Meet The Team
Lakricha,
General Manager
When I’m not at EMS, you’ll find me cuddling with my three fur babies, binge-watching horror movies with my siblings, or getting lost in my sketchbook. Working the front desk is more than just a job—it’s incredibly rewarding to witness the impact massage therapy has on our clients. The best part? Seeing people leave relaxed, smiling, and feeling better than when they walked in!
Michiko (MJ)
Front Desk Associate
Outside of EMS, I enjoy swimming, reading, and spending time with my cat. I’ve personally experienced the benefits of massage—especially how it’s improved my sleep—and it’s inspiring to hear our clients share similar stories of healing and transformation. Whether you're managing pain or just need to recharge, I’m here to help match you with the perfect therapist to support your wellness journey.
Zara
Front Desk Associate
In my free time, I enjoy relaxing at home with a good movie and cuddling with my new kitten. Since joining EMS, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the healing power of massage and the wide range of specialty services we offer. One of my favorite parts of the job is seeing the transformation in our clients—from the moment they walk in to the peaceful, renewed look they have after their session. It’s a reminder of just how impactful our work truly is.
Front Desk Associates
EMS Licensed Massage Therapists
Woodrow
Specialties: Deep Tissue, Swedish, Trigger Point, Stretching
Available: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Woodrow is a graduate of the Texas Healing Arts Institute and a seasoned massage therapist with nearly a decade of experience in both spa and clinical environments. He is a strong advocate for the medical benefits of massage and brings a calm, focused energy to every session.
Trained in a wide range of techniques—including deep tissue, neuromuscular therapy, acupressure, trigger point, prenatal, and assisted stretching—Woodrow tailors each session to meet the unique needs of his clients. Known for his quiet demeanor and methodical approach, he is deeply committed to helping clients achieve lasting relief and improved wellness through skilled, intentional touch.
Bob
Specialties: Cupping, Myofascial Release, Sports, Geriatric, Deep Tissue, Spanish, and ASL
Available: Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
A 1999 graduate of the Lauterstein-Conway School of Massage, Bob brings over two decades of hands-on experience and clinical expertise to the EMS team. He is nationally certified by the NCBTMB and trained in a wide range of therapeutic modalities including Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Myofascial Release, Sports Massage, and Geriatric techniques.
Bob’s approach is rooted in delivering meaningful, results-driven care that supports long-term health and recovery. His preferred modality is deep tissue at level 4+, where his precision and depth create powerful outcomes for clients seeking relief from chronic pain or muscular tension. His clinical mindset and commitment to bodywork as essential healthcare make him a valuable asset to EMS and the clients we serve.
Cricket
Specialties: Neuromuscular message, cranial sacral & TMJ work Swedish, stretching, prenatal, and chronic health challenges
Available: Tuesday, Friday,
and Sunday
A 2018 graduate of A New Beginning Massage School, Cricket approaches bodywork with a deep passion for regeneration and reset—both physically and mentally. Her work is rooted in the belief that therapeutic massage should not only relax the mind but also address the root causes of muscular, fascial, joint, and nerve dysfunction.​
Cricket specializes in restorative techniques that calm the nervous system while targeting structural imbalances, helping clients feel re-centered, renewed, and better equipped for long-term wellness. Her sessions reflect the EMS vision of clinically focused care with measurable impact
Christopher
Specialties: Swedish, Sports, Deep Pressure, Himalayan Salt Stones
Available: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
Christopher is a graduate of A New Beginning School of Massage and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. With a background as a Veterinary Assistant for over seven years, he brings a compassionate, intuitive approach to care and a deep understanding of the mind-body connection.
Originally from Edinburg, Texas, and a long-time Austin resident, Christopher combines clinical knowledge with a calm, grounded presence. He specializes in Swedish and Deep Tissue techniques, using a therapeutic style that promotes both relaxation and structural relief. His philosophy—“If you believe in it, it will work”—reflects his commitment to empowering clients on their healing journey, one session at a time.
