Therapists

Hello! Welcome to Spa Jacksonville. I am Laura Jarrell, licensed massage therapist, certified aromatherapist and owner of this little co-op healing retreat we affectionately refer to as Spa. Founded in May of 2000, many healing treatments have graced this space. As a result, you can feel and benefit from the good energy here as soon as you walk through the door…as so many of our clients tell us.

Massage

A little about my training and background. My Bachelor of Science is an interdisciplinary degree from SOU in Biology / Physiology / Health with an athletic training certificate and a minor in business marketing. My original plan was to be a physical therapist. However, after work study and practicum experience I decided I wanted to be more hands-on. As a result, I enrolled in massage school. I took course work at Ashland Massage Institute under the guidance of Shari Sunshine. Then I was on my way to becoming the first of our Spa Jacksonville Therapists!

Over the years, my continuing education has focused on various modalities which I’ve integrated into my practice. This includes:

• Shiatsu
• Acupressure
• Myofascial Release
• Trigger Point Therapy
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Reflexology
• Cupping
• Energy work
• Sports Massage.

I blend these modalities into a massage rooted in Swedish technique as indicated for each client. When implementing a treatment plan, I like to take a customized approach. Consequently, each massage session is uniquely tailored to the individual client’s needs. I usually focus sessions on problem areas with an emphasis on pain reduction. Over time, we work further toward the goal of increased mobility. Then we can settle into a maintenance routine. We reassess treatment plans at every appointment, taking into account improvements or new issues that may have arisen. If my client is willing, I recommend homework in the form of stretches, exercises, or self trigger-point work to do between appointments.

Aromatherapy

I also have a passion for aromatherapy. I have over 300 hours of accredited training from Aroma Apothecary Healing Arts Academy. In addition, I am a member of NAHA as a Clinical level Aromatherapist. My Spa Body Therapy line of custom-blended aromatherapy products is available at Spa. This line includes products like

• Muscle Comfort Oil
• Essential (hand) Sanitizer
• Essential Bath Salts
• Scrubs
• Lotions and Massage Oils
• Essential Spritzers for face and body, and more.

These products are all available in custom-blended formulations. Individual consultations with clients are really fun. This way we can formulate the perfect essential oil blend and address their needs whether acute or chronic, physical or emotional, skincare based or holistic. Then I wait to hear back that it was a valuable tool that contributed to their overall good health.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about all of our Spa Jacksonville Therapists. See you at Spa!

Hi, I’m Josette Fithian.

A licensed facial tech, I received my esthetic training in 2007 at the Oregon Institute of Aesthetics. At the same time, I enjoyed working as a teacher’s assistant at the Institute for three years. In 2011, I joined the team at Spa Jacksonville and I have practiced esthetics exclusively here ever since.

I love helping people with their skincare needs and regimen. Providing nurturing, relaxing and effective facial treatments with a loving touch brings me great satisfaction. In order to achieve glowing skin for my clients, I focus on the power of cellular turnover with high speed exfoliation techniques. These include a series of fruit acid peels, monthly facial treatments and special home care products. Of course, all aspects of skincare are important and everyone’s skin is different. Therefore, I address your own skin care needs in a customized facial treatment.

See the Spa Facials tab and Packages tabs that include facials on our Menu page for all the services I offer.

I’m delighted to be one of our long-time Spa Jacksonville Therapists. Hope to see you at Spa soon!

I became a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2015 and a Licensed Esthetician in 2018. My specialty blends therapeutic and relaxation approaches to both body work and skincare. I also hold certifications in Dr. Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage of the neck and face, Dien Chan Zone Facial Reflexology, and advanced training for facial Gua Sha.

I first started in the beauty and wellness field as a massage therapist. After a couple of years, I knew I wanted to include skin care for a full-body approach. I’m a firm believer in the connection between stress and inflammation. Inflammation leads to disease. Therefore, my goal is to relieve stress by therapeutic massage and tension-relieving skincare treatments.

I look at a person as a whole. This is because our body systems are not independent of one another. In other words, they all affect each other. As a result, body and/or skin conditions can be a symptom that multiple systems need our attention.

Based on your direct input and what I understand about your condition, I carefully plan each massage and skin treatment. Most importantly, I personalize the experience for every individual. I’m so happy to be one of the most recent Spa Jacksonville Therapists to join the team!

