In 1985, Dr. John E. Upledger founded the Upledger Institute to teach people worldwide about the value CranioSacral Therapy (CST). More than 90,000 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.
Dr. Rob Boltuch graduated magna cum laude from Duke University and attended medical school at University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. He completed his internship at Southeastern Medical Center in North Miami Beach and his residency in Osteopathic Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. During his internship, Dr. Rob met Dr. Upledger and became his first associate in 1986 shortly after the formation of The Upledger Institute. He treated patients alongside Dr. John and taught CranioSacral Therapy classes for three years before entering private practice in family practice, osteopathic manipulation and sports medicine.
Dr. Rob is presently on the faculty of Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine, and regularly lectures and trains students and residents. He particularly enjoys his role as ringside physician with The Florida Boxing Commission, and is on the Board of Directors of the Association of Ringside Physicians.
In his spare time, Rob loves horticulture, golf, and weight training. He is happily married to his wife Sintra, with two sons, Andrew and Jonathan.
Dr. Rob has recently rejoined the Upledger Institute Clinic and participated as Medical Director in The Ricky Williams Concussion Pilot Program.
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.
An Upledger Clinic staff therapist since 1996, Cloé Couturier brings decades of experience to every client she serves. Fascinated by the field of medicine from the time she was a child, she was inspired to study alternative approaches when she had a spontaneous awakening to one's own ability to heal more than 25 years ago.
Cloé spent many years exploring the healing process from the inside out before earning her massage therapy certificate in 1989. She was in the process of studying Neuromuscular Therapy when her son was diagnosed with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, a neuromuscular illness considered incurable.
Driven by an insatiable quest to help her child, she attended the British College of Osteopathy and Alternative Therapeutics in France, where she became certified in European osteopathy in 1993. Her education encompassed the classical study and practice of osteopathic manual medicine, including visceral, cranial and structural osteopathic methods along with other modalities such as Lymph Drainage and Muscle Energy Techniques.
Cloé was running a successful private practice and teaching massage therapy in the U.S. and France when she was invited to join The Upledger Institute Clinic by its founder, Dr. John Upledger. Now she specializes in blending CranioSacral Therapy, touch and intention with other powerful approaches to address issues of chronic pain with a broad spectrum of private patients. She also assists in our world-renowned intensive therapy programs, and she was one of a select team of therapists to participate in The Upledger Foundation's landmark program for Vietnam veterans
In addition to her advanced education in CranioSacral Therapy, Cloé has studied and taught Medical Qigong for many years, training under some of the world's preeminent Qigong masters in the U.S. and China. For the past decade, she has been passionately spreading the word about the benefits of combining Medical Qigong with CranioSacral Therapy. She has been a featured speaker on the topic at Beyond the Dura and other prestigious international healthcare conferences.
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.
561-214-5858
Licensed profession with license #:
Licensed Massage Therapist LMT
MA67589
Certifications, level, modalities:
CranioSacral Therapist CST, ADV CST1
Reiki Master/Teacher
Universal Energy Practitioner
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Practitioner
LomiLomi Practitioner
Registered Yoga Teacher RYT 200
Teaching positions:
Teaching Assistant CST1
Member, Associations:
Member, National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork NCBTMB
Member, Florida State Massage Therapy Association FSMTA
Member, Upledger Alumni
Medallion Member, Upledger's International Association of Healthcare Practitioners
Member, Yoga Alliance
IAHE certifications and associations:
CranioSacral Therapist CST
International Alliance Healthcare Practitioners IAHP
Experience and relationship to the clinic:
Continuing education student and Yoga teacher to Upledger Institute staff.
Past professional history:
Justin practiced as a healing arts practitioner at Kula Yoga Shala in Jupiter, Florida where he was fortunate to expand his ability as a therapist and hone in on his trade of facilitating sacred space for others to heal through Reiki as a Reiki Master/Teacher, LomiLomi, Universal Energy healing and therapeutic massage techniques. He has practiced at prestigious private country clubs and a 5 star Resort and Spa where he continues to serve others with the skill set and state of mind to encourage and empower people with heart centered awareness by bringing people deeper within their Self. He took his yoga teacher training at Kula Yoga Shala and is a Registered Yoga Teacher RYT 200 through Yoga Alliance to offer a deeper understanding to those on the path to Self realization and ultimately fulfillment. He enjoys teaching yoga to a variety of students from all walks of life at a couple local country clubs, a beach yoga class in Juno Beach through Kula Yoga Shala and also to the staff of the Upledger Institute.
