Find the Right Therapists for Your Needs

Our Massage Therapists have advanced training in Pain Management Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Medical Massage, Deep Tissue Therapy, Gentle Relaxation Classic Massage for Stress Prevention, Hot Stone Massage, Sports Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Traditional Thai Massage, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, Chair Massage, Couples Massage, Couples Massage Training Classes.

An expert Massage Therapist is on our team for body and facial treatments such as Microdermabrasion, Synergie Body and Face Sculpting, Hot Stone Facial Massage, Classic Facial Massage, Infrared LED Light Therapy,

We have other therapists who specialize in Reiki, Acupuncture and Hypnosis.

Francois "Franci" Knight - Therapists

Francoise "Franci" Knight

BS, CMS-CHt, FIBH, LMT

Franci is a Certified Medical Support and Pain Management Hypnotherapist with over 600 hours of training.  She is also trained or certified in several advanced areas including birth hypnosis and NLP.

Hypnotherapy changes behavior by helping you change your thought process.  Franci has had a passion for this field of study since first discovering it while obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree, with concentrations in Psychology and Education, in 1993.

Franci graduated from Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in 1997 and started A Healing Trail Wellness Center as a one-therapist office on Main Street in Torrington.  The office has since grown to 20+ therapists with over 21,000 clients.

Her Massage Therapy work focuses on chronic neck, back and TMJ issues.  Franci's background includes work in OSHA training, worker's compensation injuries, on-site worker's safety, ergonomics and EMS, along with years of working in a hospital setting.

Franci lives in Harwinton with her two dogs, Venus and Cooper.

Meet Our Therapists

Jenny Royer, therapist

Jenny Royer

BS, LMT, NCTMB, Certified Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, Certified Canine Massage Therapist, Certified Reflexologist
Jenny Royer is our most experienced Therapist. She specializes in Lymphatic Drainage for post-surgical therapy. After completing her BS degree, she went to work in a physical therapy office while she attended Massage Therapy training. Because of her advanced training in many areas, Jenny sees many of our most complicated cases. She graduated from CT Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) in 1997 and has been a full time Therapist at A Healing Trail since 1998. Jenny is available in our Harwinton office Monday thru Saturday.

Beth Ryan

AS, LMT, Certified Prenatal Therapist and Certified Pilates Instructor
Beth is a Connecticut Licensed and Nationally Board Certified Massage Therapist who graduated from the Connecticut Center of Massage Therapy in 2000. She is certified in Prenatal Massage and also offers Medical Massage, Pain Management, Myofascial Release, Sports, Deep Tissue and Hot Stone Massage sessions. Beth has special insight into Sports Therapy because of her Pilates training and exercise physiology background. Beth has been with A Healing Trail since 2002. When she’s not at a Cape Cod beach, Beth enjoys running, bike rides, and searching for the perfect cup of chowder. She and her husband John have two wonderful children.

Jennifer Storti

LMT, Certified Esthetician
Jennifer has been with us as a full time Massage Therapist since 2003. She provides Pain Management Massage, Scar Tissue Release, Hot Stone, Deep Tissue and classic relaxation massage. She is also a certified Aesthetician and provides all our skin care services including the "Ultimate Facial" which is a combination of a massage, classic facial, Synergie facial sculpting, microdermabrasion and either infrared or blue light therapy.
Therapists - Marita Ray, BS, LMT, NCTMB

Marita Ray

BS, LMT, NCTMB
After many years of working as a Medical Technologist in our local hospital blood bank, Marita switched to Massage Therapy and graduated from CCMT in 1999. She does sports massage, deep tissue and hot stone therapy. Marita has been with A Healing Trail since 2002.
Therapists - Mossy Paradise, AS, LMT, NCTMB

Mossy Paradise

AS, LMT, NCTMB
Mossy's vast experience can bring you a unique blend of specific deep work, relaxation and energy work. She offers Hot Stone, Deep Tissue and Pain Management sessions. Mossy has been with A Healing Trail since 2004.
Gail Lavoie - one of our Massage Therapists

