Faculty

"To be educated is not so much to be taught as it is to be awakened to who you really are."
Dawna Markova, PhD.

All of our faculty members are practitioners in their specific disciplines. Their real-life experiences augments their instruction in specific topic areas, be those the academic human sciences or specific hands-on modalities. They come from a variety of professions – chiropractors, naturopaths, massage therapists, counselors, and business.

Susannah Elder, LMT has been a professional and educator for over 15 years. She successfully opened businesses in the corporate world (from financial institutions to travel agencies), all using the same basic practical business information. Since obtaining her Oregon massage license in 2003, she has established a private massage practice, a corporate chair massage business, and a mentoring & practice-building business for newly licensed therapists.

David Fredrickson, LMT is co-owner and Dean of Students of Ashland Institute of Massage. David has been an LMT since 1987. He is a graduate of East-West College in Portland, with specialization in polarity and trigger point therapies. Prior to attending massage school, David was a student of Ortho-Bionomy® and the Touch for Health® method of applied kinesiology. In addition to teaching, he maintains an active private practice. David is recognized for his skills in assessment and therapeutic skill in orthopedic massage.

Geoff Houghten, ND graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon in 1990. He received his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2000 and has been in private practice in Ashland since 2001. He is best known for his unicycle tricks and supplying students with dark chocolate (for its therapeutic benefits).

Bryn McCamley BA, LMT is a graduate of the Ashland Institute of Massage. Bryn has been instructing and supervising students at AIM for several years and is the Student Clinic Coordinator. She combines her practical experience with an extraordinary compassionate presence, great sense of humor, and grace which make her a favorite with students. She has a private practice and also works in a spa setting.

Taffy Clarke Pelton, MA, LMFT, LPC, has a passion for helping people find and answer their call in the world, and to live rich, healthy, balanced and meaningful lives. She is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Ashland, a Wellness Coach and Consultant for a Fortune 10 company, and a Life Coach and Trainer specializing in Mindful Living. Taffy is also a Certified Yoga Instructor, professional speaker, and co-author of Mind Food and Smart Pills, (Doubleday, 1989) and How to Prevent Breast Cancer (Simon & Schuster, 1995).

Joseph Micketti, LMT, NMT is a 1985 graduate of the Boulder School of Massage Therapy and apprenticed at the Colorado Chronic Pain Clinic for two years. His massage practice is based on injury rehabilitation and pain reversal using deep tissue techniques. He formerly assisted on the teaching staff of Neuromuscular Therapy, St. John Method, for eight years. He and his wife, Janie Chandler, co-own Advanced Myotherapy in Ashland.

Matt Schulman, LMT, is a graduate of the Ashland Institute of Massage.  He began studying kinesiology when he was 15 years old, and his knowledge and understanding of kinesiology is the foundation of his massage practice.  He began practicing Taoist Kung Fu in 2002, studying with Damon Honeycutt.  He loves to dance, particularly Argentinean Tango, which he also teaches.  Matt's massage practice is primarily with an elder population, focusing on therapeutic, clinical issues related to pain management and joint injury.

Genna Southworth, BS, MA, is co-owner and Director of Ashland Institute of Massage. Genna has worked as a manager, consultant, and personal coach in a variety of organizational settings, including academia, human services, manufacturing, personal development, and veterinary medicine. She has twenty years training and practice in personal development, communications, and awareness. Her graduate degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences is from the Leadership Institute of Seattle, where somatic psychology was a core component of her oral examinations in organizational and counseling theory.

Laureen Sutton, BA, LMT is a graduate of St. John's College, Pacific School of Massage (1981) and AIM (2008).  In addition to her many years as a massage therapist, Laureen has been a homebirth midwife and childbirth educator.  She now teaches Kinesiology, A&P3, and Myo-Fascial Release at AIM.  Her private practice specializes in therapeutic massage with elderly clients.   In the classroom, Laureen combines clarity of presentation with a relaxed and engaging teaching style.


This is a partial list. Faculty members and courses taught are subject to change.