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.
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 earning 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 23,000 clients.
Her Massage Therapy work focuses on chronic neck, back, and TMJ issues. Franci's background includes work in OSHA training, workers' compensation injuries, on-site workers' safety, ergonomics, and EMS, along with years of working in a hospital setting.
Meet Our Therapists
JENNY ROYER
BS, LMT, NCTMB, Certified Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, Certified Canine Massage Therapist, Certified ReflexologistJenny Royer is our most experienced Therapist. She specializes in Lymphatic Drainage for post-surgical therapy. After completing her BS degree, she worked in a physical therapy office while attending Massage Therapy training. Because of her advanced training across many areas, Jenny handles many of our most complex 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 through Saturday.
BETH RYAN
AS, LMT, Certified Prenatal Therapist and Certified Pilates InstructorBeth 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 offers Medical Massage, Pain Management, Myofascial Release, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Hot Stone Massage sessions. Beth has special insight into Sports Therapy due to her Pilates training and background in exercise physiology. 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 EstheticianJennifer 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.
Marita Ray
BS, LMT, NCTMBAfter 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.
Mossy Paradise
AS, LMT, NCTMBMossy'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
LMT, NCTMB, Certified in Transformational HealingAs 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.
Lola Szydlo
BS, LMT, Reiki MasterLola 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 bachelor's degree in Biology from UConn in 1996. As a biologist, she shared her love of the outdoors by teaching environmental education to children. During that time she also pursued her passion for 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 pursued her interest in healing arts by becoming a licensed massage therapist. Lola combines both science and spirit with her knowledge and compassion.
Heather Smith
BS, LMTHeather'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).
Laura Cullen
LMT, Certified Canine Massage TherapistLaura 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.
Ashlee Shaw
LMTAshlee 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, MSDr. 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
LMTLiz 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
LMTKelley offers Deep Tissue Massage, Classic Swedish Massage, Ashiatsu, Thai Massage, Hot Stone Massage and Couples Massage. 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 treat each body as though it is irreplaceable marble out of which I carve more space for joy and connection."
Michelle Bassett
LMTMichelle 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.
Dr. Lisa M. LaRosa
PsychologistDr. Lisa LaRosa is a psychologist who has been a therapist for over 30 years. Because science shows that stress and trauma are stored in the body, her practice has expanded to learn new modalities that treat both mind and body. She provides multiple bodywork modalities including Craniosacral Therapy; Reiki and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in an integrated practice. She also has advanced trainings in medical hypnosis.
Jennifer Valentine
LMTJen is a 2005 graduate of the massage therapy program at New Hampshire Institute of Therapeutic Arts in Maine. She obtained certification from The Core Institute in 2009 in her favorite modality: Myofascial Release. Myofascial technique is deeply relaxing and deeply effective at the same time. Working at a 45-degree angle is gentler on the client and the therapist, so deep work can be done with no painful recoil in the days following the bodywork. Aside from massage, Jen is an actor, wife, mom and dogmom. She enjoys nature, her family and performing on local stages every chance she gets!
Marta Cucka
LMTMarta offers Deep Tissue, Assisted Stretching, Sports Massage, Classic Relaxation Massage, Prenatal Massage and Hot Stone Therapy. Marta is a CT Licensed Esthetician and a Massage Therapist with over 14 years of experience who has trained in both Europe and the USA. She has obtained her CT Massage Therapist license, passed the National Massage Therapy Board certification exam and has become a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association.
Virginia Yoon
Licensed Massage TherapistVirginia is a graduate of the Swedish Institute for Massage and Allied Health Sciences in New York City. She brings a wealth of experience to her favorite bodywork modalities including CranioSacral therapy, Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, lymph drainage and Reiki. She is also a graduate of Smith College and a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association.
Venus
Happiness TherapistOur Greeter will be deeply missed! 2009 ~ 2025
Gary Tartaglino
Facilities ManagerGary 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.