Tara has been studying and practicing various forms of internal martial, yogic and healing arts since she was 8 years old. This eventually led her to pursue a graduate degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, CA after completing her undergrad at UCLA. Tara is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist in both the states of Oregon and California, a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) on the national level, and a Fellow of the Acupuncture & TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM).

Specializing in fertility, pregnancy and women’s health since 2009, Tara enjoys a focus on reproductive health while also maintaining a general practice for all ages. Tara treats a wide range of health conditions, including stress, anxiety, acute and chronic pain, sleep, digestion, low immunity, autoimmune conditions, male and female fertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, IVF/IUI support, prenatal/postnatal wellness, breech babies, labor support, menstrual irregularities, menopause, surgical/cosmetic scarring, and overall wellness.

Whether you are looking to reduce stress, relieve pain, build a family, or simply feel better, Tara offers natural solutions and holistic care in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.

Book your initial consultation and treatment.

See the Spa Menu for Acupuncture and Holistic Medicine to learn more about the services Tara offers.

Warm greetings! I am happy to serve and connect in this community as a Licensed Massage Therapist as part of a diverse team of practitioners at Spa. I offer treatments tailored to client goals as stand-alone sessions or via treatment plans when addressing chronic conditions and tension patterns. In addition to therapeutic massage sessions, I offer Abdominal Therapy sessions of the renowned lineage, Maya Abdominal Massage, as well as Holistic Pelvic Care™ sessions. My intention is to support a graceful unwinding, providing relief from pain, tension, and congestion held in the pelvic bowl.

In a standard massage session, a client can look forward to receiving blended bodywork, reaching a depth that provides both comfort and beneficial results, including:

• Relaxation Massage
• Deep Tissue
• Myofascial Release Techniques
• Cupping
• Trigger Point Therapy
• Therapeutic Traction & Stretching

On my personal healing journey through complete pelvic floor prolapse, I received Abdominal Massage sessions and was taught the self-massage routine; this offered me the support I needed to walk the road from grief into praise. Through diligent self-massage, following a homecare plan, and subtle lifestyle changes, my ‘irreversible’ condition is remarkably improved, stable, and maintained with confidence and self-empowerment through self-massage. I am honored to now practice this modality, in the same lineage I received from, as a certified practitioner through the Abdominal Therapy Collective, co-founded by Dr. Rosita Arvigo (Maya Abdominal Massage).

I offer sessions with trust and experience that clients will find relief from congestion within the entire abdomen. In an Abdominal Therapy session, along with treatment to the front of the abdomen and the entire back of the body, the effective self-care routine that reliably provides results is taught to each client. Abdominal Therapy is indicated for any body with a need for reproductive, digestive, and low back support.

I look forward to greeting the terrain of each client’s body with presence and respect. Thank you for tuning in and considering us as part of your self-care routine!

A note on praise: I give thanks and praise to all of my teachers, mentors and guides including: Tami Lynn Kent MSPT, Miss Amy Colo LMT & Midwife, Dr. Rosita Arvigo and Julian Cangilose LMT.

View Julia’s offerings.

Read Julia’s Post

I am thrilled to be part of the team at Spa Jacksonville and to practice in this beautiful, healing space.

My specialties include hot stone therapy, deep tissue, and overall stress-reducing, relaxing massage. I’ve received advanced training in focused myofascial work for those who require specific work to treat injuries, scarring, and general pain caused by tight myofascial tissues.

Seeing my clients live their most full life in comfort by easing tension and gently guiding their bodies back into alignment is a joy and so rewarding.

During your session, I blend various techniques to create a healing experience based on your individual needs. We will discuss what you have going on in your body before we get started and go from there.

I look forward to meeting you!

I am a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) who combines my passion for bodywork and metaphysics to provide a safe space for individuals to reconnect with themselves and find harmony within their bodies.

My journey began at the University of California Davis, where I studied agriculture. I have over 12 years of experience working on small, sustainable farms. Friends would describe me as a gentle soul who loves nature, animals, and meaningful human connection.

During my spiritual journey to understand myself better, I began studying Eastern astrology (Bazi, Qimen and Yi-Jing) with various teachers in Malaysia. This journey has led me to explore different types of energy work as well to further understand the connection between the mind, heart, and body.

In my work, I utilize gentle therapeutic modalities and combine them with my understanding of the body’s qi system to help individuals release their physical and emotional restrictions. This helps promote balance and tranquility within the mind and body.