Welcome, I am glad you have been guided here. This is a space for healing and ease. My name is Mary and I am a licensed massage therapist and an insured member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

At Iridescence Healing Arts, I am dedicated to facilitating healing and transformation through trauma-informed, somatic, and integrative therapeutic massage and energy work.  My mission is to curate a safe environment in which each client's unique journey toward physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is honored and supported. 

At the foundation of every session is a clean and calming space to relax into, where boundaries and comfort are of utmost importance. Choose from therapeutic massage and bodywork, energy work, or a combination of both (an integrative session); see the service menu for specific descriptions. Current offerings include relaxation massage (Swedish ranging from light to moderately deep pressure), prenatal massage, Craniosacral Therapy (CST), Reiki, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD; also known as lymph drainage, lymphatic massage or lymphatic drainage massage), and Sound/Frequency Therapy.  Intuitive sessions are offered upon request.

If you are interested in learning more about the specifics of massage, mindfulness and yoga, trauma awareness practices, somatic techniques, or energy work please feel free to reach out! Whether it's your first session or you have experience with work of this nature for many years, I welcome your questions and collaboration.  Connecting with people to empower them in their healing experiences brings joy to my practice as an ever evolving professional. I believe intentional experiences that relieve pain and regulate the nervous system equip us to integrate our humanity with daily life, ready to share our "inner light" with others.

~FAQS:

1. How do I know Mary is the right therapist for me? The intake process provides an opportunity to share preferences, goals for the session, and any pertinent health concerns so that she may reflect this knowledge and awareness in her work. Upon booking online, clients will receive a phone call from Mary within 2 business days for introductory purposes to determine if her work meets your current needs. If you and Mary decide your needs are outside of her scope of practice, she will happily refer you to another professional who can help! (¡También hablo español!)
2. Which modality is right for me? Massage therapy can be utilized for relaxation, therapeutic purposes, or both.  The length of your session depends on your needs and goals.  For questions or curiosities about Manual Lymphatic Drainage or Lymphatic Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Sound Therapy, and Reiki, see the description and benefits for these under their respective listing or, feel free to reach out to Mary directly by phone or email (contact located below). She can provide answers to your questions, point you to resources, refer you to other respectable professionals, or further explain the benefits of each to help you decide which option is right for you at this time.  Taking care of yourself is important and Mary values the process involved in helping people find their most suitable next step on their healing journey.
3. What can I expect at my first appointment? On the day of your appointment, Mary will welcome you outside Sanctuary, in the hallway of the third floor in Thornes Marketplace. You will enter Sanctuary together, remove shoes, and walk down the hall to her office space where you can discuss with her your present concerns, areas of tension, and ask any questions you may have. When Mary exits the office, if receiving a therapeutic massage, you will undress to your level of comfort, and get on the table underneath the sheet and blanket. Mary will return a few moments later, knock before entering to be sure you are settled in on the table, and provide you with a cup of water to drink throughout or after the session. Music is optional, some clients choose silence. Mary will begin the session with a brief moment of mindfulness (intention setting, grounding visualizations, and/or breathwork). She will remind you that you are encouraged to advocate for your preferred pressure and inform her if any technique needs adjusting during your time on the table to ensure your comfort. She is always learning, thus your feedback is both equally encouraged and valued.
4. What is trauma informed practice and how does it relate to massage therapy? Mary is aware of and sensitive to trauma and is educated on how to engage with people who have experienced it. This is incorporated into all therapeutic sessions through therapist and client collaboration such as check ins and informed consent. Mary informs clients prior to moving from working on one area of the body to another, checks in about draping (coverage with the sheet) to ensure clients feel safe and comfortable, and does not expose any area of the body that is not receiving therapeutic massage.  An outline of what to expect for the session is verbalized step by step while clients are clothed and before they get on the table.  There are options provided for the client to decide how to provide feedback to Mary during the session.  These include nonverbal gestures, for example, raising a finger to indicate pressure adjustment, or verbal options, such as a word or phrase or a number scale.  Mary also offers education throughout the session in the event clients wish to know the purpose of the techniques being used (for example, trigger points or myofascial release).  The goal of trauma informed care is to provide a session that is client-centered; meaning the client has access to information and techniques to utilize throughout the session for a relaxing and therapeutic experience.
5. What does it mean to undress to my level of comfort during a therapeutic massage? Some clients feel comfortable receiving therapeutic massage in a few pieces of clothing, some prefer to receive therapy over their clothing (no oil will be used, but rather heat, compression, and stretching), and others choose to completely disrobe.  Mary will respect your choice and adapt her practice and techniques to your needs.  The only part of a client's body exposed at any time is the area of the body receiving therapeutic work in the moment.  The most important thing is that the client feels safe and comfortable for the entire session.
6. How do I prepare for my appointment? Taking care of basic needs prior to your appointment is recommended (think: hydration, nourishment, and comfortable clothing to wear).  Using the restroom and arriving a few minutes before your appointment's start time is also helpful to ensure you receive your full session. 
7. What does aftercare following my session involve? Mary will provide you with resources and aftercare suggestions specific to your needs but generally, hydration and electrolytes are ideal following a massage.  For those receiving cranial sacral therapy, consider gentle activities and quiet environments if either are accessible to you.
8. What kind of payment is accepted? Cash, check, credit/debit cards (through Square), PayPal, and Venmo are all accepted.
9. What about tips/gratuity? Gratuity is appreciated, but not expected.  Your gratitude can be expressed in other valuable ways such as leaving a review on Google, MassageBook.com, or sharing your experience by word of mouth and on social media.  When someone you refer books an appointment, you get 10% your next session (with no limit to the number of referrals: e.g. refer two, get 20% etc.).
10. Does Mary accept insurance? Insurance is not yet accepted, but Mary will provide you with an invoice to send to your insurance company for a reimbursement.  Check your plan for specific reimbursement details as each provider and their plan policies vary.
11. How do I get in touch with Mary prior to my appointment if I have questions? You can reach Mary by email (iridescencehealingarts@gmail.com), phone or text (413-437-0898), and through messages on MassageBook.com.

*Mary's goal is to promote healing and access to its benefits to as many people as possible.  If you are experiencing financial or other kinds of hardship that impacts being able to pay the set fee, please reach out to Mary for the sliding scale option.

~Additional Resources (copy and paste links into your web browser)

*For information and research on the benefits of massage therapy and its impact on the mental/physical experience, please visit: 

https://www.amtamassage.org/resources/massage-and-health/mental-health/ 

and/or

https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/research-massage-for-pain/

*For more information and research on the benefits of manual lymph drainage, a basic overview of the lymphatic system, aftercare, and related resources, please visit:

https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/research-update-lymph-drainage/?_zs=tfmfQ1&_zl=xw787 *and* https://madisonlymphatics.com/therapy-options/mld-aftercare/