Kayla
Specialties: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, and Prenatal
Available: Monday through Friday
Kayla is a graduate of the Massage Education Institute in Beaumont, TX, and brings over 15 years of experience to the EMS team. With a strong foundation in Deep Tissue, Swedish, Trigger Point, and other therapeutic techniques, she delivers personalized care that supports both recovery and long-term wellness.
Kayla is a firm believer in the power of massage as an essential component of overall health. Her extensive experience and commitment to clinical results reflect the EMS mission to provide purposeful, outcome-driven bodywork for every client.
Megan
Specialties: Swedish, Cupping, Trigger Point
Available: Wednesday, Friday
and Saturday
Megan is a graduate of Avenue Five Institute in Austin, TX, and brings a strong clinical foundation from her experience working in chiropractic settings. There, she specialized in delivering full-body and targeted massages based on individualized treatment plans.
She is extensively trained in a wide range of modalities, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, Lymphatic Facilitation, Craniosacral Therapy, Aromatherapy, and Pregnancy Massage. Megan is also passionate about serving special needs and elderly clients with compassionate, therapeutic care. Her approach reflects the EMS mission—combining clinical precision with personalized support to promote whole-body wellness.
Heather
Specialties: Cupping, Deep Tissue Lymphatic Drainage
Available: Thursday, Friday
Saturday, Sunday & Monday
Heather is a licensed massage therapist with over 12 years of hands-on experience in both therapeutic and medical environments. A graduate of the Texas Healing Arts Institute, she is also a certified specialist in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and has extensive training in Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapy.
Heather brings a compassionate, results-driven approach to her work, with a focus on relieving chronic pain, promoting post-surgical recovery, and improving overall wellness. She has worked with a diverse client base, including individuals with neurological and physical disabilities, and is passionate about making therapeutic care accessible and effective for every client.
Marilyn
Specialties: Firm Pressure, Trigger Point, Cupping, Sports / Stretching
Available: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
A graduate of the CSN School of Massage, Marilyn is deeply passionate about the wellness and medical benefits of therapeutic bodywork. She brings a focused, intentional approach to every session, creating a personalized experience that supports healing and long-term health.
Marilyn is trained in a wide range of modalities including Swedish, Reflexology, Pressure Point Therapy, Prenatal Massage, Salt Stone, Manual Cryotherapy, Aromatherapy, Lymphatic Facilitation, Cupping, and Myofascial Release. She specializes in medium to firm pressure work, helping clients achieve meaningful relief and measurable results—true to the EMS commitment to clinical care and whole-body wellness.
Matthew
Specialties: Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Structural Bodywork
Available: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and every other Saturday
Matthew is a graduate of the Texas Healing Arts Institute and brings a clinically informed, results-oriented approach to every session. With extensive training in deep tissue, structural massage, neuromuscular therapy, and injury rehabilitation, he skillfully applies techniques that go beyond traditional massage to target pain at its source.
Known for his deep understanding of anatomy and physiology, Matthew takes an intuitive and sometimes even conversational approach to bodywork—you might catch him “talking to the muscle” as he works to release tension. Passionate about massage as a form of self-care and recovery, Matthew embodies the EMS mission of providing therapeutic touch with measurable clinical impact.
Rachael
Specialties: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Pain Management, and Chronic Conditions
Available: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Rachael is a graduate of Hands On Approach School of Massage and Spa in Dallas, Texas. She is passionate about addressing the root causes of muscle dysfunction rather than simply managing symptoms, using a thoughtful and research-driven approach to care.
With a strong belief in the body’s natural ability to heal, Rachael integrates elements of metaphysical science with evidence-informed techniques to promote full-body wellness. Her goal is to support each client—both in and out of session—in achieving lasting relief, balance, and vitality. Her work reflects the EMS mission of delivering clinically focused care with a holistic touch.
Carter
Specialties: Deep Tissue, Pain Management, Stretching, Trigger Point
Available: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
A graduate of The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School, Carter is trained in Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Orthopedic, Cupping, Swedish, and Stretching techniques. He focuses on results-driven therapy that addresses the root cause of pain, not just the symptoms. Carter is dedicated to helping clients move better, feel better, and achieve lasting wellness—one session at a time.
