The mission of the Abundant Wellness Center is to be the center of choice for self-care, health and wellness for the city of Chicopee and the surrounding area. The Abundant Wellness Center is committed to the delivery of quality services, workshops and classes that educate, heal, transform and inspire our community and nurture the world. The staff, practitioners and associates combine their best efforts to insure all services are professionally given with respect and sensitivity to every client and friend of the Abundant Wellness Center.

What people frequently say about the Abundant Wellness Center and staff is “I love the energy here!”; “The staff here is so friendly and helpful”; “Wow, your staff is very impressive”; “You have so much great stuff to offer – Thank you for being here!”

Massage Therapists & Bodyworkers

Debee Boulanger, Director, LMT

Debee, owner and director of the Abundant Wellness Center, has been practicing massage therapy since 1996. She is a graduate of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2001, Debee became certified in Medical Massage from Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in affiliation with Hartford Hospital. Debee is continually taking workshops to advance her education in massage therapy. Some of her more recent studies include advanced Medical Massage, releasing a frozen shoulder without surgery, and working with and managing chronic pain using various massage techniques. In 2005, Debee successfully completed 100 hours of advanced Medical Massage Instruction from Robert Pecora. Early in her career, Debee realized her clients needed access to additional modalities, such as Yoga, Acupuncture or CranioSacral Therapy. With her focus on medical and therapeutic massage, she knew she couldn’t do it all. And at that time, the Greater Springfield area was limited in the variety of other therapeutic modalities. Knowing that it was not realistic to send all of her clients to Northampton, Hartford or even Boston for treatment, Debee birthed the idea of a wellness center in Chicopee. As Director of the Abundant Wellness Center, Debee takes pride in the qualifications and expertise of the other therapists, teachers and workshop facilitators working out of the Center. Debee’s commitment to excellence has paid off, with the Abundant Wellness Center having been voted Best in the Valley in both Massage and Acupuncture for 2006, 2007, & 2008 with the Valley Advocate Reader’s Poll.

Tom Campbell, LMT

Tom was trained in massage at the Amherst School of Massage Therapy. During his education, he encountered two students who were also Reiki Masters; it was then that Tom started learning about how to heal with energy as well as with massage. Once in practice, he quickly realized that he was already doing energy work intuitively, which led to him to take formal training in Reiki as well as Shamballa Healing. He combines this energy work with an eclectic mix of Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Connective Tissue massage for a treatment that is both relaxing and beneficial. Tom also offers Foot Reflexology, which can be integrated into the massage or as a stand-alone treatment. Tom’s talent and sincere interest in his client’s well being has helped him build a successful massage practice at his home office in Westfield, as well as the Abundant Wellness Center.

Rachel Ginther

Rachel Ginther has done over 10,000 private sessions, doing bodywork and energywork (Reiki, Seichim, Ama Deus, Free Energy Balancing), all over the world. She begin in Pennsylvania doing medical massage with severely injured chiropractic clients while studying many modalities of bodywork (craniosacral, deep tissue, reflexology, swedish) energywork, hypnosis and ear coning (among others). In the early 1990’s she helped found a school of energywork in PA and has extensive teaching experience working with college programs as well as the private sector. Currently Rachel has a private practice seeing clients, produces 500+ Vibrational/Flower Essences & Aromatherapy products and founded and directs a not-for-profit retreat center, The Garden at Thunder Hill ~ A Center for Spiritual Evolution. Rachel is available for private Detoxing and healing sessions here once a month. Starting in January 2010, at the Abundant Wellness Center, Rachel will open her School of Self Transformation. The School will be run according to the cycles of the year beginning with Winter as our time of Regeneration. There will be Four Modules; each Module will work with the Body, the Mind & Emotions and the Spirit within a particular theme. We will keep you informed via our monthly newsletters and website.

Lisa Holmes, LMT

(Formerly Lisa Blanchard)
Lisa has her bachelors’ of Science degree from Springfield College, in Athletic Training. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer with Altheus at Healthtrax, in West Springfield. She enjoys motivating inidividuals towards a healthier lifestyle through the body, mind, and spirit. Lisa attended Springfield Technical Community College for her certificate in Massage Therapy. She joined the Abundant Wellness Center team in August 2008 as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Lisa specializes in swedish and deep tissue therapeutic massage therapy.

