benefits of massage therapy. She is a very compassionate, calm, grounded and gifted therapist.

Tania believes every individual is unique and tailors each treatment specifically to each client. Tania enjoys treating individuals with a wide variety of conditions. She employs several massage therapy techniques in her practice, but her primary practice involves use of myofascial techniques, including Course of Applied Tensegrity (CoAT). This is a very gentle, subtle, yet effective technique.

Client education is also integrated into her sessions, as she strives to empower each individual to take charge of their health.

Prior to being a massage therapist, Tania worked in a variety of medical and scientific settings. She has an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Waterloo and a master’s degree in Biological Sciences from Stanford University. With her unique combination of education and work experience, Tania plans to ultimately contribute to clinical research in massage therapy.

She acknowledges that she provides her services on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Tania has a keen passion for the healing arts. She is sensitive to the needs of not only the bod... Read More

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Danielle’s unique educational background started with certification as an Equine Sports Therapist in 2010 from the BC College of Equine Sports Therapy, followed by a Certification as a Spa Therapist from the Vancouver School of Bodywork and Massage in 2012. Becoming a Registered Massage therapist was the natural progression, combining her passion for holistic care with anatomy and physiology. She graduated from the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy in 2019. Though Danielle is versatile in her ability to utilize a variety of techniques to accommodate each patient’s individual needs, her ability to work tissue deeply while still providing a relaxing treatment is what comes naturally to her as a therapist. Patients should expect to spend a few minutes at the beginning and end of their appointment going over their treatment needs and home care plan. Danielle’s passion for helping people is evident in both her personal and professional life. As a therapist she takes great pride in taking meticulous care of her patients needs and comfort while working with them on their personal care goals. In Danielle’s personal life she can be found running her Charity Leash of Hope Assistance Dogs, where she rescues dogs and trains them to be guide or service dogs for people with disabilities. In 2019 Danielle’s charitable work was recognized by L’Oreal with Women of Worth Award. Running Leash of Hope has facilitated her knowledge and competency working with patients with specific needs such as those who are mobility aid users, or have visual or hearing impairments. She also actively participates in adapted sport such as blind tennis and hockey, equestrian sports, running and is currently a carded regional athlete as a competitive rower.

Tips for helping your session go smoothly with a blind therapist. Danielle will guide you through what she needs, but please note the following: -Be communicative and specific. Avoid pointing and saying things such as “I have pain here”. -Inform Danielle of any open wounds, rashes or areas on the body that should be avoided. A sighted therapist will avoid these concerns automatically however since Danielle cannot see them she needs your help to be conscious of where to avoid. -Don’t move furniture or items around. It can be hazardous and impede Danielle’s ability to move around the room smoothly during your treatment. -Leave all your belongings in the designated area. Do not bring your cell phone onto the treatment table. Avoid leaving your shoes around the table, or let Danielle know they are there. -Remove any dangly jewelry. -Be courteous to her guide dog Starling (during your session she may be in the treatment room.) It is understandable that not everyone likes dogs, however Starling is specially trained to assist Danielle get around safely. It is important not to feed or distract Starling from doing her job, especially when in harness. When Starling is off duty on her dog bed, you might be able to interact with her if you ask first.

Danielle’s unique educational background started with certification as an Equine Sports Therapist... Read More