In 1985, Dr. John E. Upledger founded the Upledger Institute to teach people worldwide about the value of CranioSacral Therapy (CST). More than 125,000 therapists have since been trained in CranioSacral Therapy. Dr. Upledger also founded the Upledger Insitute Clinic the same year to provide treatment to individuals suffering from pain and dysfunction, and to continue his groundbreaking research in a clinical setting.
The Upledger Institute Clinic is staffed by physicians and therapists educated in a wide range of conventional and complementary methods of healing. Among our qualified staff are osteopathic physicians, occupational and physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractic physicians, and psychotherapists. Each professional is trained in CranioSacral Therapy and all are personally selected for their expertise and commitment to whole-body health.
Inventor: Still Point Inducer
Author: Cell Talk, CranioSacral Therapy, CranioSacral Therapy II: Beyond The Dura, SomatoEmotional Release and Beyond, Your Inner Physician and You, A Brain is Born: Exploring the Birth and Development of the Central Nervous System, CranioSacral Therapy: Touchstone for Natural Healing, SomatoEmotional Release: Deciphering the Language of Life, and Lessons Out of School
In Memoriam
Born on February 10, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Upledger passed away on October 26, 2012 at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For manual therapists and other healthcare practitioners worldwide, his legacy is his generosity of spirit in sharing his discoveries and knowledge and ensuring their right to practice, For his patients and the patients of his students, his legacy is an open mind and heart to the validity of non-traditional medical approaches. For his family and good friends everywhere, his legacy is to stay with your journey despite the obstacles. He has proudly passed the torch From His Hands to Ours.
Throughout his career as an osteopathic physician, Dr. Upledger was recognized as an innovator and leading proponent in the investigation of new therapies. His development of CranioSacral Therapy in particular earned him an international reputation. He also served on the Alternative Medicine Program Advisory Council for the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C.
Although much of his experience was garnered through private clinical practice, Dr. Upledger served from 1975-1983 as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics at Michigan State University. During those years he supervised a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists and bioengineers in experiments testing the existence and influence of the craniosacral system.
The results of those scientific studies explained the function of the craniosacral system and its use in evaluating and treating poorly understood malfunctions of the brain and spinal cord. Dr. Upledger went on to develop CranioSacral Therapy and other complementary modalities that are now taught worldwide to healthcare professionals through The Upledger Institute's educational programs. He also wrote numerous textbooks and study guides, and more than two dozen research articles.
The Dr. John E. Upledger Foundation was formed to honor his life and work by reaching out to those less fortunate and help improve their life experiences. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the ongoing research and development of new therapeutic applications, and the establishment of community-outreach programs that enhance total health.
In 1984, Lee Nugan was personally tapped by Dr. John E. Upledger, developer of CranioSacral Therapy, to help him establish The Upledger Institute Clinic. Now more than 20 years later, she continues to treat adults, children and couples in her psychology practice here. She brings a wealth of specialized training in guided imagery, meditation, biofeedback, sand-play therapy, play therapy and psychosynthesis.
Understanding the critical role of psychotherapy on even the little ones – ages 2 and up – Lee specializes in safe and compassionate approaches like sand-play therapy and play therapy that encourage children to open up so they can resolve their physical, mental and emotional issues more effectively.
In addition to maintaining her thriving clinical practice, Lee is the developer of Spirituality and Healing, a workshop she has taught in the U.S. and Europe based on principles from A Course in Miracles. She is the author of "Healing the Mind and Body Via the Spirit," an article published in PT & OT Today. Plus, she is a certified instructor of SomatoEmotional Release II workshops. Lee has been deeply involved in The Upledger Institute Clinic's intensive therapy programs, where she works closely with patients, family members and caregivers. She also played a pivotal role in The Upledger Foundation's landmark intensive therapy programs that helped Vietnam veterans better cope with the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Lee earned her bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University and her master's degree from the University of Sydney. Much of her early life was spent seriously studying piano and performing in concerts. She recently used her love of music to create a CD called Compassion for the Self. Intertwining music with guided imagery, she takes you on a journey that allows you to release your fears and open yourself to receive more love and compassion.
An Upedger Clinic staff therapist since 1994, Mya Breman is a licensed clinical social worker who blends psychotherapy with CranioSacral Therapy, Lymph Drainage Therapy and other holistic approaches to address the particular needs of each client she serves. In addition to the successful private practice she maintains here, she also assists in our world-renowned intensive therapy programs.