Jacqui
Specialties: Swedish, Cupping, Trigger Point
Available: Wednesday, Friday
and Saturday
Jacqui is a graduate of the Texas School of Massage in Houston and brings valuable experience from clinical and chiropractic settings. She believes strongly in massage as a vital form of self-care and approaches each session with intention and compassion.
Known for her natural light touch, Jacqui is trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities including Swedish, Trigger Point, Myofascial Release, Cupping, and techniques tailored for fibromyalgia and geriatric care. Her goal is to support each client’s journey toward improved mobility, reduced pain, and lasting wellness—consistent with EMS’s commitment to impactful, clinical bodywork.
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Devyn
Specialties: Deep Tissue,Cupping, Body Mobilization, Swedish
Available: Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday
Devyn is a compassionate and results-driven massage therapist who brings both skill and heart to every session. Trained in Swedish Massage, Geriatric Massage, and Pediatric Wellness, she delivers care that supports the full spectrum of healing—from relaxation and mobility enhancement to long-term recovery support.
Specializing in firm pressure, Devyn blends clinical insight with a calming presence to address each client’s unique goals. Her background in customer service and communication also enhances her ability to listen actively and build trust—key elements in achieving successful therapeutic outcomes. Devyn’s commitment to wellness, precision, and personalized care aligns perfectly with EMS’s mission to provide clinically focused massage therapy that makes a measurable difference.
Cristel
Specialties: Deep Tissue, Sports, Aromatherapy, MLD Trigger Point
Available: Saturday and Sunday
Cristel is a graduate of the Lauterstein-Conway Massage School and a certified massage therapy instructor, bringing both clinical expertise and educational insight to the EMS team. With a strong foundation in therapeutic bodywork, she is committed to helping clients achieve lasting results through intentional, personalized care.
She is trained in a wide range of modalities, including Deep Tissue, Swedish, Aromatherapy, Sports Massage, Geriatric Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Myofascial Release, Prenatal Massage, and more. Specializing in medium to firm pressure, Cristel’s approach aligns with EMS’s mission to deliver medically focused massage that promotes recovery, function, and overall wellness.
Chelsea
Specialties: Infants & Children, Oncology, Cupping, Stretching, Lymphatic Drainage, Aromatherapy, Craniosacral
Available: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
A graduate of Miller-Motte College in North Carolina, Chelsea brings over seven years of experience and a heartfelt commitment to healing through therapeutic touch. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where clients can release physical and emotional tension.
Chelsea is trained in a variety of modalities including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Craniosacral Therapy, Reflexology, Cupping, Aromatherapy, Massage. Specializing in medium to firm pressure, she tailors each session to promote lasting relief and whole-body wellness—fully aligned with EMS’s mission to deliver purposeful, clinically focused care.
"K"
Specialties: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Orthopedic, Stretching, Prenatal,
Available: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
A graduate of the ACC School of Massage, K brings years of experience across spa, resort, retail, and medical settings. She blends these diverse backgrounds into every session, creating a unique and results-driven experience that reflects EMS’s commitment to wellness and clinical care.
K is trained in a variety of modalities including Deep Tissue, Sports, Swedish, Prenatal, Salt Stone therapy, and more. She takes time to understand each client’s needs and goals, delivering highly personalized care. Known for her deep pressure work, K also draws on her visual impairment as a strength—allowing her to focus more intuitively and precisely on areas of tension. Every session with K is purposeful, impactful, and tailored to help clients move and feel better.
Beth
Specialties: Deep Tissue, Cupping, Abdominal, Prenatal,
Available: Tuesdays
Beth is a graduate of Austin Massage Academy and brings a compassionate, client-focused approach to every session. With hands-on experience across a variety of clinical and wellness environments, she has developed a strong foundation in therapeutic bodywork that supports pain relief, recovery, and whole-body wellness.
