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Andi Shannon, RMT

Andi has been practicing as an RMT in the Alberni Valley for over 17 years. Contributing to the community in a positive way is one of her main purposes,

and she sets out to live that goal every day in her dedication to her patients in her practice as an RMT, and in time spent coaching young athletes.

Years of athletics gave her solid footing in high performance strength and conditioning training, sports injuries and rehabilitation. Extensive training meant extensive therapy – which grew her respect for massage therapists and an understanding for using multiple therapies and modalities to rehabilitate an injury. Years of working a physical job and balancing a busy family life have given her a deeper understanding of the need for maintenance on old injuries, chronic overuse injuries, the importance of stress relief, and a recognition that our ideal health goals are often sacrificed due to time constraints and the stresses of day to day life.

Whether working as your primary therapist or collaborating with other practitioners, Andi aims to help patients from all walks of life work towards reaching their physical goals. She has a patient centred approach and focuses on evidence based practice through a variety of soft tissues manipulation techniques.

Christine Deyoung, RMT

Christine knew from high school that she wanted to study to be a registered massage therapsist. In December of 2012 she completed the intensive 3000 hour program

and moved back to Port Alberni to start her career. Her time spent growing up in the Alberni Valley, her love for the outdoors and mountains, and her successful practice have all contributed to settling her roots into the community.

Christine has completed her Craniosacral Level 1 and 2 certification, Somatoemotional release 1, a basic certification in manual lymph drainage (MLD), and attended the popular ‘Anatmoy Trains’ course. These proficiency’s add to the extensive therapeutic modalities that Christine is trained to practice.

“I have always had a passion for helping people – I fully understand the limitations that follow injury or medical conditions and through massage I would love to use my skills to help others regain their mobility, to improve their health and be able to return to the activities they love”.

Kate Mancell, RMT

Kate completed the 3000 hour registered massage therapy program at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT) in Victoria in 2008.

She uses a combination of her clinical experience and research to inform her patient centred care approach, providing individualized treatments for a variety of acute and chronic conditions. Swedish massage, myofasical release, trigger point therapy and craniosacral therapy are the primary techniques she uses to assist her patients in reaching their therapeutic goals. When not working Kate can be found on the golf course or spending time with her family.

Tim Keizer, RMT

Tim Keizer, born and raised in Port Alberni, is excited to be practising at Alberni Massage Therapy. Tim worked for many years as an acute care practical nurse at West Coast General Hospital, before pursuing further education in massage therapy.

He graduated his massage therapy training from the Alberta School of Massage Therapy with high distinction.

Tim, his wife Andrea, and two children love living the beautiful west coast, and take as much time to play and explore in nature as possible. Tim has always loved sports and recreation, and spent much of his youth playing soccer with AVSA, Alberni Athletics, and now enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and many of the other outdoor activities Vancouver Island has to offer.

As a health care professional, Tim has a strong background in overall health and wellness. Tim looks forward to assisting clients with formulating an effective approach to their own health and wellbeing, and is able to meet each client where they are at in their own personal health journey. Whether rehabilitating from injury or medical condition and limitations, Tim strongly believes that with effective therapy clients can achieve outcomes that will empower them to continue on with a happier, healthier and holistic lifestyle.

Jen Shelest, RMT

Jen has 15 years experience as a RMT. She graduated from Victoria’s West Coast College of Massage Therapy’s 3000-hour program in 2007. She looks forward to helping you decrease muscle pain, relieve tension and restore mobility.

She’s a good listener and provides accurate assessment and treatment that are specific and effective.

She uses a combination of techniques that include relaxation massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release and muscle energy technique. Empowering you with resources when needed, she honours a holistic approach (big picture/whole person).

Jen has advanced training in orthopaedic assessment and treatment for the neck, pelvis and jaw. Over the years she’s helped people with anxiety, headaches, whiplash, back, neck and jaw pain, sciatica, scoliosis, plantar fasciitis, spinal conditions and injuries of all kinds. She’s also studied pain science to help others understand why they experience pain long after the body has physically healed.

