Owner
Throughout her life, Joy has set out on a mission to help people no matter what stage of life they are in. She meets people where they are and works diligently to elevate their mood, physical comfort, and mindset. Whether you need assistance with how to start the process of healing from an injury, healing from emotional trauma, or even if you have no idea where to begin, Joy wants to be a point of contact and valuable resource so that you can enjoy life to the fullest, focusing on what that means to you, and what matters to you the most.

Kia Brice , RMP, With a passion for personalized care, Kia, a Massage Therapist since 2006 and Baltimore School of Massage graduate, brings a unique touch to her custom massages. As a natural nurturer and empath, Kia believes in the beauty of individuality-just like her massages, no two are ever alike! She thrives on making sure that each and every client feels well cared for. Outside the spa, she enjoys cozying up with an audiobook, tuning into podcasts, or indulging in her favorite TV shows.

Lisa Gonder, RMP, RN is a State and Board Certified Massage Therapist as well as a Registered Nurse. She brings extensive anatomy and physiology knowledge to her sessions as well as an innate need to bring wellness to others. She tailors each massage to fit the needs of her clients utilizing her intuition and skilled technique. She has continued her training to include, craniosacral therapy, swedish, deep tissue, myofascial, hot stone therapy, and many others.

Marianna Kamalakis, LMT likes long walks on the beach, French chocolate and red roses… just kidding. Marianna is very serious about her massage career. She graduated in 2019 from Central Maryland School of Massage where she primarily studied Swedish-style massage. She hopes to learn more under the guidance of her fellow Therapists. She recently became certified in prenatal massage! Marianna's goal is to anticipate her client's needs and educate herself on the latest in therapeutic research. Marianna also speaks Spanish! Se habla español!

Joshua is a Certified Rolfer™ and LMT. His practice is informed by his experience in social work, mediation, and mind-body health. His services incorporate Rolfing® Structural Integration, deep-tissue techniques, assessment, muscle activation and client education. Having experienced powerful life changes through structural integration himself, in 2017Joshua graduated from the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute in Boulder, CO.
His signature service, Rolfing™ Structural Integration, is a form of deep-pressure manual therapy that uses therapeutic touch and education to address painful tension patterns and postural imbalances—leading to easier, more comfortable, more efficient movement and lasting change in the body. Joshua's practice focuses on pain relief and his special interest is in working with clients to return to healthy breathing and movement through mind-body awareness.
Joshua loves learning, teaching, spending quality time with his family, and exploring our precious natural world.

Matthew Taylor, LMT, comes to massage therapy through his desire to help people heal. A professional systems engineer in his day job, Matthew takes a biomechanical approach to massage therapy, using techniques such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release and PNF Stretching. Matthew is a massage therapy graduate from Anne Arundel Community College and licensed in the State of Maryland. He is also available for mobile massage therapy appointments and corporate events.

Corrine's smiling face will make your visit at TheraKneads comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her fiancée & three amazing puppies. She also enjoys reading and being out in nature.

Manager of All Things
Stephanie comes to TheraKneads with extensive knowledge of the wellness industry. Her organization, drive, and compassion spill into every interaction with clients and coworkers. She brings a sense of calm and structure to our reception area that will give you confidence that you have been placed in good hands, no matter the service you choose.

Angela DeStefano, LMT is a licensed massage therapist in the states of MD, CO, and CA and a 2013 graduate of the Central Maryland School of Massage. During her 3 years in the mountains of Colorado, Angela developed an expertise in deep tissue recovery massage. Whether the body has developed tension from injuries, sport, travel, or everyday stress, Angela uses a variety of modalities to deeply relax the body and mind and ease chronic pain. The style of her bodywork draws inspiration from her background in dance. She prioritizes fluidity, using rhythmic strokes to help strengthen the flow of energy, induce relaxation, and restore balance. By staying present and connecting to the energy of the client, a healing flow of energy between therapist and client is created. Angela stays grounded through her daily practice of running, yoga, meditation, and seeking solace in nature.

Krystal Henson, LMT, is a Licensed and Board Certified Massage Therapist. She graduated from Central Maryland School of Massage in 2009. Massage therapy has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember, and every massage she does incorporates several modalities specifically designed for each client, every session. Krystal enjoys helping others through whatever life has thrown at their minds and bodies. She is trained in Pregnancy, Swedish and Deep tissue .

