home|body massagetrauma-informed massage therapy in northampton, ma
hi, i’m el (they/them)
i’m a queer, nonbinary, chronically-ill massage therapist offering care that is intentional, accessible, and client-centered. i started doing this work after experiencing firsthand how difficult it was to find massage that felt safe and affirming and i am so grateful for the opportunity to provide that to you.
my work is rooted in disability justice, fat liberationist, anti-racist, and anti-capitalist frameworks. i am committed to building intersectional, anti-oppressive spaces that affirm all body types and genders, are queer, fat-positive, pro-Black, anti-ableist, and free of shame or judgement.
if traditional massage and bodywork spaces have felt inaccessible to you, my work is for you! i have extensive experience working with clients who experience chronic pain, chronic illness, anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, PTSD and C-PTSD, pain related to EDS or hypermobility, and more. i also have experience working with scar tissue and adhesions resulting from gender-affirming surgeries. if you have any questions about whether or not we would be a good fit to work together, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
given the ongoing nature of the covid-19 pandemic and it’s continued impact on our communities, i maintain covid mitigation practices in my work. this includes wearing a KN95 or N95 mask for every appointment and requiring the same of my clients.
when we wear high quality masks we are not only making spaces more accessible and keeping ourselves safe, we are helping to keep our communities, comrades, and loved ones safe as well.
what my clients say
“el is a natural healer. their massage work is as deeply intuitive as it is practical. in our sessions, i feel as if they listen with equal curiosity and skill to what my body says as what i am able to say with words. i am grateful for the healing space they hold & always leave feeling re-centered, cherished, and relieved of burden.”
— k.s.
“el’s presence is so warm and inviting - their massages always felt safe, curious to my body’s specific needs, and trauma informed. no two massages were the same, yet each massage left me feeling incredibly rested and free of tension. whether i was walking in with anxiety and needed to relax, or had a specific pain, el always worked with me to create the perfect plan for each session.”
— k.m.
“as an autistic person with sensory sensitivities and social anxiety, i’ve never felt comfortable receiving massage. working with el totally changed that! they made me feel comfortable enough to state my needs, and then they were really accomodating of them. i felt so seen and respected.”
— s.g.
“el is an exceptional massage therapist. in sessions with them, i always feel safe, warm, and free in whatever my body is experiencing. for me, their work rings with that perfect balance of skillful practice and easeful sensitivity. el brings a magnificent quality of touch and authentic listening, a session with them is always a true gift.”