Gail Lavoie

LMT, NCTMB, Certified in Transformational Healing
As a 1995 graduate of the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, Gail is experienced in Medical Lymphatic Drainage, Pain Management, Deep Tissue and Classic massage. She is also a certified Transformational Energy Healer. Gail lives on a farm in Goshen where she cares for her family and her horses.
Therapists - Lola Szydlo, BS, LMT, Reiki Master

Lola Szydlo

BS, LMT, Reiki Master
Lola graduated with honors from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) in 2013. She then served several terms as a teacher for the CCMT science department. She offers a variety of bodywork styles including; Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Sports and Reiki. Lola also enjoys teaching Couples Massage Training Classes. Lola grew up on a small farm surrounded by nature. Her love of nature led her to receive her bachelors degree in Biology from UConn in 1996. As a biologist, she shared her respect and love of the outdoors by teaching environmental education to children. During that time she also pursued her passion for personal growth and healing by becoming a Reiki Master in 2006. After 18 years as an environmental educator, she decided to be of service in a different way and further pursued her interest in healing arts by becoming a licensed massage therapist. Lola combines both science and spirit with her knowledge and hands on skills together with her intuition and compassion.
Therapists - Mary Beth Lamlein, LMT

Mary Beth Lamlein

LMT
Mary Beth has been a Massage Therapist for over fifteen years. She is a graduate of The Massage School, Easthampton, MA, and specializes in Advanced Pregnancy Massage, as well as Hot Stone, Deep Tissue, Swedish and Thai Massage. In addition, Mary Beth is an independent birth doula, assisting at births throughout central Connecticut. A happy wife and Mom, Mary Beth lives in Bristol with her husband and three sons.
Therapists - Heather Smith, BS, LMT

Heather Smith

BS, LMT
Heather's therapeutic massage style is a combination of nurturing Swedish elements and specific treatment work, while integrating elements of acupressure. She is available for gentle relaxation massage and deep tissue work. Heather is a graduate of the Clinical Program at Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT). She is a former teaching assistant at CCMT and has assisted both anatomy/physiology classes and hands-on courses. She is licensed in CT and NY and is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).
Therapists - Laura Mortensen, LMT

Laura Cullen

LMT, Certified Canine Massage Therapist
Laura loves using massage techniques to help alleviate stress and muscle adhesions to aid in pain management. Laura offers deep tissue, sports massage, hot stone therapy, and energy healing by balancing the chakras of the body. By blending Western and Eastern theories, Laura brings balance and harmony to each client through mind, body, and soul. Laura graduated from The Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy in 2012. After four years of working in NY, she received her CT State License for massage in 2016 right before moving to CT.
Therapists - Ashlee Shaw, LMT

Ashlee Shaw

LMT
Ashlee is a graduate of CCMT, and is a CT Licensed Massage Therapist and Esthetician. She brings her excitement for promoting a wholistic lifestyle to her clients as she embraces her own passion for overall self-wellness. She integrates massage techniques to aid in pain management, general relaxation, Ashiatsu Bar, Thai massage, craniosacral techniques, stress relief, along with reiki and energy work. Her love for healing drives her motivation to make a positive impact in other people's lives. Ashlee grew up on a small farm with her family, and has a love for animals, herbalism and Mother Nature. Her hobbies include kayaking, yoga, hiking, being out in nature, gardening, meditation and reading: therefore she combines massage therapy with her lifestyle which enables her to understand movement, muscle strains, and imbalance in a very personal way.

