Student Success

I knew back in high school that I wanted to be a massage therapist.

Anatomy and Kinesiology always fascinated me as well as the thought of being my own boss and creating my own work schedule.

However, I did not go to massage school after high school. It took me almost 10 years to realize that I needed to make a change and study something that I was really passionate about and could have a positive impact in people’s lives. That is when I decided I would jump and follow my dream of being a massage therapist..

Port Townsend School of Massage is the reason that I am a successful Massage therapist and business owner now. I had an interest in massage, but this program really helped me build a strong foundation in everything I had to learn in order to go out and help others. From Anatomy and Physiology to Ethics, I learned that this role covered way more than just massaging..

I loved every aspect of school and it built my confidence in order to go out and open my own private practice. I remember thanking my instructors for walking with us. It felt like we had the best support system in that building, ready to answer questions, explain things over and over again until we understood and even after graduation, still open to do that..

My career now is so much more than I could have imagined in my younger days. I am the owner of To Live Well Massage and Pilates Studio in Port Angeles, WA. Combining everything I learned at Port Townsend School of Massage and movement has brought me so much success and joy. I am finally able to have a career I truly enjoy, work with all types of people and help them feel better.

At first, I thought it was a near-death experience...

At first, I thought it was a near-death experience, tumbling hundreds of feet in an avalanche far out in the Alaska Range, that brought me to reconsider my career as a mountain guide. When I turned 27, someone told me that my change of heart added up and I was just going through my “Saturn return”. Once the global pandemic hit, I was a little confused about why I had chosen the service of physical touch when literally no one was touching anyone. But now, on the other side of my 15-month program at the Port Townsend School of Massage, I know it was never a single event or coincidence that brought me to where I am on my path.

With the help of my school community and all the challenges and evolutions of the process, today I announce that I am a Healer; officially an LMT! I am so proud to accept who I am, and what I am continuously becoming.

My healing touch is the embodiment of my heart’s song; intuitive, rhythmic, and encouraging of one’s own participation in the process. I have found my first platform working under another mountain woman for Bodywork Wellness Studio in the quaint Fairhaven district of Bellingham, WA. I look forward to supporting my community of outdoor-nature folks in feeling more alive and at ease in their homebodies.

I'm Very Grateful For My Experience

I chose PTSM for the passion the staff showed towards this career and towards the students.

Our situation was unique, I only had a specific time frame to complete a training program (Navy family). I knew I wanted to do something in healing but was particularly set on massage after getting a great massage from a PTSM graduate.

My favorite class was anatomy with Kay Darlington. Although some of the material can be challenging, Kay always helped us center and prepared us with realistic expectations. She's just a real inspiration at life.

I have had my own business, gone into treatment work, worked as an employee doing relaxation work and am pleased to now be part time with Kitsap Healing Space. Massage will always be a part of my personal and professional life and I'm very grateful for my experience with PTSM.

In 2016, I was in a bad accident.

I was a police officer and was struck by a DUI driver while I was outside my patrol car. I had various injuries throughout my body. Some of them had healed but I was left with limited range of motion in my neck. I saw a massage therapist for a year who did deep tissue and clinical treatment work. I now have approximately 90% range of motion back because of the work she did with me. Originally, I was going to go back into law enforcement because my drive to help people is strong. After seeing the help I could give someone through massage, which could be life changing, I decided to become a massage therapist. Even though I am still currently in school, I will graduate at the end of June 2022, I couldn’t be happier with my choice. I love the healing energy of massage, and how we can make such a difference in people’s lives. Even my practice clients look forward to my homework assignments!

I also truly appreciate Lizzz and the teachers at Port Townsend School of Massage! Everyone here, at the school, wants us to exceed and is here to support us! It is an amazing family, and I love being a part of it!

I am enjoying the education...

I am enjoying the education provided by Port Townsend School of Massage and am now half- way through the course work and practicums. My goal is to improve the non- pharmacologic options for my clients and to assure that they receive updated and effective massage therapy in addition to other care I am able to provide as an experienced nurse practitioner. I am learning a lot about massage and its effectiveness for different clinical conditions as well as for stress management and relaxation. I enjoy practicing massage skills with the other students and my own panel of practice clients and I really enjoy receiving massage now when I can. All the instructors here are experienced massage practitioners and they know how to teach so this is a good place to study and grow.

Yes to PTSM!

After retiring from the US Navy in 2012, I bounced around job to job, including college classes, for years not really sure of what I wanted to do or where my next career was going to be. Well by 2017 I figured it out and calling PTSM and getting the info about classes and courses involved with Massage, I made my decision.

“Massage Therapist” would be my next career path. Plus the fact of continuing helping others. The assistance, hands on and courses were well rounded and very instructive, especially with hands on. Lizzz definitely knows her Anatomy and Kinesiology. It’s more than classes, it’s like a second family! As a Veteran, they worked along with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, as well as other Veteran programs.

I did struggle some in certain areas but with the tutoring and total help from ALL the instructors and volunteers, gave me the will power and strength to see me succeed and graduate, June 2018! I have my own Mobile business now, plus working also with An Esthetician. I’ve learned much, and much more after graduating by working with Chiropractic and Medical issues as well. In June I will complete my Medical Massage Certification (MMP) through LMT Success Group.

I’m so happy to tell people I’m a graduate of Port Townsend School of Massage! What a truly amazing school and Awesome Family Institution!

I was pretty new to the role of massage in healthcare when I enrolled in PTSM.

My first experience with massage was a few years ago when I needed to seek out various forms of care to help me heal after a car collision. I’m a patient care professional working in healthcare for many years and became interested in learning massage when I personally experienced the enhanced healing, recovery, and wellness benefits of an integrated healthcare approach.

"We need folks who will let us try on new ways of being without judging us." - Brene Brown

This is what I experienced and received as a student at PTSM. There are some parts of massage therapy that are similar to my patient care experiences and some parts of massage therapy that are very different from the patient care I am used to. Beyond what I could have ever anticipated when I first enrolled, the staff and my classmates at PTSM encouraged and graciously supported my development while honoring my individuality. I was in the weekend program. I can honestly say that each class weekend was a more brilliant experience than the class weekend before. Connecting with fellow learners in a safe, supportive space guided by caring and helpful staff became a treasured experience that I miss since graduating. The personal and professional growth and development PTSM facilitated for me has changed my life. PTSM is a wonderful community that I’m extremely grateful to be part of.