My friend, Mila, commented on the last blog and asked a very valid question. I said I would write my next blog in response and this is it. The question was, “Is there a site out there that talks about good therapists etc and rates them, like with doctors and teachers?” In other words, how do you find a good therapist. This is a great question and one that I know most people think about, though most don’t ask. I hope this can demystify the process for people and answer a lot of questions on people’s minds.

It is pertinent because it seems like finding the perfect therapist is a major challenge, whether you are looking for a therapist in the city where you live or while you’re vacationing somewhere. I’m going to give my best tips on how and where to find your perfect massage therapist while you’re in Jackson Hole, or wherever you may be.

My first and best tip: find me! (ok, huge open window…couldn’t resist the gratuitous plug;) )

The greatest asset we have, in this respect and all others, is our intuition. Key in to it; listen to it. It is your greatest compass to what is right for you. I know what you’re saying….”I don’t know how to listen to my intuition. How do I know what it’s telling me? How do I use it? You’re full of crap!”

This is how it can be applied to finding your therapist….google massage therapist jackson hole or insert wherever you may be. Then look down a page or two or three of the places listed. Feel into each name or place and see what resonates with you. If something strikes you check out the website. If that also resonates with you, chances are you have a hit. Checking out websites is a great way to get an idea and a “feel” for what this person or place is about. You don’t have to analyse or think too hard on it….you pick up on the energy of the name and/or site and you intuitively pick up information about it. Now, the energetics of it is a whole other post and probably those of you who thought I was full of crap earlier are reiterating past statement. Just trust me. Trust is a huge part of utilising intuition. So, don’t be so judgmental or hard on yourself. If you go with the flow things will happen as they should. Hmm, seem to have jumped on the Buddhist soapbox for a second there…well, upward and onward.

Another great way to get clued into the who’s who and what’s what of bodywork in any particular area is to ask a local who knows. If you’re visiting or staying with someone who lives there ask them who they prefer, or if they have heard of anyone really good. Another tip I give clients who ask me this question is to go to or call the local health food store and ask for recommendations. Usually places like these are in the know, as they are in cahoots with the therapists. ***hint – therapists usually love places like these and often times hang out there, so you may have the good fortune of meeting one if you go to the health food store yourself. This is the best use of your intuition, as you get the energy directly from the source. You will probably know if you like the therapist straight away or not.*** You can also just randomly ask people that you encounter on your adventures and most people love to talk about their therapist so you might be in for some great detail and information.

As a side note, I tend to stay away from phone books. For some reason I have never liked to find personal stuff like massage therapists from the phone book.

You can also find therapists by city or area if you go to massage membership sites like the AMTA or NCBTMB website. They have ‘find a therapist’ sections where you can type in a city and therapists who are members of these organizations will come up. This can be useful and may give some credibility to the therapist…..but not always. Again….use your intuition.

Now, this leads me to some important things of which to be aware. Every state has different rules and laws governing the practice of massage therapy. Even cities and towns can have their own rules and laws that dictate how massage is practiced in their boundaries. While you’re on vacation, I’d be willing to bet, the last thing you’re going to do is look up the licensure in the place you’re visiting. I don’t blame you, chances are I wouldn’t either….and this is my thang! 😉 This is why I will always look for a Nationally Certified massage therapist if I’m unfamiliar with the massage laws in the place that I am looking. This is your best protection if you don’t want to go through the hassle; it’s a good kind of catch all and your best protection in finding, at the very least, a professional and knowledgeable therapist. A perfect example is right here in Jackson. Wyoming has so licensure for massage. What this means is that any joe shmoe off the street can LEGALLY claim to be a massage therapist and practice massage. That does not sit well with me, so I like to err on the side of caution. I have actually seen people claim to be massage therapists and charge people for massage without ever having gone to massage school. I’m sure it happens all the time. So, if you don’t know now you know – national.

It is also interesting to note that therapists who are nationally certified and/or belong to massage therapist membership organizations are bound by their codes of ethics. This will also help to ensure ethical and professional standards.

So, hopefully this is the yellow brick road all can follow to bodywork bliss and shed some light on how to connect with that perfect therapist. Until I create my “Stevie’s List” of therapists (you know….like Angie’s List?) this is the best advice I can give. Please leave comments and ideas, if you have any to add, below.

Experiment, do your own research, and above all never take anything anyone says at face value. Always research. Use what resonates with you. This is how we find our own truth.