Mark Mashia, DC, MS

Mark Mashia

DC, MS
Dr. Mark Mashia is a chiropractic physician by training. In addition to the practice of chiropractic medicine, he has also completed the certificate program in “Structural Acupuncture for Physician” at the Harvard School of Medicine. He practices a Japanese style of acupuncture based on the work of Master Nagano and internationally known Kiiko Matsumoto. He is also trained in the Mei Zen cosmetic acupuncture system for facial and neck rejuvenation.
Liz Kinne - One of our Massage Therapists

Liz Kinne

LMT
Liz tailors her massage to each individual client’s needs and physical abilities. In addition to Deep Tissue and Swedish Massage, Liz’s specialties include: Myofascial Release; Lumbar, Spine, and Pelvis; Headache and Cervical Pain and Foot Reflexology. Liz began her career in Massage Therapy over twelve years ago and is a graduate of the CORE Institute of Massage Therapy in Tallahassee, FL. She also completed coursework through the Steiner Education Group and the CT Center of Massage Therapy in Newington. Most of her experience has been in clinical settings or wellness centers which gives her broad experience in not only traditional massage techniques but also a wide variety of other massage therapies.

Kelley Gleason

LMT
Kelley offers Deep Tissue Massage, Classic Swedish Massage, Ashiatsu, Thai Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Couples Massage and she is certified in Zero Balancing. From Kelley: "Massage therapy found me at a young age. I was in my late teens and eager to be of service. I attended a discovery workshop at Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (now, Cortiva institute) and quickly realized that I was on the right track. Being present with people and their bodies has been such a privilege. I've studied many different types of modalities, adding to my advanced skills along the way. Yet the wisdom I always come back to is inspired by Thomas Meyers & James Earls from their book Fascial Release for Structural balance: "Each moment should be carried out with the same care and attention as that of the sculptor's chisel on irreplaceable marble". To me, there are so many metaphors within this quote. I like to invoke the obvious one when working with people's bodies. I treat each body as though it is irreplaceable marble out of which I carve more space for joy and connection."

Pedro Gonzalez

LMT
Pedro is an experienced massage therapist providing bodywork focused on pain relief, rehabilitation and recovery from injury. Pedro offers Deep Tissue, Assisted Stretching, Sports Massage and Classic Relaxation Massage. He began his Massage Therapy career in Puerto Rico in 2009 and spent the first 8 years working with a Chiropractor specializing in agility fitness. Since moving to CT he has obtained his CT Massage Therapist license, passed the National Massage Therapy Board certification exam and became a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association. He now looks forward to assisting the clients at A Healing Trail. Pedro lives in Torrington with his wife and two young children. Fluent in Spanish and English.

Maria Russo

LMT
From Maria: "As a seasoned therapist, I am very intuitive, and tuned into each of my clients specific needs. I am very honored to do this work, and it is always my intention to help each client achieve the very best result for their individual needs. I have trained in a variety of different modalities including: Swedish massage, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Prenatal, Acupressure, Trigger Point, Hot Stone, and Sports Massage." I began my training in massage therapy at the Florida School of Massage. I am licensed in the states of New York and Connecticut as well as nationally board certified. I am certified in CPR & First Aid and a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association.

Michelle Bassett

LMT
Michelle uses a blend of education, skill, anatomy and intuition in her approach to massage therapy. Living with pain is not easy and her goal is to help people reduce their pain as much as possible, relax their nervous system, regain range of motion and optimism for living! Michelle has been a licensed massage therapist in CT since 2018. Michelle lives in Burlington and she has a passion for making jewelry, crystals, music and nature.

Kayla Colon

LMT

Kayla is a caring, professional and compassionate therapist who takes the time to get to know each client. She believes that massage is more than just a physical treatment. It is also a way to connect with your body and mind and to promote overall well-being. Kayla graduated from CCMT 2018.

Venus

Happiness Therapist
Our Greeter!
Gary Tartaglino, Facilities Manager

Gary Tartaglino

Facilities Manager
Gary helped Franci start A Healing Trail in 1997. At first Gary continued to work his full time job until A Healing Trail grew to two locations in 2003. At that time, Gary joined the business full time. His work here is diverse. Not only does he take care of the building maintenance, he also helps with Therapist and client scheduling and does all our plowing, mowing, computer IT, HVAC, plumbing and electrical… Gary’s background is in electronics. He worked for the defense industry for 20+ years. During that time, he traveled the world installing radar systems.

Learn More About Services Our Therapists Offer