Our Team
I have always been intrigued by the human body, being actively involved in exercise and health science. I am originally from London Ontario, where I earned a Bachelor of Health Sciences Degree at Western University. I continued my studies in Ottawa at Everest College’s Registered Massage Therapy Program, and I have been a practicing RMT since 2013.
As a therapist, I am perceptive, sensitive, empathetic, and compassionate. I truly believe in treating the body as a whole. My passion for health and for learning has led me to a career in osteopathy. I have completed the Diploma of Osteopathic Manual Practice (D.O.M.P.) and the Diploma in the Science of Osteopathy, (D.Sc.O.) at the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Toronto in 2018. I successfully defended my thesis entitled “The Effects of Normalization of the Digestive Ducts on the Lumbar Spine Range of Motion” (http://www.foundersdayweekend.ca/Thesis/), for which I received the William Garner Sutherland Thesis Award for Excellence in Clinical Research. In 2016, I graduated as Class Valedictorian, having received the Certificate of Completion of Five Years in Osteopathy (Theory, Practical, Clinical and Methodology) at the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Toronto. I have taken several post-graduate courses, which gives me more tools to treat concussions and chronic pain.
I am a sports fan, and I have played baseball, hockey, and football both competitively and recreationally. I have worked as a therapist at the Ottawa Senator’s development camp yearly for the last seven years. Using both massage and osteopathy, I specialize in the following manual therapy techniques: Myofascial Release, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, and Scar Tissue Release. I treat newborns to elderly, from regular maintenance of good health to treatment of health issues such as pregnancy discomfort, injuries, frozen shoulder, sciatica, migraines, concussions, back pain, neck pain, arthritis, and chronic pain.
Blair’s certifications
Diploma of Osteopathic Manual Practice, DOMP (2018)
Diploma in the Science of Osteopathy, DScO (2018)
William Garner Sutherland Thesis Award for Excellence in Clinical Research (2018)
Encephalon Dynamics and Endocranial Spasms Stage I (2017)
Certificate of 5 Year Completion in Osteopathy (Theory, Practical, Clinical and Methodology)(2016)
Registered Massage Therapist, RMT (2013)
Bachelor of Health Science, BHSc (2010)
Cody Cummings
D.O.M.P.
Cody’s main goal as a therapist is to use movement as a tool to help people become more aligned with their ‘self’. “My study in movement began as a passion for snowboarding, then teaching snowboarding. Learning about how to move the body to be a more efficient snowboarder along with stretching to prevent injury lead me to a massage therapy program. That intensive RMT program brought me to the yoga mat as a form of self-care, and eventual yoga-teacher certification. Following a car accident, I found myself in the hands of an osteopath from Ireland, I knew right away that osteopathy was how I wanted to work with people and this is what I am meant to be doing. Est voila” -Cody
After being in BC for the last 20 years Cody is now growing his practice in the Ottawa region. Cody is a manual therapist, having membership wth the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners allowing him to work in ON using osteopathy under the title Diploma of Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (D.O.M.P.). Cody is not a Physician, and is not a medical doctor.
2017- Cody obtained a Diploma in the Art & Science of Osteopathy (D.Sc.O) from the Canadian School of Osteopathic Manual Practice- Vancouver (CSO). His thesis research was titled "Osteopathy and The Adult Thymus Gland; A Qualitative Study".
2012- Cody received a diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice (D.O.M.P.), having completed a 5-year part-time program at the CSO.
2006- Cody completed a 200-hr yoga teacher training certification.
2003- Cody completed a 3000-hr RMT diploma program, graduating from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in NewWestminster BC and became a RMT.
1993- Level II snowboard instructor (CASSI)
Shelley Schroeder
RMT
Shelley has been an RMT for over 15 years, in that time she has developed a passion for working with children. Her practice focuses on the treatment of issues for infants, toddlers, school aged children and teens. She has sucessfully helped children with post concusssion syndrome, gastro-intestinal issues, torticollis, and reflux. As a parent of a child on the austism spectrum she can relate to exceptional children and their parents, because she has lived a lot of the same experiences.
She regularly collaborates on treatment plans with other professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and paediatricians. If you want to know more about Shelley and her practice you can find lots of info at www.shelleyschroederrmt.com.
Valentina Ignatenko
RMT
I have been in practice as a Registered Massage Therapist since graduating from the Wellspring College of Massage Therapy (Toronto) in 2011.
My nurturing personality is what attracted me to this profession. I am genuinely grateful to be doing something that makes me feel so fulfilled and allows me to have a positive impact on my clients. I am passionate about my own health and wellness journey and believe my greatest teachers are the people that come into my treatment room daily. Whether you enjoy a massage for its therapeutic benefits (targeting chronic areas of discomfort, injury, or rehabilitation) or simply enjoy the time for relaxation and stress relief, I look forward to helping you meet those goals.
Some of the elements I enjoy in treatments are: deep tissue work, relaxation, stretching techniques, and trigger point therapy. I have years of experience treating clients post-surgery, injury, or accident. As well as, prenatal and postpartum therapy, throughout cancer treatments, and general wear and tear of the body.