Formerly a broadcasting executive in TV and radio, Mya originally joined The Upledger Institute as its marketing director in 1989. Impressed by the results she saw patients attain here, she decided to shift her focus and study manual therapy. She went on to earn her state massage therapy license, as well as a master's degree in clinical social work from Barry University.
Today Mya specializes in working with infants and other individuals experiencing a wide range of physical and emotional trauma. She also teaches a series of continuing-education workshops in CranioSacral Therapy, Lymph Drainage Therapy, subtle energy and other innovative healthcare topics. And she is a highly sought after presenter, lecturing and demonstrating her techniques at schools and conventions around the world.
When she's not practicing or teaching, you can often find Mya pursuing another passion of hers: applying her hands-on skills to cats, dogs, horses and other animals who can use some healthy support.
Rebecca Flowers joined The Upledger Institute Clinic in 1998 as a staff clinician with more than 20 years of experience in occupational therapy, CranioSacral Therapy and Sensory Integration.
After earning her bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy summa cum laude from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1986, she went on to establish the pediatric occupational therapy outpatient rehabilitation program at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. Later, in her groundbreaking work as a school occupational therapist, she established the first alternative occupational therapy clinic in Indiana, where she utilized both CranioSacral Therapy and Sensory Integration as well as other complementary approaches.
Rebecca holds three specialty certifications: in CranioSacral Therapy at the Diplomate level by The Upledger Institute, in the administration and interpretation of Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests by Sensory Integration International, and in the Treatment of Pediatrics by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
She also has advanced training in CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation. In addition she has studied Lymph Drainage Therapy, Therapeutic Listening (an auditory training program), and she has extensive training in Healing Touch, Esoteric Healing, Neurodevelopmental Treatment Techniques and Myofascial Release.
Along with her clinical practice focusing on adults and children, Rebecca is actively involved in clinical outcome studies and research. She directs The Upledger Institute's pediatric curriculum and instructors worldwide, and she is an examiner for the CranioSacral Therapy Certification program.
Rebecca teaches a number of Upledger Institute workshops, including CranioSacral Therapy I and Clinical Application of CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release classes focusing on pediatrics and adults. Widely considered an expert in her field, she teaches nationally on a wide range of subjects, and she has published articles on CranioSacral Therapy as well as Sensory Integration.
Lynn Darville is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified CranioSacral Therapist with over 18 years of experience in the field of massage and bodywork. She specializes in Therapeutic Bodywork and CranioSacral Therapy, having taken many advanced level courses with the Upledger Institute and working as a visiting therapist in their clinic. Originally from the Bahamas, she practiced at the exclusive Lyford Cay Club and The Spa at Atlantis as well as working with a talented chiropractor for many years.
Through many years of experience, Lynn has come to realize that each client is an individual and that no single modality works for everyone. With that in mind, Lynn approaches each person as unique in which their life journey has molded and shaped them into the unique being that they are. While she has predominantly focused her studies on specializing in CranioSacral Therapy, she has also studied many other modalities that are integrated into her work as needed by the client.
Kat Perry, CST-D has been practicing CST since 2000 in a variety of venues. She is an Upledger Institute International (UII) instructor and the Ombusdsperson for the BioAquatic Exploration classes. She serves as a therapy team coordinator and administrator in the Dolphin Assisted Therapy Programs. Kat is on staff at the Upledger Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens.
Kat owns and administers Integrative Intentions, LLC, a company specializing in coordinating CST based Comprehensive Therapy Programs, Therapist Retreats and aquatic workshops around the globe. Integrative Intentions (II) brings together a variety of healthcare and body work modalities into five-day Comprehensive Therapy Programs throughout the world. All programs are based in Upledger CranioSacral Therapy to create and promote overall health.
Integrative Intentions has a Clinic and Center in Truth or Consequences, NM where clients come for individual treatment or multi-day, multi-hands CST. Integrative Intentions Clinic proudly holds the title of the first and only Upledger Affiliated Clinic.
II hosts dolphin assisted therapy programs, equine assisted programs, big cat and elephant programs in various places around the world. Integrative Intentions was founded in 2002 by instructors Kat and her husband, Chas Perry, and like-minded CST therapists with the intention of bringing healing to humans, animals and the entire planet ecology. II works closely and in partnership with the Upledger Institute International.