Personal motivation for your work:
My motivation for my work is my passion to help others by meeting them where they are. I was interested in massage therapy from a friend of mine in high school who was pursuing massage. My friend was inspired by his mother to become a therapist, but eventually decided it wasn't best for his path. I decided to look into it after acknowledging that my heart was not feeling the pursuit of business school any longer and I surely found my place in massage therapy school. Since then I have learned modalities and practices that allow me to be well rounded to offer people possibilities to create homeostasis within.
Professional philosophy:
We are all unique and require an approach that best supports our beings way of healing.
Personal Interests:
Yoga, meditating, skimboarding, slacklining, playing instruments (didgeridoo and flute), being in nature, healing, learning, teaching, reading, inspiring others.
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.
Janet's evolution into the healing arts began when she left college in 1990 as a nursing major and psychology/sociology minor to raise two children. In 1999, she decided to use that background to further her education to become a massage therapist. This career path allowed her to blend her anatomy, physiology, and listening skills with her training in illness, death, and dying and focus on helping others struggling with health issues. Her passion for helping others led her to take her first class in CranioSacral Therapy in 1999.
Janet's private practices were located in Indianapolis at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport, Ballwin, Missouri, and in Yarmouth, Maine. While in Maine, she also worked at a chiropractor's office. When she moved to Florida, she worked for Body and Soul Massage in North Palm Beach before taking a position at the Upledger Institute as a visiting therapist from 2007 to 2009. She worked for Hippocrates Health Institute for more than two years as a CranioSacral Therapist and presented lectures there on CranioSacral Therapy. She was asked to rejoin the Upledger Institute as a clinical therapist in 2014. She calls herself a "continuing education workshop junkie" because her thirst for knowledge is never quenched.
Along with her love for her work, she enjoys yoga, reading, connecting with friends, going to the beach, cooking, entertaining, and playing with her grandchildren.
Carrie Fisher, BS, LMT, CST is an educator and intuitive practitioner specializing in CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release. Carrie is committed to supporting each person's individual healing process, be it emotional, physical, spiritual or a combination thereof. She understands the importance of looking beyond the symptoms of dysfunction to the health of the whole person. She is passionate about resolving core issues rather than merely chasing symptoms. She uses her abilities with a balance between sensitive skill and emotional resonance to initiate and facilitate true and profound healing.
She has been a Florida Licensed Massage Therapist since 1987. Ms. Fisher received her Bachelor's Degree in Alternative Medicine from Everglades University and serves on the University's Alternative Medicine Advisory Committee. She completed her massage studies at the American Institute of Massage Therapy and interned at the Sports Massage Program, University of Florida. She later pursued certification in St. John Neuromuscular Therapy and Prenatal Massage Therapy.
After practicing various massage modalities, Ms. Fisher's career path changed when she received her own life-altering CranioSacral Therapy session. In 1990 she pursued extensive training in CST and, in 1995, joined industry pioneer Dr John E. Upledger in his private practice at the Upledger Clinic and worked by his side co-treating patients. This eventually led to a position as Visiting Therapist at the Upledger Clinic's Intensive Program and inclusion in the Vietnam Vet Program for PTSD, the Dolphin Assisted Therapy Program, and with the team assigned to the Egyptian conjoined twins prior to their successful separation.
Ms. Fisher is a Certified Presenter for Introduction to CranioSacral Therapy, Overview of CranioSacral Therapy and ShareCare Workshops at local and national venues. She is also a Teaching Assistant for CST workshops through the Advanced level.
Ms. Fisher has provided CST in medical, resort, fitness, and private settings to clients presenting with a wide range of conditions, from infants to the elderly, as well as those simply seeking higher levels of health and wellbeing. She is devoted in sharing her passion, knowledge and healing touch with her clients, who experience a greater sense of wholeness, inner peace and personal empowerment.