I have over 40 years of clinical experience as a Registered Massage Therapist, and of teaching massage both to the public and in the professional training program for massage therapists at the Sutherland-Chan School and Teaching Clinic in Toronto as an in-class instructor and a clinical supervisor. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge of the power of touch.
After about 20 years in practice as an RMT, my interest in helping clients further explore and understand the feelings and emotions that arose while on the massage table grew to a level that I wanted to study more deeply. A friend introduced me to the Rubenfeld Synergy Method® and I graduated from the four-year professional training program as a Certified Rubenfeld Synergist in 2002. RSM uses sensitive touch and talk techniques to bring the client into an embodied state of being, integrating body, mind, emotions and spirit for deeper levels of self-knowledge, understanding and healing. While the work is gentle, it also is profound and effective.
My ability to be deeply present and compassionate, my life and work experiences, education, and communication skills are some of the qualities which support gentle, quick and direct access by clients to the wealth of self-knowing that is contained within each of us.
I have experience and additional training in the areas of trauma, grief and bereavement, mental illness and health, and palliative care.
“Linda is a knowledgeable, experienced and skilled professional who provides safe, well-boundaried, compassionate touch which can enhance the process of re-grounding in the body. This is very helpful for people dealing with depression and anxiety disorders, including PTSD.” – B.F.
“It’s hard to describe the impact of the loss of my sister this past year…The repeated impact of grief and shock was powerful on a somatic, emotional and energetic level…My weekly sessions with Linda have been a source of strength and hope. I truly can’t imagine how I would be at this point without the confident and quiet presence of someone who understood the painful place I found myself in. Linda made space for me to connect to how this grief was impacting me on all levels – and respectfully supported my process of ‘trying to make sense’ of my experience. I didn’t think it would be possible to do somatically focused grief work on Zoom – but it is – and I feel so grateful that a friend suggested I get some extra support when my dear sister was dying.”
One year later:
“Something has shifted and I no longer find myself stuck, overwhelmed and lost. Linda supported me by teaching me to listen to how my body was holding this grief. I could deeply and safely experience my loss and move at a pace that felt right to me. Two years of grief therapy may seem like a long time but I know I needed that. I never felt rushed or judged and knew that I was accepted in the place I was in.
Thanks Linda for holding this safe space for me.” – P.W.