About Us
The Retreat team is a diverse group of talented professionals who are passionate about working in a friendly space where everyone is welcome. Our providers are experienced, skilled and dedicated to their clients. We offer services customized for you on the day of your session. This allows us the opportunity to provide you great results, to the highest standard, at every single visit. We believe your appointment should be something to look forward to, and that clients of every shape, shade, age and background feel welcome, wanted and cared-for by The Retreat team. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Our Team
APRIL
MASSAGE THERAPIST
April’s passion for massage therapy began early in her life with a desire to help family members and friends who were hurting. She has been a licensed therapist since 2015. April enjoys connecting with her clients on a real level and discovering how she can help them achieve a better quality of life. She specializes in Swedish, Trigger Point, Sports Massage, and Prenatal. Embracing a holistic approach to self care, her twelve years of strength and endurance training and lifestyle nutrition add depth to her ability to serve the whole person.
AUGUST
LEAD MASSAGE THERAPIST
August is a graduate of Miller Motte College and has been a licensed massage therapist since 2006.
He is a soft tissue specialist and works at a slow smooth pace, rarely breaking contact and emphasizing the unity of flow from one technique or area of the body to another. He specializes in Therapeutic, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Myofascial Release, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Oncology and Prenatal massage techniques. August’s focus is on helping his clients reduce pain, increase range of motion and recover from injury.
CYNTHIA
ESTHETICIAN
Cynthia was working at a spa in Wilmington when she became fascinated by, and fell in love with, esthetics and skin health. After graduating from Miller Motte College, Cynthia moved back to the Durham area where she has built her practice working closely with clients to enhance their own natural beauty. Cynthia enjoys long term relationships with her clients – so she can help to maintain their changing skin care goals. Cynthia is a Dermalogica specialist, is certified in Hydrafacial™, Glo2Facial, Microneedling, Dermaplane Pro, chemical peels, customized facials, and waxing. A true artist, Cynthia especially loves brow shaping, tinting, and lash lifts.
JACE
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Jace describes her style as empathic, lighter pressure massage that allows the system to reach out and ask for assistance and direct the therapy – she calls it Muscle Dialogue. She has been a licensed massage therapist since 2007, and pursues continuing education in a variety of areas. Jace is trained in Reiki (Levels I and II), Oncology Massage, Fibromyalgia and Compassionate Touch techniques. Additionally, Jace has education as a Doula, providing more insight to offer prenatal clients. She specializes in Relaxation, Therapeutic, Prenatal, Lymphatic Drainage, and Cranial-Sacral Therapy. Jace’s experience and approach to massage brings a unique dimension to The Retreat team.
JEREMY
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Originally from Boston, Jeremy has been in North Carolina for over 20 years. He was a student athlete and is still an avid runner. Jeremy’s involvement in sports and wellness spurred his desire to pursue a career in massage therapy over 10 years ago. Jeremy’s certifications include Deep Tissue, Thai, Swedish and other modalities which lends to his very adaptable style. Jeremy successfully works with many athletes and weekend warriors, but with his laid back sense of humor and friendly nature, he makes everyone feel comfortable in the treatment room.
KATE
ESTHETICIAN
A Durham native, Kate detoured to New Orleans for a few years, but returned home to pursue her esthetics career. Kate graduated from Elevate Salon Institute and is certified in microdermabrasion, peels, dermaplaning, microneedling, Hydrafacial,Glo2Facial, lash lifting/tinting as well as face and body waxing. A determined student, Kate is a certified Dermalogica Specialist and is a sponge for post graduate education. She knows how important it is to feel beautiful in your skin, so Kate’s focus is giving each client a customized treatment to fit their individual skin care goals. Clients appreciate Kate’s attention to detail, and her measured, gentle approach.
KENZIE
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Kenzie graduated from The Bodhi Tree Center for Healing Arts in Nevada in 2015. While at school she studied an array of massage modalities and grew her passion for all things related to health and wellness. Kenzie’s dynamic therapeutic approach to bodywork integrates all physical, mental and spiritual work. From traditional Deep Tissue, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fascial Freedom Therapy, Ashiatsu, Joint Health and Mobility, Kenzie blends multiple modalities based on her clients’ needs. She loves to work closely and consistently with her clients over time to observe change and the healing process.