Jessie McConkey

Jessie McConkey, graduated from the Connecticut Healing Institute in 2008 after 4 years of studying energy healing and qi gong. She is also certified as a Transformational Breath Practitioner by the Inner Arts Institute in Boston. Besides facilitating the Chakra Breathing workshops here, she is available for Energy Healing private sessions.

Kathi Munson, RMT

Kathi Munson is a Reiki master teacher. Kathi along with the help of the “group” of Reiki spirit guides, healers, masters and universal energy will assist you on a peaceful journey of healing, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Kathi is available by appointment Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:30 am-2:00 pm and every first and third Saturday of each month 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Kathi Munson and Darlene Mykytiuk team-up and teach others the healing art of Reiki. These Monday night Reiki classes are held on an ongoing basis. Please inquiry at the front desk as to when the next group of Reiki classes will start.

Darlene Mykytiuk, LMT

Darlene has been in the medical field for over 13 years with a life long interest in the healing arts. Drawn to Reiki therapy over 3 years ago, she is a Reiki Master /Teacher as well a Licensed Massage Therapist. Darlene also practices crystal healing, with an interest in aromatherapy and herbal healing. Darlene is available Monday evenings for massage and Reiki sessions as well as teaching Reiki classes.

Mary Hunt O’Connor, LMT

Mary is a Licensed Massage Therapist who started working at the Abundant Wellness Center in the fall of 2007.  Mary brings many skills and talents to her trade and is most noted for her incredible deep relaxation and therapeutic massage.

Jaclyn Provencher, LMT

Growing up, Jaclyn had always had an interest in the human body and how it works. In 2005, Jaclyn graduated from The American Institute of Massage Therapy in Pompano Beach, FL then decided to move back home to western Massachusetts to start her career as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Jaclyn specializes in Swedish, deep tissue, therapeutic, and hot stone massage. Jaclyn is also a Reiki master and enjoys practicing Reiki by itself or incorporating it, along with massage, into her sessions. In May 2010 Jaclyn will graduate from STCC with an associate’s degree to be a physical therapist assistant. In the future Jaclyn plans to work as a PTA and use her new set of skills to continue a successful practice here at the Abundant Wellness Center.

Terry Tangredi,  Lic. Ac.

Terry has been practicing acupuncture since 2001, and holds a Masters Degree from the New England School of Acupuncture, awarded after an intensive three-year program. This included extensive western medical science training in pathology, anatomy and physiology, and clinical training with a diverse clientele. She continues to study with senior and master acupuncturists to hone her ability to effectively treat various pain problems and chronic illness. Her goal is to provide thorough and high quality treatments at a reasonable price to her clients. Having lived with pain herself, she is committed to helping people heal with treatments that are gentle, safe, effective and free of negative side-effects. Terry is a Master Chinese Herbalist. She is dedicated to educating people about Chinese medicine, and loves creating custom herbal formulas, liniments and salves for skeletal muscular pain. Through her work, she has found Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are gentle yet powerful methods of healing and maintaining health, getting to the root of illness and pain, not just treating the symptoms. Terry considers herself a lifelong learner, an avid reader and loves the arts, good food, gardening and nature.

Diane Tellier, LMT, CST

Diane is a Reiki master and teacher of Usai, Karuna and Shambala. She has studied under many skilled masters including Brenda Edwards, Debbie Flynn and Siri Khalsa. Diane has been instructing Reiki at Holyoke Community College since 1997 and offers private instruction as well.  Diane is also a graduate of the Amherst School of Massage, and in 2002 received training in Cranial Sacral Therapy from the Upledger Institute. Additionally, Diane is a certified Hypnotherapist and studied at the Hypnodyne Foundation in 1997, the National Guild of Hypnotherapy in 1998 and continued her education with Steve Lavelle, owner of the Hypnodyne Foundation in 2000. March of 2007, Diane received her certification in Ashiatsu also referred as “barefoot massage”.  Over the past few years, Diane has been birthing on a new modality called “Full Spectrum Reiki”. She acknowledges the fact that everyone has a story and we can make the changes we need to suceed in our own health, wealth and relationships. Diane offers Massage, CranioSacral, Reiki and Hypnotherapy at the Center.