Massage is the most natural form of therapy. It creates an awareness of the care and attention your body needs and deserves, which is what I strive to share through my personal touch. I feel comforted knowing that I am able to create an environment that facilitates this for my clients and allows them to prioritize their health and well-being throughout all of life's ups and downs. I look forward to seeing each of you soon.
Shannon Matuska
RMT
With a background in dance and acrobatics, Shannon has always had an interest in the movements of the human body. She pursued her schooling in massage therapy and received her advanced diploma from Algonquin College in 2018. She obtained her certificate of registration in 2019 from the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and has been practicing since.
During her time at Algonquin, Shannon was able to work with various musculoskeletal conditions and age groups from children to elderly. Some of these conditions included surgical scarring, inflammation/swelling, sports injury, and much more. With expertise in movement patterns and postural imbalances, Shannon is passionate about helping her clients correct these concerns to aid in a pain-free daily life.
Shannon’s goal is to provide a thorough massage treatment—combining her knowledge from school and dance—to have her clients feeling their best
Jennifer Plummer
R.Ac, Certified Aromatherapist
Jennifer had worked in health care for over 25 years as a long-term care personal support worker and an activities programmer. Both roles have taught her compassion and sensitivity in helping those with chronic pain, acute pain, mental and cognitive health issues.
Seeing how medication has been used to treat different ailments, and the side effects caused by them, Jennifer began researching more natural ways to heal the body, leading her to her current profession as a Registered Acupuncturist, Certified Aromatherapist and Reiki Practitioner.
She graduated with honours from the International Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2012 and the West Coat Institute of Aromatherapy in 2012. She is a believer of the healing power of acupuncture, and aromatherapy, and knows that clients will benefit from the holistic, personal, gentle, and caring approach that the treatments provide.
Some of the common conditions that Jennifer excels at treating include pain management, women's and men's health, digestive issues and preventative health approaches.
Leigh Berry
RHN, RSW, MSW.
"The more we give our inner voice a platform to be our guide, the more we generate feelings of inner worth and trust that we are enough." ~ Leigh
Pause. Feel. Tune in. Welcome the triggers and feel into alignment with your true self. Your heart knows the way. I strongly believe that when we can go inward and create space to know and turn towards our true self, that this provides the ultimate platform for healing to take place. In my work with each client, I strive to provide a safe space that fosters this intuitive ability for growth and healing. One that brings you closer to your authentic self. At the same time, I hold high regard for the energetic presence that I bring to each session. This involves an empathic, trauma-informed and non-judgemental approach that is accepting and genuine with each client.
Currently my biggest teachers are both under 5. I am a Mom to two little souls, Brynn + Maive. I love chai lattes, avocado toast and cozy sweaters. I love honest and genuine conversations (even when they are uncomfortable), and I love discovering new foods and flavours. When I am not working or spending time with my family, you will find me out in nature, on my bike, doing yoga, attending my weekly dance class or turning inward with a meditation, writing, or a good book.
This journey is particularly for those who feel at the whim of their emotions~ disconnected, lost, alone, anxious, overwhelmed, uncertain, sad or depressed, and stressed. There are often experiences of self-doubt, self-criticism, and a strong desire to feel better, to feel good enough. Patterns of using food (perhaps unknowingly) to cope and feel better may also exist.
I provide counselling to adults (age 18 and over), and female youth (age 16-18) wanting to address difficulties related, but not limited to:
Life Transitions
Motherhood, parenting
Relationship to Self (self-esteem, self-worth)
Interpersonal Relationships (partners, children, family members, colleagues ect.)
Mood & Anxiety
Stress
Emotional Eating
Health & Nutrition
It is important to highlight that I do not work with any clients who are seeking treatment for a diagnosed eating disorder. This is not to say that if a client has an eating disorder history, or experiences a preoccupation with food and body, or disordered eating symptoms that we cannot work together. It means that I do not provide therapy specific to eating disorder treatment. I am available to discuss any questions or concerns in this regard during a client consultation.
I am a client-centred therapist. I see each client as the expert of their own experiences, and honour the strengths that each client carries within them. I work with conscious intention to see and hear you where you are today as we move collaboratively through therapy and draw from various therapeutic approaches.
I uniquely offer holistic nutrition services alongside use of best-practice modalities, including acceptance and commitment (ACT), solution-focused (SFT), emotion-focused (EFT), cognitive-behavioural (CBT), dialectical-behavioural (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and mindful emotional eating (MEE) therapies. I believe that it is important to understand what is at the root of our problems, and I integrate nutrition to support and enhance biological, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. Through this complimentary approach, I aim to guide clients home to themselves, to feel a greater sense of inner connection and alignment, and to live from a place of ease, confidence, and trust.
If you have landed here you are taking steps to love yourself boldly and find what feels good. To learn more about my approach when it comes to holistic nutrition read this post: Rigidity Around Food
I welcome you to connect with me to book a free consultation to find out if working together is the right fit for you, or to book your initial session. I welcome you to learn more about me and the work that I do here: leighberryco.com. As well as gain access to my free offerings and information about any upcoming events!
Leigh’s certifications
Holistic Nutritionist, RHN. Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (2016)
Registered Social Worker, RSW. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) (2010)
Master of Social Work, MSW. The University of Toronto (2010
Bachelor of Social Sciences B.Soc.Sc. Criminology, Psychology, University of Ottawa (2007)