Her background in healthcare and customer service—including experience in home health and vaccine outreach—demonstrates her deep commitment to serving others. At EMS, Beth channels that passion into delivering massage therapy with precision, empathy, and measurable impact.
Beth specializes in medium to firm pressure and is trained in a wide range of modalities, including Swedish, Himalayan Salt Stone, Cupping, Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy, Trigger Point Therapy, Abdominal Massage, Prenatal, Sports Massage, and care for Minors (13+), Geriatric clients, individuals with Special Needs, and Oncology patients. Her well-rounded expertise reflects the EMS mission to provide clinical, results-driven care tailored to each client’s unique needs
Paul
Specialties: Deep Tissue, Sports, Stretching, Triger Point, Prenatal
Available: Tuesday, and Saturday
Inspired by a personal journey of helping his mother manage chronic pain, Paul discovered early on the powerful healing potential of massage therapy. Following her encouragement, he became a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2005 after graduating from Austin Schools of Massage—and it remains one of the most rewarding decisions of his life.
Certified in a wide range of modalities including Swedish Relaxation, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Trigger Point, Neuromuscular/Medical Massage, and Prenatal, Paul brings nearly two decades of experience to EMS. He has worked with clients of all ages, from minors to seniors, and is passionate about tailoring each session to deliver both therapeutic relief and long-term wellness.
A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Paul now resides in Round Rock with his wife, Rachel, and their four daughters. Outside the clinic, he enjoys acapella singing, acting, and drawing—all of which reflect his deep appreciation for connection, creativity, and care.
Mattie
Specialities: TMJD, Lymphatic Drainage, Craniosacral, Prenatal, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point, Connective Tissue Disorders, and Pain Management
Available: Fridays
Mattie is both a graduate and instructor at the renowned Lauterstein-Conway Massage School. She brings a balanced approach to bodywork, combining structural techniques with subtle energetic therapies to support the full spectrum of healing—physical, emotional, and mental.
Her sessions blend gentle, flowing movements with focused, intentional work to relieve pain, release tension, and encourage deep, restorative healing. Mattie specializes in medium to firm pressure and is especially passionate about supporting clients recovering from gender-affirming surgery, those with TMJ dysfunction, and individuals seeking the therapeutic benefits of Craniosacral Therapy. Her work reflects EMS’s mission to deliver compassionate, clinically focused care tailored to each client’s unique journey.
Kathy
Specialties: Cupping, Swedish, Deep Pressure, Myofascial Release, Geriatric, Aromatherapy, Prenatal, and Salt Stones
Kathy is a graduate of the Lauterstein-Conway School of Massage in Austin, Texas, and brings an intuitive, artful approach to therapeutic bodywork. She describes massage as a symphony—each touch a carefully composed element working in harmony to restore balance and promote healing.
With training in a wide range of modalities including Swedish, Deep Pressure, Myofascial Release, and Geriatric Massage, Kathy creates personalized sessions that support relief, recovery, and long-term wellness. Her thoughtful, intentional touch reflects the EMS mission to provide clinically focused, results-driven care tailored to each individual’s needs.
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Leigha
Front Desk Associate
I’m a big fan of music, movies, books, and theatre—and proudly part of several fandoms I’m completely obsessed with! When I’m not at EMS, you’ll likely find me reading, binge-watching my favorite shows, or soaking up some puppy cuddles.
What I love most about working the front desk is meeting new people and witnessing the instant relief on clients’ faces after a session. The incredible team here at Effective Massage & Stretch makes every day enjoyable and rewarding—it’s a joy to be part of a place so committed to wellness and care.
Rhonda
Front Desk Associate
Kris
Front Desk Associate
Originally from the Texas Hill Country, I’ve proudly called Austin home for over 12 years. In my free time, I enjoy reading science fiction, baking, and hiking with my husband and daughter.
I studied massage at the Lauterstein-Conway School and spent several years practicing orthopedic massage. Although my hands-on career was shortened due to medical reasons, I’m grateful to continue sharing my passion for massage here at EMS. Supporting our talented therapists and helping clients find the right treatment brings me true fulfillment every day.
512.580.5808