Kristen Thiel, B.A., LMT, NCTMB

Kristen studied psychology at Illinois State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997.  While serving professionally in the field of Human Service, she developed a deep interest in the connection between individuals’ mental/emotional states and physical well-being.  To pursue her growing curiosity in the mind-body connection, she continued her studies at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) where she earned her diploma in 2000.  Kristen’s post-graduate training includes several hundred hours of advanced instruction. She completed certification in Medical Massage through CCMT and Hartford Hospital in 2001, gaining hospital-based experience working in orthopedics, cardiology, and oncology. Following certification, she continued to provide massage in the hospital setting, gaining further experience with patients on post-surgical, intensive care, and delivery/postpartum units. In 2004, Kristen completed certification as a Baby’s First Massage instructor and began teaching parents how to safely massage their newborns. She has also completed training in pregnancy massage, chair massage technique, Reiki, and hot stone application.  Kristen is currently a Licensed Massage Therapist in Connecticut and Massachusetts. She is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and maintains professional active status with the American Massage Therapy Association.  At the Abundant Wellness Center, Kristen is available to provide Medical and Therapeutic, Swedish, Pregnancy, Hot Stone, and Chair massage. She also offers newborn massage instruction to parents and caregivers.

J. Vaughn, LMT, RYT

J. Joined our team in November 2008, moving from his previous location on Grattan Street. The idea of being part of such a great team in such a great space is what drew him in. He is a graduate of a 900-hour Massage Therapy program and has taken advanced studies with Deane Juhan and Ben Benjamin. J. specializes in Deep Tissue, Pain Management and Site Specific Massage Therapy. He also provides massage as part of the UMass Minutemen Sports Medicine Team. “Clients often say that it’s fairly obvious that I love what I do and I’m pleased to practice my craft in order to help others.” J. has been practicing yoga for more than five years and has completed a 200-hr RYT program at Mama Nirvana’s New Yoga. J. also teaches yoga here at Abundant Wellness on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.

Douglas Wilk

Douglas began his career in health care as a pharmacist. The former valedictorian became disillusioned with his choice of profession, however, when he began to realize that traditional care alone wasn’t helping some of his customers at the pharmacy. Rather than getting well, their drugs often suppressed or masked their symptoms, instead of treating the underlying problem.  This realization led Douglas to leave pharmacology and pursue complimentary healing techniques designed to get results, rather than smooth over problems. Quickly discovering that what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for everyone, Douglas has made it his mission to explore different alternative therapies, studying various energy-based therapies such as E.F.T., Seemorg, Body Talk, and Quantum Touch. He is on a continual quest of knowledge for healing and wellness.  Aside of private appointments, Douglas facilitates the Quantum Touch 2-day workshops here at the Center.

Class Instructors

Carol Clark, Facilitator of J*E*L*L*O

Carol has worked at the Abundant Wellness Center for the past 5 years and she is very committed to learning and sharing in the benefits of “wellness”. Her passion is a new venture that she’s created known as “J*E*L*L*O” , “just enough love & light to overcome”, a women’s weight loss support group. This is a unique group whose focus is on healthy weight loss, education and improved wellness. The approach is from the “total you” perspective; Mind, Body & Spirit. Starting in January 2010, the meetings will be conducted weekly at the Abundant Wellness Center.

Makani Freitas

For over a decade, Makani trained in hard style martial arts, and studied various styles of QiGong and Tai Chi. More than 5 years ago Makani added yoga to his repertoire of movement practices. He’s taught adult and youth martial arts and self-defense, as well as QiGong and Tai Chi in many venues including co-teaching with one of his teachers at the Kripalu Center in Lenox. Makani is a Certified Therapeutic QiGong Instructor, Jian Mei Internal Martial Arts Instructor and Beginner Salsa Instructor.

Claudia Johnsen, RYT

Claudia Johnsen, RYT200, is a 2007 graduate of Mama Nirvana’s Teacher Training Program, certified hatha yoga instructor, and devoted yoga student. Claudia’s energetic spirit and passion for yoga are revealed in her detailed instructions and joyful, focused approach to classes. Claudia leads students through yoga breathing, meditation, and yoga postures, ending each class with deep relaxation so that students fell restored and invigorated.

