history of school l professional recognition l staff bios

Staff Bios

President: Carolyn Scott Naile, LMT, LMTI Carolyn began her career in Massage Therapy in 1987. Her background includes coordination of the Massage Department at the Crescent Spa and playing an instrumental role in the ground-breaking creation of the first ever Massage Program at a Dallas Hospital. Carolyn has held many offices in the American Massage Therapy Association and is a founding member of the Texas Coalition of School owners.

Director of Education: Kim Jackson, LMT, LMTI Kim is a graduate of HandsOn Therapy with over 100 hours of Advanced training in Massage therapy. Additionally, Kim has a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. Kim is a cutting edge Instructor and maintains a cutting edge curriculum and staff.

Staff Instructors

Tyree Beaton, LMT, LMTI graduated from the advanced program of the Asten Center of Natural Therapeutics in 1988.  She has completed more than 2000 hours of continuing education in massage and complimentary health related fields including: Sports Massage, Healing Sciences, Full Body Manual Lymph Drainage, Myofascial Release, Equine Massage; Russian Massage; Pregnancy and Delivery Support Massage; Advanced Energy Healing; and many more. Addtionally, Tyree participated in extensive Gross Human Anatomy Dissection and Prosection work at Parker College of Chiropractic.

Michael Critz, LMT, LMTI  Developer of the Critz Technique, Michael has been a massage therapist since 1992. Most of his career has been spent working in the rehabilitative field, mainly in pain management. He works closely with chiropractic professionals and medical professionals including orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists, licensed professional counselors and psychologists.  Michael also works in the athletic arena, particularly with martial arts professionals. His experience using rehabilitative therapies on these athletes has taught him to be proficient in addressing a variety of acute injuries.

Greg May, LMT, LMTI Greg is a graduate of HandsOn Therapy and holds an MTI license. He has practiced Massage therapy since 1993 and has experience in a variety of Advanced Therapies. Greg trained in Chiropractics at Parker College of Chiropractic. Greg teaches both Basic and Advanced courses.

Tina Rizzo, LMT, LMTI   Tina is a 2002 graduate of Hands On Therapy, she received her instructor license in 2005 and has been teaching on our staff since that time.  She has over 10 years experience in the hair and skincare industry and has numerous hours of advanced training in massage.

George Sprague, LMT, LMTI  George is a 1994 graduate of hands On Therapy and has been teaching for most of that time.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Puerto Rico.  He served as a Captain in the US Army.  He is our senior bi-lingual instructor and is qualified to teach in all areas of Basic instruction.  He is our primary Chair Massage Instructor.

Robert Villarreal, LMT, LMTI   A 2005 graduate of Hands On Therapy, Robert has three years experience working in the massage industry.  He has since continued his education in such areas as deep tissue, trigger point and headache techniques.  Robert has worked in The Spa at HandsOn Therapy, as well as in athletic clubs in the DFW metroplex.

Wendy Walls LMT, LMTI is a 2001 graduate of HandsOn Therapy 500 hour program and received her MTI in 2003. Wendy has dedicated herself to improvement of the massage therapy field. She brings to our faculty 13 years experience in patient care within Hospital and Chiropractic settings. She is qualified to teach all classes in the Basic Program and teaches Continuing Education classes in Pregnancy Massage.

Visiting Instructors

Brenda Brisco, LMT, CNHP Brenda Briscoe is a Licensed Massage Therapist with eleven years of experience and an additional certification in Clinical Massage Therapy.  As business owner and practitioner at In-Joy Nutrition & Bodyworks, she does therapeutic massage, including the Bowen Technique and Neuro-Structural Integration Technique, which work toward permanent resolution of pain syndromes.  Originated by Tom Bowen of Australia about five decades ago, this work is now becoming more recognized in the U.S.  It is known for its phenomenal results with very little effort required by the practitioner.  Brenda is one of a very few therapists in the DFW metroplex area who are accomplished in this modality.

John Kelley, LMT, LMTI  John Kelley began working as a professional massage therapist in 1985 and has been a member of The American Massage Therapy Association and is currently serving as its State Chapter President. He has also been a member of the AMTA National Sports Massage Team since 1986 as well as being Nationally Certified in Massage and Bodywork by NCBTMB since 1993.  John has provided sports massage to world class athletes at the Pan Am Games, the Goodwill Games, the Olympics (Calgary)  and Olympic Trials and worked for the Dallas Cowboys for ten years. John has been teaching the Pilates method of physical conditioning since 1996 at Foxcreek Myotherapy, Inc. in Richardson and the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas and McKinney.  Most recently, John has Certified in KMI Structural Integration and is a Nationally Certified Structural Integration Therapist.

Kathryn McKillip Thrift, LMTI, NCMTB, LMT Kathryn has been a Certified Therapist of the Dr. Vodder Method of Manual Lymph Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapist since 1987. She has received her certification as a Basic and Therapy I Instructor for MLD. Kathryn has a B.S. degree from Central Missouri State University and is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Bodyworker. She currently maintains a private practice in Dallas and is the clinical consultant of the Lymphedema Program at Medical City Dallas Hospital.

Rick Robinette, LMT, LMTI  Embodying a versatile and extensive background, Rick Robinette has been teaching and practicing massage therapy in Dallas, Texas, for well over 20 years. In 1985, Rick completed his foundational studies in basic massage fundamentals at the Asten Center of Natural Therapeutics in Richardson, Texas. Since that time, he has received more than 1,200 hours of advanced training in therapeutic massage techniques, anatomy, soft-tissue pathophysiology, and other aspects of holistic health.  Starting in 1986, Rick has been instructing a full spectrum of courses including massage therapy approaches, human anatomy and kinesiology, soft-tissue injuries and conditions, and other topics. Using an instructional style that is structured, yet informal, Rick Robinette enjoys sharing massage knowledge at all levels, and is a strong believer in the value of continuing education for professional health care providers.

Carol Young, LMT, LMTI  Carol Young has been a massage therapist for 20 years.  She has been teaching at HandsOn Therapy since 2002. In addition to Swedish massage, she has studied Polarity, Shiatzu, Reiki and Upledger Cranial Sacral technique. Carol has a special interest in chronic pain conditions, and offers 4 pain related CE classes at our school; Massage & Chronic Pain, Neck & Shoulder Pain, Low Back Pain, and Fibromyalgia.