Cortiva Institute

Susan Coffey, LMT

Susan graduated from The Muscular Therapy Institute in 2003. Immediately after graduation, Susan left the mental health field and began work as a subcontractor in the spa setting. Her massage work focuses on therapeutic massage and energy work. She has received additional training in Reiki and Ayurvedic Massage. It was, however, her deep passion for excellence in the field of massage that led her to teaching at Cortiva Institute - Boston massage school. She joined the faculty in 2006 and teaches Physiology, Pathology, Clinic and Massage Techniques.

Martha Cooke

Martha teaches Professional Ethics and Communication and is a Class Advisor. She joined the faculty in 1999. Outside of Cortiva Institute, she is the Director of Project Safe, an education and advocacy program for perpetrators and victims of violence. She has also developed expressive therapy and pet therapy programs for the mentally ill population, and is an animal lover who commits one day a month to helping pets. Martha received her BA in Art History from the Massachusetts College of Art and her MEd from Salem State College.

Saskia Cote, LMT

Saskia teaches Clinic Foundations, Business Practices, as well as several hands-on massage courses. After studying Craniosacral in Europe, Saskia knew her calling was in the Holistic Health field. She continued her education by attending massage therapy school in Santa Fe, NM. Since graduating in 1992, she has been practicing bodywork and teaching. Over the years her work has evolved to include a variety of modalities such as Craniosacral, Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Ortho-Bionomy, Sports and Deep Tissue massage. Saskia loves to share her diverse knowledge and experience through teaching at Cortiva Institute - Boston. Continuing her own personal and professional development, she will graduate in April 2008 as a Doctor of CORE Education.

Jeff Forrest, LMT

Jeff recently joined the staff at Cortiva (2009) and teaches Neuromuscular/Sports Massage and Techniques & Assessment in the core program and has been teaching in the Continuing Education Department since 2007.

A 1989 graduate of Bancroft School of Massage, Jeff received his Sports Massage Therapist certification in 1990 from AMTA National. He started teaching at BSMT upon graduation. He taught Massage Techniques, Sports Massage, Clinical Massage Applications, and CPR and supervised the student clinic. After leaving Bancroft Jeff went to Mount Wachusette Community College where he developed and taught the massage therapy courses for the Complimentary Healthcare Degree Program. Jeff has always been interested in Deep Tissue Techniques for the rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries. He has been in private practice since 1989 and has volunteered many years for the MA-Chapter AMTA and is the Boston Marathon Massage Team Coordinator since 1996.

Cynthia A. Gillan, LMT

Cindy teaches Foundations of Massage, Neuromuscular and Sports Massage and Clinic Foundations. A 1993 Muscular Therapy Institute graduate, she joined the faculty in 1997. Cindy has a private practice working with athletes, elders in a retirement community setting, and the general population. She is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, serves as a member of the NCBTMB exam committee, and is an AMTA member. She has taken coursework in the Benjamin Advanced Training and St. John's NMT. Cindy belongs to a running club and participates in the Pan Mass Challenge and a few triathlons each summer. Bikram yoga helps her to balance it all. She received her BS in Health Services Administration from Providence College and her MA in Health Care Administration from Framingham State College.

Kathy Hood, LMT

Kathy teaches Foundations of Massage. A 1990 Muscular Therapy Institute graduate, she joined the faculty in 1991. She spent six years in private practice as a massage therapist. Kathy has pursued a deep understanding of the mind body connection, studying extensively with Dawna Markova, a leader in the field of perceptual processing. Her interest in the mind, body and spirit interconnectedness led her to study and teach meditation techniques internationally from 1997 through 2000. Most recently she participated as an intern at the UMass Medical School Center for Mindfulness and continues to study mindfulness-based stress reduction. She practices massage as an independent contractor. She specializes in corporate on-site massage, stress reduction and relaxation and corporate on-site chair massage. Kathy received her BA in Liberal Arts from Upsala College in New Jersey and her MLS from Catholic University in Washington, DC.

Kerry Jordan, LMT

Kerry completed her massage training at the Palmer Institute of Massage and Bodywork in 2005. She joined the faculty in 2010. In her private practice Kerry's distinctive massage style blends techniques from Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and Shiatsu. She specializes in injury management and Prenatal massage. She is a member of ABMP and is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. In addition to practicing massage, Kerry is a yoga instructor at Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio. She holds 200 & 500-hour RYT certifications and a BA from Rutgers University.

Tom Karis, LMT

Tom teaches Anatomy and Kinesiology, Physiololgy and Pathologies, and several hands-on massage courses. Tom Karis has worked in the massage therapy profession, both as a practicing therapist and as an instructor since 1996. He applies a unique blend of myofascial release, trigger point therapy, orthopedic massage and myoskeletal alignment techniques in his own work with clients. From 2001 - 2007, Tom was owner and director, as well as an instructor, at the Massachusetts Institute of Therapuetic Massage. In addition to developing and teaching the massage therapy curriculum, he has developed a 100-hour NCBTMB approved CE course in structural bodywork.

