Tara R. Thrasher | Licensed Massage Therapist | MA#0030014 | MM#9764
My Credentials
General Education
Class of 1996 Graduate of Tate High School
6 credits from an Associate Degree at Pensacola Junior College (*Sigh* almost finished)
Massage Therapy Education
Nationally Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork - Licensed
Massage Therapist Ma#30014
Scored 97% on National Boards Certifying Test to become a Licensed Massage
Therapist the First Time taking the Test!!
My love and appreciation for my superior education at Florida’s Therapeutic Massage School cannot be adequately stated. Attending this school
truly changed the course of my life in the most positive and life affirming way
possible. It is truly the foundation in which I draw all the strength and drive
for my journey as a massage therapist and healer. It is through the guidance
and support of the outstanding teachers and mentors at this school that I
learned to love and accept myself fully for the beautiful Spirit that I am.
They opened doors, turned on lights and sparked fires of interest in my mind
that will sustain me throughout my journey in this lifetime. I will always
remember with deep fondness my beginnings and the root that nurtured such a
wonderful growth of abundance, joy and personal vision and prosperity for my
life. It is with tender gratitude that I thank everyone that has been and will
be my teacher in my journey. Thanks Geraldine for giving me the Million Dollar
Training!!
September 1999- Graduate of Florida’s Therapeutic Massage School, Pensacola Florida
600 hours of training—50 hours of Direct Independent Study Project—650 hours total
Courses of study include: Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology, Human Biology, Oriental Medicine, Energetic Healing
Theory & Practice,
Massage Modalities: Swedish, Deep Tissue Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point
Therapy, Postural Alignment and Assessment, Connective Tissue and Myofacial
Release, Lymphatic drainage, Sports Massage, Chair Massage, Intro to
Reflexology, Prenatal Massage, Acupressure & Shiatsu Oriental Therapy, Thai-Chi, The Tragger Approach, hydrotherapy,
Hot/Cold Therapy, Spa Therapy, Essential Oils, Herbs, Aromatherapy,
Identifying Contagious Diseases, Chronic Illness & Pain, Muscular Injuries, Muscular Dysfunctions, Skeletal Misalignments
Communication in Ethics, Professionalism, Scope of Practice, Active Listening,
Verbal & Non-verbal communication, Massage Etiquette, Identifying abuse & abusive situations, providing information about community resources and
support,
HIV/AIDS Training & Certification, CPR Trained and Certified
Holistic Healing, Practices & Education: Meditation, Relaxation and Stress Coping Techniques, Music Therapy,
Touch Therapy, Aromatherapy, Energy Healing, Introduction to Reiki, Chakra
Balancing, and Nutritional Education
Community Outreach: Onsite therapeutic & chair massage to Elderly Community Homes, Baptist Hospital Dialysis Unit,
Lakeview Center Patients, Sporting Events, Festivals, and Offices for Employee
Appreciation, etc.
Business Skills: Networking, Advertising, Marketing, and Operating
Independently, Insurance Reimbursement
(We definitely learned a whole lot more than that, but it’s been 9 years so I cannot remember all of it in detail)
Direct Independent Study Project—50 Hours
I chose to work with 25 leading massage therapists in the Pensacola, Gulf
Breeze, and Navarre community. My project was to trade massage with each of
these different therapists, each who specialize in different massage
modalities. My goals were to experience first hand their superior massage
ability and learn their techniques. Also to observe how they operate their
business, design their room, their appearance, level of professionalism, their
overall demeanor, their overall energy and ‘vibe’, etc. In trade, as a student, I would provide them with massage. They in turn
would critique my work and offer any and all advise to ensure my success as a
massage therapist. This experience was truly the turning point for me in
defining me from my fellow students. The added skill and experience I gained
from working with these exceptional massage therapists put me at a higher level
of training when I graduated. I had confidence and knowledge that other
beginner massage therapists did not possess. Many of the therapists I worked
with remarked that I did not possess the “Touch of a Student”, meaning that I have a natural intuitive ability and confidence in my touch
that many students do not have.
Additional Community Outreach Project
I also chose as a community outreach project to work with the media of TK 101 “The Rock Station” in a Live On Air massage/interview with the lead singer of Echano Line Crush.
Mark “the shark”, head DJ at TK 101 requested that I give his guest a massage during a live
interview. It was a fun experience and a great opportunity to get free
advertising for the massage community and the school. Plus I got free tickets
to the Bushwhacker festival and got to do an interview on the air with Mark.
Specialized Training & Continuing Education Workshops
Continuing Education
I have attended countless workshops and continuing education seminars throughout
my 9-year career. I will note the one’s that I consider my specialized training and expertise.
40 Hours Pregnancy Massage & Infant Massage “Nurturing the Mother” with Claire Miller- Chapel Hill, NC
200+ hours of Childbirth Education Facilitator Training FOCEP Certified Childbirth Educator
I.C.E.A (International Childbirth Education Association) Certified Doula—Childbirth Labor Support
72 Hours Thai Yoga Bodywork with Michael Buck of the Vedic Conservatory—Del Ray Beach, FL
Young Living Essential Oils—Laurie Azzarella, IIR Certified Reflexologist, Seminar Director and Young Living
Oils Educator
Over 1+ years of mentoring and personal tutelage on homeopathic/medicinal uses
of Young Living 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils, Nutritional
Supplements and Personal Care Products
Attended 2008 Young Living Convention in Salt Lake City Utah
Hot River Stone Massage—Self Trained and successfully practicing for over 8 years—my signature massage
Workshops & Continuing Education
Neuromuscular Therapy for Injuries & Chronic Pain: Shoulder Strain/sprain, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Sciatica,
Whiplash Injuries, Lumbar strain/sprain, Chronic Lower back pain, Herniated
disks, plantar fasciaitis, illiotibial band pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ
syndrome, cervical compression, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, sports
related injuries, auto accident injuries, etc.
Spa Treatments—Steve Cappellini, Nations Leading Spa Consultant and Biotone Facilitator—full body exfoliation, salt glow�s, body polish, therapeutic mud wraps,
cellulite treatment, herbal detoxify wrap treatments, wet/dry room treatments,
spa etiquette, and spa marketing
Relaxation Massage & Stress Management
Polarity Therapy
Ethics, HIV/AIDS, CPR, Infant CPR, Practice Management, Operating a Wellness
Center
Business Management, Business Marketing, Business Networking, Business
Accounting
Birthing From Within with Pam England, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Massage Work History & Work as an Educator
1+ yrs—Mark Lee’s Skincare; Pensacola, FL
1+ yrs—Farrell and Associates—Private Massage Therapy Practice—Pensacola, FL
2+ yrs—Baptist Hospital, Child Birth Education Lamaze Instructor
1+ yr—Pensacola Therapeutic Massage, Pensacola, FL
7 yrs—Studio Twenty-8 Midtown Upscale Salon & Day Spa, Pensacola, FL
Summer of 2007—Style Bar Spa, Sag Harbor New York—The Hampton’s
April 2008 thru Present—12th Avenue Massage Therapy Group, Pensacola, FL
July thru September 2008—Style Bar Spa, Sag Harbor, New York—The Hampton’s
I have also worked privately with prospective parents teaching one-on-one
childbirth preparation. I worked for about 5 years as a Doula, childbirth labor
support companion. I have been blessed and privileged to assist and witness
over 30 babies be born into the world. It is truly an amazing experience to
assist a woman during the birthing process and witness her miracle. To be an
active participant is something that I had always dreamed of doing since I was
a child of about 10 years old. Becoming a massage therapist was the gateway to
realizing and fulfilling that dream.
