Karen moved to the Bay Area in the summer of 2007 with her family. Currently, she is enjoying a part time business of holistic health consulting for families, working on her PhD dissertation, and raising her daughter.

Karen's career has included massage therapy, education, and public health research as well as case management for mentally and physically disabled adults and children. She enjoys working with people who are interested in being healthy in all areas of their life (physical, emotional, spiritual, career, relationships).

Karen was inspired to learn more about massage therapy and children when she had her daughter. Both enjoy the bonding and relaxation that result from skilled and compassionate touch. Karen became certified in pediatric massage by Shay Beider while attending the integrative medical education program at the Institute for Health and Healing in San Francisco.

Karen provides massage therapy services to children and pregnant women at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (independent contractor) on Mondays. She is also working on a research project to examine changes in pain and anxiety in children after cardiac surgery.

Karen has been a nationally certified massage therapist since 1999 after she graduated from the Institute for Therapeutic Massage and Wellness in Davenport, Iowa. She also taught massage theory and research, trigger point therapy, aromatherapy, and reiki at this school until 2006.

Karen is also a volunteer for the Massage Therapy Foundation, a non-profit organization which advances the knowledge and practice of massage therapy through supporting scientific research, education, and community service. She has reviewed community service grants and worked with peers to summarize the literature on massage for stress. Karen became a member of the Board of Trustees in March 2009.

Karen has been a professional member of the AMTA since 2001. In Iowa, she was elected to serve as delegate to the national convention in 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2009, Karen gave two presentations at the AMTA National Convention in Orlando under the Research Track.

Karen lives in San Jose with her family. She enjoys traveling, reading mystery novels, decorating cakes, and tasting wine. Karen and her husband are members of a group who meet to share topics related to spiritual growth. They are also active members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Los Gatos.

Karen’s CURRICULUM VITAE (education, professional experience, training, publications, presentations, awards, professional affiliations) »