Meet Heather

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My Practice

My practice integrates three distinct areas of expertise:

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A traditionally trained occupational therapist with experience working in hospitals, outpatient clinics and nursing homes

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Certification in Integrative Manual Therapy and advanced training in additional manual therapy and energy healing modalities

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Extensive training in mindfulness meditation and other contemplative spiritual practices

My expertise as an IMT practitioner lies in the ability to evaluate how each of the systems in the body interacts with and impacts the other systems. Once I understand how the systems are functioning, I am able to design the appropriate treatment and assess the body’s response to treatment in order to bring each system back into balance.

Clients of all ages, from infancy to older adulthood can benefit from IMT. Every person brings a unique story and unique goals for what they would like to achieve. Because I treat from a BodyMind frame of reference, goals can be related to physical, mental, emotional or spiritual issues that are impacting your desired level of function.

My Story

I became an occupational therapist because I liked the profession’s focus on helping the whole person, mind, body and spirit. I completed my master’s degree at Tufts (which included training in psychology, pediatrics, and physical rehabilitation) and took a job at Youville Hospital, a Harvard teaching hospital, in Cambridge.

While working at Youville, I completed many continuing education classes in manual therapy. I quickly gravitated to the classes that taught about the subtle systems of the body. I was fascinated by the energy systems, the chakras and meridians, but also the craniosacral system. I began to understand that every system of the body responded more quickly and more fully if I understood the energetic principles of that system. I learned techniques- real skills that took practice and effort to master- to read the body’s holding patterns of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energies. I learned how to understand the body’s protective modes around old injuries, and I learned how to facilitate the body’s innate drive toward self-correction.

Throughout my career, I incorporated a study and practice of meditation. Beginning in 1995, I studied many different forms of meditation. My meditation study and practice is integral to my development as a person and healer.

I continue to have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge in the realm of healing and transformation. I actively seek out opportunities to learn new techniques to enhance my practice, and to develop as a person. I believe the study and integration of so many different healing modalities is what allows me to have such a profound and positive impact on the health and wellbeing of my clients.

Education/ Credentials

Formal Education

In 1991, I earned my BA from Boston College in English literature. A few years later, I earned my MA from Tufts University in occupational therapy, with a research focus on the emerging BodyMind theory and the use of complementary therapies in rehabilitation. In 1999 Sharon Weiselfish Giammatteo recruited me to join the prestigious Centers for Integrative Manual Therapy in Bloomfield, CT. I was able to complete the four-year certification in Integrative Manual Therapy in my first year, and began teaching manual therapy seminars in the US, Germany, and Hong Kong.

Clinical Training

Ifeel fortunate to have had opportunities to learn and practice under the guidance of experts in both traditional and alternative medicine. My career began as a staff occupational therapist at Youville Hospital, a Harvard teaching hospital, where I spent four years rotating through all of the clinical departments, including cardiac, stroke, orthopedic and complex medical. I worked for Sharon Giammatteo for three years in an apprenticeship focused on developing my skills as a manual therapist and mastering the practice of energy medicine. This was also a time of deep healing for myself as I was surrounded by colleagues who were amazing healers. I’m happy to be a person who has experienced expert level healing for myself so that my personal discernment for quality is highly developed.

“It is mind-blowing to witness Heather’s skill and sensitivity at tuning in to what my body needs.“

- WW

Continuing Education

Since opening my first private practice incorporating Integrative Manual Therapy, energy medicine, and mindfulness training in 2003, I’ve added thousands of hours of continuing education courses, meditation trainings, including a 200-hour yoga teacher training. This training and expertise allow me to compare approaches to healing and then incorporate the most effective techniques for each client based on their individual needs.