Mitzie Ladd, LMT

Mitzie teaches Physiology and Pathology. Training in Canada at the D'Arcy Lane Institute of Massage Therapy, Mitzie has worked both as a practicing Massage Therapist and instructor since 2007. In private practice, Mitzie specializes in medical and treatment-based massage using a variety of modalities including: fascial release, trigger point therapy, orthopedic massage, deep tissue, hydrotherapy, neurological and visceral manipulations, as well as energy work. Mitzie is excited to share her fascination with the body and how it works with her students at Cortiva Institute - Boston. A perpetual student, Mitzie looks forward to completing her Master of Science in Complimentary and Alternative Medicine.

Sue Mapel, LICSW

Sue is the Director of Student Services. She has been on the faculty of Cortiva Institute - Boston since 1993 teaching Skills and Dynamics of Therapeutic Relationships. Sue is a clinical social worker and also has a strong connection with the field of massage therapy. She has completed Massage Therapy Basics, second degree Reiki , and is a certified Infant Massage Instructor. In addition to her work at Cortiva Institute, Sue has a practice as a child and family therapist, and also pursues her love of Balkan singing, dance and music. Sue received her BA in English and French from Bucknell University and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College

Janice Pearson, LMT

Janice teaches Foundations of Massage, Neuromuscular and Sports Massage, and Student Clinic. A 1998 Muscular Therapy Institute graduate, she joined the faculty in 2001. She has a private practice at the Tennis & Racquet Club in Boston's Back Bay, and also sees clients on a home visit basis in Newton, MA. Janice works with a lot of athletes, but also enjoys providing massage to pregnant clients and new mothers. She teaches infant massage and recently discovered the rich reward of increasing quality of life for ALS clients and those with end-stage cancer. She is a member of the AMTA. A former competitive figure skater and swimmer, Janice continues to enjoy those and other activities in her spare time, including a new love of the game of squash. Janice received her BS in Business Administration from Northeastern University.

Todd Rivers, LMT

Todd teaches Foundations of Massage and Myofascial Techniques and Assessments. A 2001 graduate of Muscular Therapy Institute, he joined the faculty in 2004. He is nationally certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and is a member of the AMTA. Todd has spent many years in the spa and alternative healthcare industry, and has had additional training in Myofascial Release Technique, Reiki, Healing Touch and the Benjamin Advanced Training. Todd has a deep desire to share his knowledge and experience with others.

Cindy L. Rush, LCMT

Cindy Rush is a licensed and nationally certified massage therapist who has been in practice since 1995 and is the owner of Massage for Health. Cindy is a 1991 graduate of the University of MA - Boston with a BA in Psychology, and a 1995 graduate of Muscular Therapy Institute. Cindy is an instructor of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology. In her practice, Cindy has experience in a variety of massage therapy modalities including: Swedish, Hot/Cold Stone Massage, Sports Massage, Myofascial Release Technique, and Prenatal Therapy. Cindy is most proficient in deep tissue massage as it pertains to individuals with injury or chronic pain.

In early 2006 Cindy became fully certified in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar TherapyTM. In addition to her massage therapy practice, Cindy is a volunteer on the Massage Emergency Response Team where she worked with rescuers and responders at the World Trade Center after 9/11. Cindy also served as Chair of the MA Chapter AMTA 's Law and Legislation Committee from 2001 through 2004, where she was instrumental in advancing legislation for the state licensing of massage therapists. Currently, Cindy serves on the National AMTA 's Government Relations Operations Committee.

Lisa Santoro, LMT

Lisa teaches Foundations of Massage and Student Clinic. A 1995 Muscular Therapy Institute graduate, she joined the faculty in 2000. She is a member of the AMTA and the International Association of Infant Massage. Lisa has studied the Benjamin Advanced Training, fascial work, Shiatsu, pre- and post-natal massage, infant massage instruction, and Reiki. She is the founder of the massage program at Harvard University's Health Services. Her work is focused on injury prevention and the energetic components of wellness. Lisa has developed a "hands-free" method of chair massage that is taught through continuing education at Cortiva Institute and with the AMTA. In her infrequent spare time, Lisa is a knitter and beaded jewelry artist. Lisa is also the proud mother of two boys who are learning good listening skills.

Margaret Upton, LMT

Margaret teaches Special Populations and Massage Foundations. She graduated from the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy in 1997. Margaret is licensed in Swedish Massage and Shiatsu, and has trained in Deep Tissue Massage and Craniosacral Therapy. She has traveled around the country working in her private practice, with a concentration of business in New York, Connecticut and Martha's Vineyard.

Ralph Whitehouse, LMT

Ralph joined the Cortiva team in February 2007. He is an instructor for Foundations of Massage, and Neuromuscular Technique and Sports Massage.

It was the rigors of hard training for marathons and triathlons that led him to utilize sports massage as part of his training to help facilitate recovery and prevent injuries from developing. Volunteering and being inspired in 1990 and 1991 at the Boston Marathon with the sports massage team is when he decided to go to Bancroft School of Massage Therapy. After completing his sports massage training in April 1992 he returned to the Boston Marathon as a sports massage therapist and has continued to volunteer annually. He now massages a variety of athletes including wheel-chair participants, elite and Boston Athletic Association invited runners. Ralph believes being an avid athlete gives him insight into the psyche of the athlete.

His focus to get to the cause of soft tissue pain has led him to become certified in Orthopedic Massage through the Orthopedic Massage Education and Research Institute.

He lives in Plymouth and practices massage at Therapeutic Muscle Studio 1 and is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association.