MEET OUR PRACTITIONERS: MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Theresa Ribeiro, Massage Therapist
After 10 years of careful thought and soul searching, Theresa decided to finally take a step towards her ultimate goal and passion of practicing massage. With several years working in both the spa setting and the field of rehabilitation, Theresa has the skill and capacity to blend a deeply therapeutic session with ultimate relaxation.
Understanding that each client has unique needs and goals, Theresa creates a custom-tailored treatment by applying her extensive knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and kinesiology. She is certified in Swedish, Deep Tissue/Athletic (her favorite), Trigger Point, Prenatal, Aromatherapy, and Thai Massage. Clients are always quick to comment on her ability to “go right where the pain is” and/or having the strength to get to the deepest of tissue.
Her techniques are strong, specific, and deliberate. You’ll find her approach to her work to be one that gently eases you into the treatment and leaves you feeling rejuvenated and 'worked over'. Her intuitive touch comes across in every session.
*Book with Theresa on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday + Friday
Lisa Nelson, Massage Therapist
Lisa’s journey with healing began in the early 1990s when her Reiki training opened her up to the power of the healing energy in all of us. For many years to follow she worked full-time homeschooling her 3 kids until the day came she could follow her passion in the healing arts. In 2013 she graduated from the Cape Cod Community College and began her career as a massage therapist.
Lisa has gone on to further her training with CranioSacral, Trigger Point Therapy and in 2020 she completed her training in Reflexology. Lisa loves offering Pregnancy Massage and adding hot stones to her work. Her style is thoughtful, creative, and strong with a deep focus on relaxation and restoration.
She is committed to her own self-care practice of daily Qi gong, swimming in the chilly waters of East Sandwich Beach, and monthly massages.
*Book with Lisa on Monday, Tuesday, Friday + Saturday
Winny Harlow, Massage Therapist
Having always been a natural caregiver, interested in health and wellness, Winny pursued a career in massage therapy in 2015. After graduating from SpaTech School of Esthetics & Massage Therapy, Winny worked in a variety of prestigious spas and health centers in Boston.
Winny’s style is a great balance of therapeutic and deeply relaxing. She loves to focus on specific areas of tension - finding most of her clients carry their stress in their upper back, neck, and lower back. She loves incorporating various stretching techniques throughout her sessions.
Winny aims to provide the most holistic method for relaxation and stress relief for her clients while helping them feel like the best version of themselves. She looks forward to building relationships with her clients to help them achieve their wellness goals and overcome the stresses of daily life.
*Book with Winnie on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays + Saturdays
Cassidy Rouland, Massage Therapist
In her early twenties Cassidy started working as a chiropractor assistant. She decided to take this job after realizing how chiropractic care and other practitioner care was helping her through concussions and car accident related injuries. During her time there, her interest in helping people through bodywork grew. This eventually led to her enrolling in massage school with the intent of focusing on sports massage, and injury recovery type work.
Her education is through New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts. There she was trained in: Swedish Massage, European Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage, Circulatory Massage, Reflexology, Sports Massage, and a PNF technique called Strain-Counter-Strain. Since graduating she’s taken continual education courses on: other PNF techniques, massage for whip lash and other head/neck injuries, cupping, and further studies on sports massage. All of this has helped her focus on the work she hopes to do in helping people recover from pain and injury. You will notice her massages combine many techniques and are customized to the individual while keeping it relaxing and therapeutic. It’s her desire to continue learning about our amazing bodies and all the ways we can help bring them back to a state of balance.
In her free time she loves spending time with her husband and family, getting out into nature, cooking, reading, exercising and learning new things.
*Book with Cassidy on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays + Saturdays
Elena Zheleva, Massage Therapist
Elena’s journey with healing began with the interest in her own well being - physical, mental and emotional which she found coexist together, and depend on each other for support, balance and strength.
Recognizing this connection and interdependence, she followed her curiosity and intuition to explore yoga to support her into motherhood. This led her to getting her yoga teacher certification through the Kriya Yoga Temple in Chicago. In one of her retreats, she came out with her heart calling for her to pursue massage training. She heard the message loud and clear! With her young boys by her side, she graduated from the Massage Institute of Cape Cod. She has been exploring different modalities since then, her main focus being the needs and comfort of the client on the table. Her wonder and curiosity continues with her studies in Ayurveda, currently enrolled in a one year program focusing on digestion and gut health.