LAUREN
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Lauren pursued her license in massage therapy in 2015 when she saw how it significantly improved the healing process for a close family member. As an avid reader and talented artist, Lauren is a keen observer who carefully listens to clients’ needs. She specializes in Medium Pressure Relaxation Massage, Myofascial Release and is keen to provide clients with alignment-based exercises that can help them address issues outside of their in-studio massage session
LB
MASSAGE THERAPIST
After many years working in gyms, LB decided to broaden his knowledge of how the body works and became a licensed massage therapist in 2011. He worked Ironman and Marathon events for over 6 years deciding he wanted to focus his massage practice on athletes and better mobility. LB’s style is one of a firmer pressure with assisted stretching. He is certified in Deep Tissue, Sports, Therapeutic, Cupping and Swedish massage. He enjoys helping his clients meet their goals whether they are training/performance oriented, injury recovery, or more general therapeutic.
MCKENZIE
LEAD ESTHETICIAN
McKenzie received her esthetics training from Aveda and has practiced for more than 13 years – she is also a medical esthetician with a long list of certifications under her belt. McKenzie excels at customized facials, and specializes in Hydrafacial™, Glo2Facial, Dermaplaning, Microneedling and peels. With your skin goals in-mind, McKenzie will confidently create and keep you on a path to great skin. In addition to her amazing relaxing facial touch, McKenzie enjoys waxing, and is absolutely meticulous about it. No matter the treatment, your skin will look and feel fantastic after time in McKenzie’s experienced hands.
MELINA
ESTHETICIAN
Melina moved to Durham from Columbus, Ohio and is loving life in the Bull City. She is a graduate from Mason Anthony School of Esthetics. She also holds a degree in early childhood education but it was her passion for promoting health and wellness that took her from the class room to the treatment room. Melina believes that personal well-being is from the inside out and is a true reflection of self care. Her goal is to inspire individuals to prioritize their health, embrace their natural beauty and maintain holistic wellness. Driven to share her knowledge and practices, she empowers others to look and feel their best.
PAULA
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Paula chose to become a massage therapist because of the powerful effects of massage she experienced as a client. She graduated from Body Therapy Institute in Siler City, NC, in 2015. Paula’s approach combines Swedish massage, Myofascial Release, passive stretching and mindfulness to help create a safe space for clients to listen to their bodies and embrace their capacity for self-healing.
RICH
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Rich has been a licensed massage therapist since 2009, and enjoys providing result-based, client-centered massage therapy. His style is to integrate a variety of modalities to achieve each client’s desired outcome. Rich’s specialities include Therapeutic, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Warm Stone, Reflexology and Sports. He believes that therapeutic bodywork contributes to a healthier and happier community. Rich feels strongly about the positive impact of massage, and volunteers his time to provide bodywork for workers on health and academic campuses.
SALLY
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Sally recently relocated to North Carolina from Illinois where she was trained at the Soma Institute of Clinical Massage Therapy in Chicago. From her background as a paramedic and a teacher, she believes massage is a very effective means to manage stress and pain, and as an important component of self-care. Sally’s style is a blend of relaxing Swedish massage and focused Therapeutic work to help her clients live a more relaxed and pain free life. Additionally, Sally is certified and very adept at Warm Stone massage, and has a faithful following for her Prenatal work.
SHANNA
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Shanna has been a licensed massage therapist since 2014 and practices Swedish, Prenatal, Reflexology, Trigger Point, Cranial Sacral, Therapeutic, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage. She has a slow and purposeful flow to her work, allowing the muscles to naturally respond to touch and allowing optimal relaxation while providing meaningful therapeutic work. Shanna gets great joy from making someone’s day whether it be through pain relief, stress relief or just a change in her client’s mood. She considers herself very fortunate to be working in a field she loves. Shanna always looks forward to continuing her education and learning about different techniques and modalities.