Dawn Loughry, RMP, is a veteran massage therapist who graduated from Baltimore School of Massage over 10 years ago. Dawn believes massage therapy is a great way to promote relaxation, ease pain, reduce stress and incorporate self-care into your life. Dawn is super passionate about helping others reach their wellness goals and helping them feel their best. Before her massage career, Dawn was a nanny, and she has always believed it is her calling in life to help and guide others. Dawn is certified in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, and she loves to incorporate stretching and hot stones into her sessions.

Michele Pedersen, LMT, Women’s Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach
Michele Pedersen is a Certified Integrative Nutritional Health Coach with her Masters in Health & Wellness Coaching and Nutrition. She has over 30 years’ experience in the Wellness field. Michele currently works as a Holistic Massage Therapist, Women’s Transformational Health, Wellness, Birth Journey & Life Coach, and Sound & Energy Healing Practitioner. She is the author of 3 books that serve to advocate for an empowered birth and life journey.
Navigating her own health challenges with Hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, gut health imbalances, and Lyme Disease, along with experiencing their impact on her birth and postpartum experiences, are what have inspired Michele to support others to feel more empowered and supported on their journey to wellness through a holistic approach to their well-being. Her inspiration to incorporate sound healing in her health coaching and massage sessions came from years of observing the nervous system’s contributing role in physical, emotional & hormonal imbalances, as well as dis-ease.
She believes that supporting others in restoring their nervous system health through sound frequency, energy healing practices, mindfulness, essential nutrition, quality sleep, and breath practices is foundational to living from an optimal state of health and well-being. She has found that combining individualized nutrition and nervous system regulation practices promote immune regulation, hormone balance, blood sugar balance, gut health, and emotional well-being.
Michele has additional certifications in Gut Health, Hypnobirthing, Fertility Coaching, Holistic Fertility Massage, Ayurvedic Nutrition for Pregnancy and Postpartum, and Hormone Balance for Fertility through Menopause. She is co-host of a podcast called “Conscious Feminine Revolution.” You can find her latest book, which includes a variety of essential self-care practices for your well-being , along with her story about how she went from surviving to thriving, called Your Embodied Soul Journey: Coming Home to Yourself and the Life You Were Meant to be Living, available on Amazon.

Corrie Wasson, RMP is a graduate of the Baltimore School of Massage and has a past career in social work. She is passionate about the maintenance of one’s self and believes that massage therapy contributes to a person’s overall well being of mind, body, and spirit. She works to slowly engage with the body to assess what it needs, working to alleviate any tension or pain. Her style combines a mixture of Swedish and deep tissue techniques to provide a relaxing, yet effective massage. Corrie also loves providing mobile massage therapy for clients who prefer to receive treatment from their homes.

Sara Basanta, LMT, believes in the power of touch to help people mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. She knows how much her clients look forward to their appointments, which makes a huge impact on how she feels about going to work each day!
Her many experiences along the way have prepared her for success in her massage therapy journey. Dancing helped her achieve fluidity and balance. Playing sports taught her commitment and helped her understand the body’s potential, limits, movement patterns and body mechanics. Teaching helped her listen with patience. Working with rescue animals developed her nurturing spirit and empathy.
Sara is experienced in Deep Tissue techniques, Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Therapy, Prenatal, Swedish, and Tabletop Thai. She will attend to your needs by balancing practiced skill with mindful touch, whether you are seeking relaxation, increased mobility, relief from pain or a prenatal treatment. Sara will meet you exactly where you are on your wellness journey, and she has a keen interest in helping people attain their health and wellness goals.

Veronica is a dedicated Reiki Master who believes in the universal power of energy healing. With practice and a deep commitment to holistic well-being, Veronica offers Reiki sessions designed to restore balance, promote healing, and enhance peace for all living beings. Whether you seek relief from physical pain, emotional stress, or simply wish to improve your overall wellness, Veronica is passionate about providing Reiki sessions that tap into your body’s natural healing abilities. Reiki is for everyone, and Veronica welcomes individuals of all ages and backgrounds to experience the transformative benefits of this gentle yet powerful healing modality.

Katie Jones, RMP, is a graduate of Cortiva Institute-Baltimore, formerly the Baltimore School of Massage. Transitioning from a fulfilling career as a dedicated reading teacher, she embarked on a new journey driven by her passion for benevolence and holistic wellness. As a certified massage therapist, she intertwines empathy with expertise, offering personalized healing experiences. With a nurturing touch cultivated from years of teaching, she aims to soothe not just the body, but also the mind and spirit. Her practice embodies the art of compassionate care, and fostering relaxation and rejuvenation for each individual she has the privilege to serve.