Ashley Hawkes, RMT

Ashley graduated from Victoria’s West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2016. Before starting massage therapy schooling, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Sport, Health and Physical Education from Vancouver Island University.

Ashley grew up in Nanoose Bay and volunteered for seven years as a fire fighter and first responder for the local fire department.

She has a passion for health care and giving back to the community. Aside from massage therapy, she loves spending time with family, being artistically creative and living a health and active lifestyle.

Ashley recently moved to Port Alberni after spending the past three years practicing in Whitehorse, Yukon. Her practice focuses on sports injuries for elite and weekend warriors athletes, injury prevention, overuse and motor vehicle accident injuries, and pre/post natal care. Prior to finding her passion in working with active patients, Ashley worked at a spa and continues to incorporate a balance of relaxation elements within her treatments. Ashley enjoys treating all conditions and working with a wide spectrum of patients. It is her goal to customize treatments to individual needs and to help patients reach their goals through rehabilitative and relaxing treatments, maintenance, and home care. Techniques she uses include but are not limited to are trigger point therapy, myofascial release and isolytic release. As a student, Ashley researched the therapeutic effects of intra-oral and extra-oral massage therapy on temporomandibular dysfunction, and is interested in treating the condition based on the positive effects massage has on relieving symptoms. Ashley is eager to broaden her knowledge through continuing education classes such as cranial sacral therapy, active release techniques, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and muscle energy techniques.

Julie Cawkell, RMT

Julie Cawkell graduated from Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy in 2020. She likes to bring her kind and assertive personality along side her developed passion

of customer service to strive beyond expectations and to find sustainable solutions.

She is passionate about staying up to date on pain science and research and how to use pain as a form of communication and teach its value if kept within manageable levels and responded to appropriately. She likes to take feedback and ask questions to help educate her clients on the assessment, the treatment plan and techniques available, progress or regression, and home care options that are realistic for the individual and their condition. She will work with you to identify your primary goals and what structures, tissue or muscle groups are affected, how the systems are interconnected and how your activities of daily life and personal experience with your pain or injury may be helping or hindering your recovery or accomplishment of your goal.

Using innovative thinking, analytical process and client engagement to create a solution with you. She genuinely is here to help you get to where you want to be with your health and wellness or get back on track after an injury or surgery. Focus is accented on renewable consent, cultural safety, client contribution and re-evaluation with referrals offered if we are not able to get the results you require.

“Where do you want to go or be and how can I help you get there? “- Julie

Flora Perrit, RMT

Flo Perritt has been a massage therapist since 2023 and holds a diploma in massage therapy from Camosun College in Victoria, BC.

Since 2023, she has worked as a care aide, a public speaker on trans & intersex wellness & inclusion, an RMT at Remedy Wellness Centre and now as an RMT at Alberni Massage Therapy.

Flo takes a particular interest in TMJ care (taking care of your jaw). In addition, she of course offers the range of treatments you can expect from your massage therapist, including familiar “Swedish” massage, myofascial release, trigger point release & joint mobilizing.

Flo has a trauma informed approach. Treatments include an efficient health discussion at the beginning and when applicable, advice for exercise or habitual pattern modifications.

Flo appreciates the diversity of people, bodies, and wellness goals. She is ready to work with you to see what approach to massage therapy will benefit you the most.

Jenn Fournier, RMT

Jenn was born and raised in the Alberni Valley. With a love for the outdoors and camping, she and her husband knew that Port Alberni is where they wanted to raise their two children.

For years, Jenn worked in and out of the beauty industry, finding a passion for the massage portion of aesthetics. After a career change working in a physiotherapy clinic as an office assistant, she knew massage therapy was what she was meant to do.

Jenn graduated in 2024 from PCCMT and she is eager to help patients on their journey to wellness & recovery.