About A healing haven

I first encountered massage when I was 14 years old when I was given the gift of a massage from my grandmother. The massage I received left such a wonderful impression on me that I thought everyone should have one. I was given my first book on massage and a bottle of oil as a gift the following year. I immediately began giving massages to friends and family and by the end of high school I knew that I wanted to be a massage therapist.

In 2002 I graduated from the Minneapolis School of Massage and Bodywork Inc., where I received over 600 hours of education. I opened A happy haven Massage Therapy in 2003 to try out the grand adventure of owning my own business. Over the years I have learned a lot about running a business and about massage. The business name changed to A healing haven in 2011 to meet the increasing needs of clients. At that time I also began training in John Barnes Myofascial Release, I am currently a master-level practitioner having taken Myofascial Release 1, 2 & 3, Unwinding, Rebounding, Cervical Thoracic, Fascial Pelvis, Advanced Unwinding, Fascial Mobilization, Fascial Cranium, Skill Enhancement Seminar, and Therapy for the Therapist.

I graduated from Minneapolis Community Technical College in 2012 with an Associate of Science degree in Traditional Western Herbalism. I use this knowledge to make herbal first aid salves and to help people make holistic health changes.

In 2013, I went through birth doula training. This training covered how to be a good support person for the family I am working for. I aid families in creating birth plans, postpartum plans, and am on call for the family from the time of hire until the baby is born, offering support during the birth process. After the baby is born, I can help with lactation and get the family settled into their new life.

I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies. My areas of emphasis were Health and Wellness, Communication, and Psychology. I also started training in Somatic Experiencing and Adult Attachment Theory, that year. I am currently an intermediate level Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). I have also had continuing education in grant writing based strategic planning. 

When I was in high school my psychology teacher told me that I should go into psychology. I responded that I couldn’t help other people with their “stuff” until I had dealt with my own. Over the course of my 40+ years on this planet I have been diagnosed with Panic Attacks, General Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. I spent years working to overcome various learning disorders. I also lived and cared for both my autistic sibling and my grandmother who had cancer and Parkinson’s disease. I’ve done a lot of personal therapy which I have paired with my love of learning different therapy styles that might help me and others. This journey has led me to learning and experience in the areas of codependency, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness Based Compassion and Acceptance, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Gottman Method, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

In 2023 I began studying at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota where I am currently enrolled in the Professional Counseling and Psychological Services graduate program. 

I’m at a place in my life where I finally feel like I have dealt with my “stuff”. I look forward to using my education and experiences to help you with your “stuff” so that you can live life with ease.

I live with my spouse, Jason, and two children Alyssandra and Aneira in North Minneapolis. I love to bike, walk, cook, read, dance, play games and get together with friends.