Cindy, LMT, is passionate about getting clients out of pain using her background knowledge in Kinesiology to deliver a more clinical massage. She specializes in Orthopedic/Medical Massage, which involves using a combination of assessment, stretching, neuromuscular techniques, cupping and active resistive techniques to target specific musculoskeletal issues, strains, etc. Her sessions are geared toward accomplishing a specific outcome. She also loves working with pregnant women as their bodies change throughout their pregnancy.

Aysema, LMT, graduated from the Central Maryland School of Massage in 2015 when she decided to pursue her passion for healing. Aysema is skilled in Swedish Massage, Reflexology and is a Reiki Level II practitioner. She intuitively focuses on the client’s individual needs to help relieve muscular stress and overall tension. Aysema seeks to create a welcoming and relaxing space where her clients can feel better in their bodies.
*Available at both the Eldersburg and Westminster Locations.

Beth Cox, Front Desk Manager, brings her grounded and calm presence into our wellness center with every scheduled appointment. You can count on her to be on your side, finding the perfect time, therapist, and service that will best suit your needs. Her trustworthy and dependable nature brings a sense of structure as soon as you walk through the door.

Glyn Blackburn RMP
Glynn Blackburn, RMP received his training from The Baltimore School of Massage in 2009. He is State and Board certified in Maryland. Glynn is trained in Swedish, deep tissue, and trigger point therapy. He specializes in orthopedic massage, reflexology, TMJ disorders and fibromyalgia. His passion is to help people get moving and back to daily function.

Katie Frame, RMP has over 10 years experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in deep tissue, trigger point, and myofascial techniques. She works with all ages and is passionate about helping others to relieve stress and live their best lives free of pain.

Gregory Joynes, LMT, received his training from the Baltimore School of Massage in 2003 and is state and board certified. His modalities include Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release, muscle release, and sports massage therapy. Greogry has a firm touch and likes to incorporate a lot of deep stretching during his sessions.

Danielle Oliveri, LMT, graduated from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in 2001. There, she worked closely with her Anatomy & Physiology teacher, who was also her chiropractor. Danielle has also worked as a Chiropractic Assistant, and much of what she has learned in the medical environment she incorporates during her therapeutic massage sessions today.
Danielle is known for delivering results-oriented massage for those with neck, shoulder and back pain. She believes all clients new to massage (or those with a lot of localized pain) should begin with a focused neck, shoulder and back massage, as it allows the therapist to really work out knots that have been forming over a long period of time, and which otherwise might not get addressed thoroughly. She knows once clients feel real relief from this kind of work, they will be a believer in the benefits of massage therapy.
Danielle is a calming soul and a great listener who enjoys working with her loyal existing clientele, as well as those who are newcomers to massage therapy. Danielle also has a background in kitchen design, and is a single mom to her loving Shih Tzus.

Kayla Sheppard, RMP focuses on your complete relaxation as top priority in all her sessions. Her unique style revolves around slow, graceful movements, while also incorporating stretching and specific techniques to produce a therapeutic result. Her ultimate goal is for your body, and mind, to be at peace when you leave her table.
Kayla graduated from the Central Maryland School of Massage in Frederick, MD. She utilizes many techniques, including Swedish, myofascial, trigger point, and passive and active stretching. She looks forward to learning additional modalities in the near future and integrating them into her practice. She looks forward to working with you!

Yury Lomakin, Weekend Manager You may recognize Yury as that guy whose sink was on fire, and hopefully you'll one day recognize him for his endearing faux pas while accepting an Academy Award. In the meantime, he's happy to field your appointments and inquiries on the weekends.

Meet the incredible team at Therakneads — a group of skilled professionals passionate about providing exceptional care and personalized wellness solutions to help you feel your best.

Joy Loraw, Owner

Kia Brice

Lisa Gonder

Marianna Kamalakis

Joshua Paul

Matthew Taylor

Corrine Shortt

Stephanie Wolbert

Angela DeStefano

Krytal Henson

Dawn Loughry

Michele Pedersen

Corrie Wasson

Sara Basanta

Veronica Eyler

Katie Jones

Cindy

Aysema Shade

Beth Cox

Glynn Blackburn

Katie Frame

Gregory Joynes

Danielle Oliveri

Kayla Sheppard

Yury Lomakin