About me:
I believe that we are whole - that there is no separation of our mind, body and spirit. I believe that we each have our unique way of healing and that within each of us, is something that knows just what we need and what we need to do. I believe that CranioSacral Therapy allows for each of us to take our own path, and allows for a more full healing experience, whether that is an accompaniment to western medicine, traditional eastern medicine, native healing practices, psychology, pharmaceuticals or stand-alone CST.
I love people. I love that my work allows me to get to know so many individuals. I am blessed to interact and accompany so many on their healing journeys. I get to Be With and hold a space for them and interact with them as they discover how their own bodies hold the knowledge for healing.
My work allows me the joy of travel to lead therapy programs in unique locations like Iceland and Portugal and to lead retreats in places like Sri Lanka, Florida and New Mexico. I am blessed to teach BioAquatic classes and lead therapy programs in the Bahamas. I have amazing opportunities to treat clients in many places on the globe!
I love life - mine, yours, plants, oceans, animals and those of my clients. I have immense respect for dolphins, cats, dogs, oceans, flowers, family, friends, sunshine and all of life.
Frederick B Stahlman is an individual who has the ability to guide his patients through physical, emotional or spiritual challenges with grace and ease. With his extensive background in manual therapies, as well as CranioSacral Therapy, he is able to bridge traditional and complementary approaches to assist his patients in the understanding of the issues at hand and the belief systems that maintain them. Together, they open new doorways of freedom.
Fred's background includes extensive study with most of the masters in manual therapy as well as indepth study in the advanced realms of: CranioSacral Therapy; Lymphatic Drainage; Visceral Manipulation; SomatoEmotional Release; and Awareness Release Technique.
As a member of the Upledger Clinic staff, Dr. Mabry's extensive experience in Chiropractic, CranioSacral therapy and Massage therapy brings a unique blend of healing manual therapies to patients suffering from pain and dysfunction.
Prior to joining Upledger, she had Chiropractic practices in California, Louisiana and Florida. Dr. Mabry practiced massage therapy and herself is a graduate of the Upledger Institute CranioSacral Therapy curriculum. Her study of the human body began in 1993, when she attended her first Upledger Institute course, ShareCare. Dr. Mabry graduated Summa cum laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose, California. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Florida in Gainesville, where she completed her undergraduate studies.
Dr. Lynn Mabry has contributed to the publication of two papers in the Clinical Chiropractic journal: "A 24-year-old man with neck pain: case presentation" and "A 24-year-old man with neck pain: case discussion."
She fully believes that every human being has an innate intelligence within them that maintains the material of the body in active organization. She understands that the body is programmed to heal itself and that the innate intelligence in each of us needs no help, just no interference. The application of Chiropractic and CranioSacral Therapy removes interferences from the body to allow the innate intelligence to more effectively adapt, organize and co-ordinate the many self-healing properties of the body, which in turn allows the individual the opportunity to express life, health, healing and well being to their fullest potential.
She is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in her community through safe and effective Chiropractic care and CranioSacral Therapy. She has created her own unique blend of bodywork, which incorporates many different aspects of her years of study and practice and loves how beautifully chiropractic and CranioSacral Therapy go hand in hand.
A Licensed Massage Therapist since 2008, and with over 12 years of training with the Upledger Institute behind her, Henderson’s experience leads her to assist her clients by helping the body to remove restrictions in the craniosacral system and improve function. This helps the body self-correct, relax, allows the central nervous system to heal, strengthen resistance to disease and relieve pain.
In 2020, Henderson was appointed as Pilot Therapist to introduce the latest program by the Dr John E Upledger Foundation called Heal It Forward. Henderson treated qualified patients in need, who may not have had the resources to pay for services. Described as “treatments of kindness”, this helped to expand the benefit of CranioSacral Therapy and successfully helped so many in need. This led to her transitioning her business into the Upledger Clinic where she is available for therapy. Henderson is well known for her warm, caring, and uplifting personality.
Rob Fournier combines his unique skill set and background in occupational therapy and CranioSacral Therapy to assist his clients on their journey to oneness through a heart centered approach. Through this approach, clients are able to easily release what no longer serves their highest and greatest good allowing for transformation to occur. Rob had a personal life/death experience at birth, allowing him to see beyond his potential.
He uses laughter and play as a gateway of healing and connecting to our true source of happiness within. All healing, growth, and unity begins from within. Through Rob’s book, The Process: Soul’s Journey to Oneness, he provides personal real life experiences and tools to assist you in feeling the vibration of love and how to develop awareness needed for transformation. He is currently working on his second book, The Process: Sacred Journey’s to Oneness where he provides documented examples from his trips around the globe in understanding we are all one.