Hello and welcome! I'm Kristyn.

 

My Background

I became licensed as a Massage Therapist in 2006. I have worked with clients in cancer treatment since my very first year in practice, and I formally studied oncology massage and became certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in 2022. I practiced on site in a hospital cancer center from 2022-2024 and love collaborating with healthcare teams.

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I am currently in training to become a Certified Hakomi Practitioner through the Hakomi Institute. This work uses a mindfulness-based approach to surface and resolve adaptive patterns held in the body. I have completed the year-long Level 1 training and will complete Level 2 in early 2027.

 

We might be a good fit if you are:

• Currently in cancer treatment or a cancer survivor

• Experiencing symptoms related to prior radiation or lymph node removal such as fibrosis, swelling, or chronic tension

• Currently a caregiver* for a loved one in cancer treatment or memory care

• Planning a surgery 

• Recovering from a surgery

• An athlete in training or in rehab for an injury

• A practitioner of yoga, pilates, dance, or another fitness routine

• Interested in or curious about mindfulness-based bodywork and somatic therapies**

• Someone who loves bodywork!​

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*Please reach out to me to learn more about caregiver discounts

**I am not a licensed or trained mental health professional

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Education​

I hold a BA in Biology from Columbia University and a BA in English from Portland State University. This combination of fields reflects my passion for the spaces where art and science become indistinguishable. The human body itself is one of the most stunning examples of this.

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I attended medical school for two fascinating years, from 2020-2022. I took a leave of absence to attend to some family health matters and did not complete my medical studies, but I have no regrets! Even without becoming a physician, the experience was well worth the time, energy and effort.

 

Thanks to that experience, I now enjoy a deep understanding of molecular biology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. I learned a great deal about the medical education process and the challenges physician trainees face. I also valued the opportunity to experience the healthcare system as a whole from that vantage point. My years of study and time working alongside physicians prepared me well to coordinate with my clients' healthcare teams, particularly during cancer treatment.

 

I studied massage therapy at East-West College of the Healing Arts in Portland, OR. I have continued my studies in Lomi Lomi, Thai Massage, and other therapeutic methods with excellent teachers all around the world throughout my years of practice.

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Other Ventures

I began studying system psychodynamics and practicing Group Relations work in 2022. This framework informs everything I do, as the principles that surface unconscious patterns in organizational systems also apply to the body and each person's individual system.

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As a consultant, I use somatic techniques and a system psychodynamics framework to help groups surface new knowledge. I think of this work as facilitated idea production, and the approach is equally valuable for solving sticky problems or revealing fresh creations.

 

I enjoy working with startups as much as established organizations across all industries. I also enjoy working 1:1 with leaders and have begun integrating mindfulness principles from Hakomi into this leadership development work. 

 

Please feel free to ask me more about this!