Her style is intuitive, drawing from eastern and western modalities, and her intention is to deeply nourish the nervous system so the body can restore itself naturally to its perfect equilibrium. Elena’s touch carries deep awareness, compassion and curiosity with the intent to heal, integrate, create ease, and relaxation - physically, mentally and emotionally.
*Book with Elena on Mondays, Tuesdays + Wednesdays
Gustavo Feres, Massage Therapist
Gustavo Feres moved to Cape Cod from Rio de Janero, Brazil in June 2022. In Brazil, Gustavo held a degree as a Physical Therapist since 2008. For 15 years he worked at a Physical Therapy clinic called Physioscience (2006-2011) and at Marcílio Dias Navy Hospital (2011-2019), both in Rio de Janeiro.
Always looking to advance his understanding about the human body, Gustavo continued his manual skills with many different techniques throughout the years. He graduated from the Structural Integration from the Rolfing Institute in 2014 and continued his advanced training in Rolfing in 2022.
In addition, he has been trained in the Lowens Systems Dynamic Manual Interface 2018 on Visceral Manipulation at Barral Institute 2015, studying the assessment of Structural Relationships between Viscera, and their Fascial or Ligamentous Attachments to the Musculoskeletal System.
Upon moving to the Cape in 2022, Gustavo enrolled in the Cape Cod Massage Institute where he completed his certification in June, 2023. He is thrilled to continue his work as a Massage Therapist and bodyworker at Therapeutic Bodywork. Gustavo has a comprehensive understanding of the human body and over 20 years experience has a bodyworker. He works with men and women of all ages who are looking for pain relief, better balance in the body and deep relaxation.
When he’s not in the office, Gustavo loves spending time in nature with his wife, his son and two dogs.
*Book with Gustavo on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays + Saturdays
Sharon Ellis, Massage Therapist
As a Cape Cod native, growing up in the beautiful West Barnstable, Sharon’s journey includes many years in retail here on the Cape. Recognizing the transformative impact of personal connections, Sharon sought a profession that allows for a more direct and meaningful impact on individuals. The shift from retail to massage therapy signifies Sharon's commitment to aligning her career with her core values. By embracing massage therapy, she not only found a platform to hone her people skills but also discovered a unique avenue to contribute to personal development on a deeper, more holistic level.
Sharon is driven by a genuine desire to help clients feel better in their bodies through the power of intentional touch. Her approach to massage therapy goes beyond the physical, aiming to create a deeply therapeutic and transformative experience for each individual. With a focus on intentional touch, Sharon seeks to bring relief, relaxation, and a sense of well-being to her clients, fostering a holistic approach to healing and promoting a positive connection between the body and mind.
Sharon's commitment to personal growth extends beyond professional pursuits, with activities that nurture her own development. Whether immersed in the tranquility of nature or sharing meaningful moments with loved ones, her free time serves as a testament to dedication in both self-discovery and the cultivation of fulfilling connections.
*Book with Sharon on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays + Saturdays (evening appointments available)
Megan Kershaw, Massage Therapist
While a world traveler, Megan is thrilled to be working with clients on her home turf of Cape Cod. Her work in organic farming and yoga ultimately led her to pursue a career in bodywork, viewing these passions as the perfect triad intersecting body, mind, and spirit – the whole health package.
Megan’s intention is always one of promoting well-being by way of total relaxation; believing it is in this state that the body’s innate ability to restore and heal itself is affirmed.
Her touch is both strong and deliberate, while laced with long effleurage strokes intended to bring your nervous system into balance and promote healing. Megan offers therapeutic and deep sessions.
*Book with Megan on Mondays, Wednesdays + Thursdays
Helene Illston
Helene has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2000. She has worked in a variety of settings, where she has always customized each session to suit the needs of her clients. Helene’s work is very integrative and can range from gentle relaxation to firm or deeper restorative techniques. She may also use gentle cupping techniques to soften the congested areas as well during her sessions.
For the last 8 years, Helene has been teaching massage at the Massage Institute of Cape Cod in Hyannis. We are thrilled to have Helene filling in for us at Therapeutic Bodywork as needed.
