People
Students & Alumni
ABOUT OUR STUDENT BODY
Body Therapy Institute attracts dedicated students from a diverse range of personal and professional backgrounds, including: nurses, psychologists, carpenters, teachers, military veterans, stay-at-home moms, medical doctors, salespeople, computer programmers, house cleaners, office workers, lab technicians, coffee baristas, engineers, artists ...
Our students range in age from 18 to 65, with an average in the mid-30’s, There is generally a 4:1 ratio of women to men, and the average academic level is a bachelor’s degree. In the world of adult education, it is rare to have a student with a G.E.D. working next to someone with a Ph.D., or to find someone with 25 years of corporate experience studying massage therapy alongside a fellow student who is preparing for their first venture into the job market.
In the presence of these differences, we have found that every student comes to this process with their unique strengths and gifts, as well as their own "growing edge". This is what makes the our whole-person learning experience so enjoyable and rewarding. Each class at BTI has its own character and spirit. Many students find that the support and camaraderie they share during their training continues on in deep and lasting friendships after graduation.
WE SUPPORT OUR ALUMNI on their PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
We take an active interest in supporting the career development of our graduates, as they work towards achieving their goals and dreams. The school maintains a searchable database of available job placement opportunities, treatment spaces for rent, volunteer opportunities in the community and more. BTI also makes massage therapy referrals to our graduates, when we are contacted by members of the general public and fellow health care professionals who are in search of a good massage therapist.
The ALUMNI RESOURCES section of this website also features an online Forum that allows our community of graduates and students to stay in touch with each other. This bulletin board allows alumni to share ideas and experiences that have brought them success, or to discuss ongoing topics of interest with their clinical practices.
Because of BTI’s reputation for academic excellence – combined with the outstanding work our graduates perform in the field – we are frequently contacted by employers who are seeking qualified therapists for their facilities. This information is available in the BTI Resource Bank, maintained for the exclusive use of our students and alumni. We also provide consultation services to our graduates, which may include selection of the right job opportunity, assistance with establishing a new private practice, dealing with challenging client issues, and more.
Our graduates are also supported by the annual schedule of continuing education workshops and advanced trainings offered at BTI. This is where they can meet their professional requirements for license renewal and national certification, while pursuing the areas of specialization that will advance their practices.
We are extremely proud of the fine women and men who have studied massage at BTI, and are heartened by the work they do every day to make a positive difference in the lives of people in their communities. Here are the graduates of our two most recent classes in the Massage Therapy Diploma Program:
BTI Class 54, graduated October 27, 2009 | Front Row: Faith Seay, Hillary MacKenzie, Sara Alasandro, Ian Steffa, Angela Hudson, Eileen Orlowski. Middle Row: Susan Harmuth, Lyn Artusio, Sara Clawson, Linda Dixon, Jennifer Streeter. Back Row: Jessica Ledford, Ainsley Briggs, Sarah Parker, Debra Toth, Diane Griffith, Belen Perez Rivera, Megan Crouch, Jan Lewis, Nancy Humphries, Robin Innes. Not pictured: Amelia Witkin.
BTI Class 53, graduated August 23, 2009 | Front Row: Taheinish Goodman, Cristina Garcia, Elizabeth Cash, Rebekah Anderson, Michelle Hinson, Stephanie Tullo, Mary Grace D'Adamo, Lydia Rentz Whitley, Carey Reynolds, Lea Thomasson, Jillian Robbins. Middle Row: Christine McLaughlin, Wanda Jones, Jessica Graves, Marsha Stephens, Kinzie Meadows, Mary Lee, Amy Hoffman, Ashe McBride-Hinnant, Theresa Brown. Back Row: Matthew Steere, Mary Peterson-Riley, James Jefferson, Laura Bishop, Brian McIntyre, Daniel Holland, Dorothy Hoyle, Jeffrey Schon, Stephen Ineson.