  • Advanced Infectious Disorders II: Manual Therapy Seminars, October 4-6, 2019
  • Advanced Integration: Neuro Focus: Manual Therapy Seminars, March 9-11, 2019
  • Advanced Integration: Integrative Diagnostics for Applied Psychosynthesis: Manual Therapy Seminars, September 25-29, 2018
  • Implementing Nutrition in Your Clinic: Standard Process, May 18-20, 2018
  • Providence Zen Center: Meditation Retreat, May 6, 2018
  • Advanced Infectious Disorders I: Manual Therapy Seminars,  April 26-29, 2018
  • Optimizing Digestion and Liver Function: Standard Process, March 24-25, 2018
  • Meridian Autonomic Testing: Standard Process, January 27-28, 2018
  • The Zones of Regulation: November 15-16, 2017
  • Pranotthan Yoga Teacher Training: 200 hour training, November, 2015 – April, 2016
  • Revolutionary Yoga Rehabilitation: Cross Country Education, May 21, 2015
  • 3rd Annual New England Sports and Orthopedic Rehab Summit: Brown University, April 11, 2015
  • Shambhala Meditation Center: Level 5 Training: Boston, MA, January 2014
  • Shambhala Meditation Center: Level 4 Training: Providence, RI, July 2013
  • Shambhala Meditation Center Retreat: Providence, RI, January 1, 2013
  • Vipassana 10 Day Meditation Retreat: Onalaska, WA, August, 2012
  • Systems-Centered Training Workshop:  SCT Research Institute, April 6, 2012
  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: 8 week program, January – March, 2012
  • Brain Embodiment: Transformational Pain Treatment: Pain Society of Oregon, August 27-28, 2010
  • Shambhala Meditation Center: Level 3 Training, Portland, OR, November, 2009
  • Shambhala Meditation Center: Level 2 Training, Portland, OR, August, 2009
  • Shambhala Meditation Center: Level 1 Training, Portland, OR, May, 2009
  • San Diego Zen Center: 5 Day Meditation Retreat, San Diego, CA 2008
  • Process Acupressure IB: Upledger Institute, April 24-27, 2008
  • Circulation: Biovalent Systems, Aug 24-27, 2007
  • Advanced Connective Tissue: Biovalent Systems, July 27-29, 2007
  • Connective Tissue Foundations: Biovalent Systems, June 22-24, 2007
  • Process Acupressure IA: Upledger Institute, June 16-19, 2005
  • Clinical Acupressure I: Upledger Institute, April 14-17, 2005
  • Evolutionary Process: Denine Savage PT, September 3-6, 2004
  • Integrative Manual Therapy for Stroke: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Nov 8-10, 2002
  • Integrative Diagnostics Workshop: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Aug 20-22, 2002
  • The Lymphatic System Level 4: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Aug 17-19, 2002
  • Biologic Analogs Advanced Level 1: Therapeutic Horizons, May 3-5, 2002
  • Biomechanical Regulators: Biovalent Systems, March 14-17, 2002
  • Integrative Diagnostics Series 3: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Feb 9-10, 2002
  • The Art of Unwinding: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Jan 25-27, 2002
  • Cranial Therapy Series Advanced 3: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Oct 13-15, 2001
  • The Lymphatic System 3: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Aug 21-23, 2001
  • Visceral Cardiac Habilitation 2: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Aug 18-20, 2001
  • Integrative Manual Therapy for Detox: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, July 27-29, 2001
  • Biologic Analogs of Bone: Therapeutic Horizons, May 3-5, 2001
  • Integrative Diagnostics Series Advanced 2: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, March 24-25, 2001
  • Manual Perceptions: Biovalent Systems, Feb 10-12, 2001
  • Cranial Therapy Series Advanced 2: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Jan 27-30, 2001
  • The Lymphatic System 2: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Jan 7-9, 2001
  • Biologic Analogs Advanced 3: Therapeutic Horizons, Nov 10-13, 2000
  • Biologic Analogs Advanced 1: Therapeutic Horizons, Oct 26-29, 2000
  • Cranial Therapy Series 5: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Sept 9-10, 2000
  • Visceral Cardiac Habilitation: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Aug 22-24, 2000
  • Integrative Diagnostics of Pediatrics: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Aug 19-21, 2000
  • Advanced Muscle Energy: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, May 19-21, 2000
  • Zero Balancing I: Upledger Institute, March 23-26, 2000
  • Integrative Diagnostics Series 1: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Feb 12-13, 2000
  • Integrative Diagnostics Series 4: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Jan 16-17, 2000
  • Biologic Analogs Neuro-Reflexogenic Associations: Therapeutic Horizons, Nov 11-14, 1999
  • Cranial Therapy Series 4: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Nov 6-9, 1999
  • Cranial Therapy Series 3: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Oct 1-3, 1999
  • Muscle Energy Technique 3 (Type 3 Dysfunction): Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Sept 24, 1999
  • Muscle Energy Technique 2 (UE, LE, Ribcage): Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Sept 22-23, 1999
  • Integrative Diagnostics Series 3: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Sept 16-17, 1999
  • Upper Extremity Compression Syndromes: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Aug 27-29, 1999
  • Lower Extremity Compression Syndromes: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Aug 24-26, 1999
  • Respiratory Rehabilitation: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Aug 21-23, 1999
  • Biologic Analogs Circulation Mobilization: Therapeutic Horizons, June 25-27, 1999
  • Integrative Diagnostics Series 2: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, June 18-19, 1999
  • Cranial Therapy Series 2: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, June 1-4, 1999
  • Neural Tissue Tension 2: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, May 12-14, 1999
  • Clinical Hypnotherapy: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Feb 2-5, 1999
  • Practical Integration Visceral Manipulation: Upledger Institute, April 23-25, 1999
  • Cranial Therapy Series 1: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Jan 27-29, 1999
  • Biologic Analogs Neural Mobilizations: Therapeutic Horizons, Jan 12-15, 1999
  • Craniosacral II: Upledger Institute, Nov 12-15, 1998
  • Visceral Manipulation II: Upledger Institute, Sept 24-27, 1998
  • Integrative Diagnostics Applied Psychosynthesis: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Sept 14-17, 1998
  • Visceral Manipulation IB: Upledger Institute, June 11-14, 1998
  • Visceral Manipulation IA: Upledger Institute, March 5-8, 1998
  • Neural Tissue Tension: Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, April 12-13, 1997
  • Myofascial Release: Upledger Institute, April 3-5, 1997
  • Manual Therapy for Shoulder, Thoracic Outlet and Upper Quadrant:
  • Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, Feb 13-16, 1997
  • Muscle Energy Techniques: Upledger Institute, Jan 24-26, 1997
  • Craniosacral I: Upledger Institute, April 18-21, 1996

Success Stories

"My health concerns were a mystery to other doctors, but Heather was able to detect signs of tick-borne infection and the presence of other viruses and bacteria that were previously undetected by other medical tests. It is mind-blowing to witness Heather's skill and sensitivity at tuning in to what my body needs."

-W.W.

"One thing I really liked was that she includes a lot of training in self-care, like mindfulness meditation, and even hands-on self-healing “homework”. I learned a lot about myself, my body and my ability to heal. I felt like she really listened to what was important to me and that my goals were her goals."

-A.K.

"First our child was sleeping better, then eating better, and finally self-regulating her emotions. We feel like Heather gave us our family back. We are now able to go for “tune ups” when needed. Heather has an amazing approach. She is knowledgeable, professional and kind. We highly recommend her services."

- K.B.

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