Wanda Koch

Wanda Koch, known professionally as Cynarra, began Belly Dancing in the mid-seventies. She is a longtime member of the Crescent Dancers, the Pioneer Valley’s premier Middle Eastern Dance Troupe, and has performed in numerous public and private venues all around New England. Wanda has also been teaching for many years. Aside from the Abundant Wellness Center, she has taught at the Easthampton Community Center, the Lady Maidana Studios, Pathfinder Regional Vocational School in Palmer, MA, Holyoke Community College and the Hackworth School of Performing Arts in Easthampton, MA. She has studied with many national and internationally known masters, and still performs regularly for all kinds of occasions, sharing the joy of belly dance and inspiring others to learn.

Heather Camille Nolan, RYT

Heather began her personal yoga practice as a way to prepare for stage performance and to relax after her days teaching public high school. Over the last decade, she found the benefits of yoga to be so far-reaching that she began incorporating the postures in her classroom, noting that there is nothing more beautiful than twenty unruly adolescents silently balancing in tree pose! Certified through YogaFit, Heather offers a gentle and accessible Hatha yoga practice, which builds strength and flexibility while creating a sense of balance among the body, mind and soul.

Val Sweeney, RYT

Val has been working in the fitness industry for over 10 years as a group exercise instructor and personal fitness trainer. Her passion for Pilates led her to begin studying at the Pilates Certification Center of Connecticut over 2 years ago, and now she is a Level One STOTT Pilates trainer. STOTT Pilates, the premier Pilates method in both the US and Canada, focuses on precision, technique and quality of movement, so students can achieve their goals regardless of age or fitness level. In addition to Pilates, Val is also fully accredited as an instructor in yoga, kickboxing, group cycling, body training and water fitness. She is certified in group exercise and personal training, and is also certified by the Arthritis Foundation as an Aquatic Program Leader.  Her great sense of humor and special attention to her students at the Center makes Val’s Pilates classes a success.

Readers & Intuitives

Danielle Batchelder

Danielle Batchelder is a Lightworker Psychic Medium who engages in combination Angel/Tarot/Medium Readings to fulfill healing functions for her client. Danielle’s skills are a blended combination of clairvoyance, trance, telepathy, mediumistic abilities, and psychometry. Using these combined abilities allows her to see, hear, feel, and know the source of her client’s emotional or physical distress and needs. Danielle combines angel therapy, crystals therapy, Garden of One energy mysts, intention candles, and intention stones in her readings. She will give insight into your journey and help cleanse past karmic ties. Danielle has a unique combination of Divine given gifts and uses them for the optimal highest good. Danielle has aided in law enforcement cases and continues her journey as a Lightworker here through the Abundant Wellness Center. Danielle works at the Abundant Wellness Center every 2nd & 4th Wednesday from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Kathi Munson, RMT

Kathi Munson was trained and mentored by nationally renowned psychic, medium, radio personality Gary McKinstry, a gifted psychic, medium and crystal healer. Kathi reads both tarot cards and angel cards. With every reading, she works with her angels and spirit guides to help provide clarity of clouded thoughts and troubled emotions, by offering a reflection of your past, present and possible future. Her readings will give you a fresh perspective on your life. Kathi can also connect with the spirits of your past loved ones, human or other. Kathi works at the Abundant Wellness Center with availability for private, group, or phone readings by appointment every Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:30am to 2:00pm, as well as every first and third Saturday of the month from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Skye Belle Przystas

Skye Belle Przystas lifelong focus is a deep understanding and connection to people and the world around her. Besides being a Reiki Master and Minister, Skye has completed and does on-going work with Bryan DeFlores, as well as an Angel Therapy Practitioner with world renowned Doreen Virtue. This training only compliments Skye’s already unique techniques, tools and styles of assisting her clients to clear out outdated belief patterns, opening their lives and perspective to new ways of self knowledge, and self empowerment as a Spiritual Growth Mentor. Skye facilitates group sessions, ministry, healings, readings, classes and workshops and provides you with tips and ideas for changing your attitudes and outlooks to reveal & radiate your own inner light thru direction from Angels, Archangels, Divine Masters and Spirit Guides.