Continuing Education

  • THE INTERSECTION OF NERVOUS SYSTEM EDUCATION, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, AND MASSAGE THERAPY APPLICATION.

    NAMT explores how life experiences shape the nervous system and influence patterns within the body. More than a collection of techniques, it's a new way of thinking. Therapists learn to recognize and respond to the body's signs and signals, attune to the whole person, and provide more intentional, responsive, and individualized care.

    Together, we will step into the intersection of:

    • The Nervous System

    • Developmental Trauma & Adaptive Survival Patterns

    • The Role and Application of Attuned Touch

    HYBRID OFFERING -

    9 Online Modules:

    • Mondays

    • March 29
      April 5, 12, 19 & 26
      May 3, 10, 17 & 24

    • 8:30am-12:00pm

    • Zoom

    In-Person Immersion:

    • June 7-10

    • 8:30am-5pm each day

    • 30min lunch break

    • At Balance Massage School

    Curriculum Outline:

    —> TRAUMA - definition, types, adaptive survival patterns, trauma-informed approaches,, neuroplasticity + rewiring, re-traumatization and how to avoid it

    —> NERVOUS SYSTEM - anatomy (pathways, mechanoreceptors, brain structures), nervous system states, neurology of touch, regulation/modulation, co-regulation, somatosensory system, window of tolerance, vagus nerve, HOW safe touch impacts nervous system patterns and trauma integration

    —> THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP - scope of practice, inner experience, safe container

    —> INTEROCEPTION - body awareness, interoception vs. exteroception, dissociation/disconnection from body

    —> PAIN SCIENCE - sensitization, pain science basics, nociception, predictive brain model, gate control theory

    —> ASSESSMENT - client nervous system tracking, cues and clues

    —> INTEGRATION - bringing the education to the treatment room, intake process, assessment, applying appropriate techniques for various nervous system states

    Instructors:

    Steph Haddox - BMSVT Founder and Lead Instructor

    Dan Barone - BMSVT Instructor + Support Guide

    REGISTRATION OPENING SOON.

    VSAC APPROVED.

    FAQ's:


    Do I need professional experience in the field before diving into this program?

    Absolutely not. This program is designed for massage therapists ranging from new learner to advanced practitioner. It is a course that deepens our knowledge and application, which is beneficial at every stage of our career. It is designed for massage therapists and students currently in massage school and the in-person 4-day immersion is tailored specifically toward massage application.


    What about VSAC?

    The course is VSAC-approved, and students can apply for the Advancement Grant. Applications are now open for the 2026-27 year!


    I'm hesitant about learning online. What does the structure for the 6 online modules look like?

    I hear that and was once skeptical of online massage therapy education myself. I have taken numerous online courses, many of which centered around trauma-informed care. I've experienced what has worked (and what hasn't) when this type of content is delivered online. The structure will involve a flow through presentation/lecture, dialogue/discussion, small group breakout rooms for discussion and/or activities, and Q+A. The lecture/presentation portion of the modules will also be recorded and available to you to rewatch if further absorption of the material is desired.


    What does the in-person integration entail?

    This is where we put the learning into real-life. We will bring the information from the online modules into application with the intake/interview process, nervous system mapping/assessment, and how to adapt our approaches with clients in response to their nervous system state(s) through attunement and knowing what signs to look for. We will present various case studies and discuss approaches.


    Is there a protocol this NAMT training provides in how to work with clients from a Trauma- and Nervous System-Informed approach?

    No. In fact, a protocol is inherently not trauma- or nervous system-informed because it does not account for the vast range of nervous system states and individual shifts we will encounter as massage practitioners. Our work with clients is a practice rather than a one-size-fits-all formula. This course provides a foundational understanding in what to look for with clients, how to meet their nervous system where it's at, and invite a shift in the input-process-output loop if it supports the client.

  • @ BALANCE MASSAGE SCHOOL

    Foundation of Therapeutic Cupping:
    October 17 | 9:00am–5:00pm

    Advanced Cupping for the Shoulder Girdle:
    October 18 | 9:00am–5:00pm

    *Early bird discount for registrations through Labor Day!

    This workshop goes beyond the basics and integrates Eastern traditions with modern Western science. More information and registration can be found at hyphaedu.org. Amber is an integral part of our faculty as a Massage Application instructor, bringing over 15 years of experience as a massage educator AND her huge heart to BMSVT.