Faculty and Staff

Donda Sternberg

Owner/School Director
Ms. Sternberg is the Owner and Director of the Gentle Healing School of Massage and Owner of Gentle Healing Wellness Spa. She is a State Certified Massage Therapist with over 20 years of experience. Donda believes in a holistic approach to life teaching her students that learning massage is more than a career, its a lifestyle. Donda has studied many advanced modalities over the past 20 years. She graduated from New York Seminary with a degree in Spiritual Counseling and has Master/Teacher level in Reiki. She is also a graduate from Carolyn Myss CMED Institute and has a background in Gestalt and Jungian Therapy. Donda created and has been running the Gentle Healing School of Massage since 1996.

Peter Tulley

Assistant School Director/Financial Director/Instructor
Mr. Tulley is a State Certified Massage Therapist. He attended Gentle Healing School of Massage in 2004. He is an experienced Corporate Trainer, with over 13 years of instruction in Adult Learning Education. Peter's skills include Motivational Training, Behavior Modification, Project Coordination and Training Design. Peter has been an integral part of Gentle Healing since 2004.

Shelia Murray

Director of Education/Primary Instructor, Polarity and Aromatherapy Instructor
Shelia holds an Associate's degree in Science with 15 years experience in the medical field prior to attending massage school in upstate NY. She is a licensed massage therapist in New York, Nationally certified and certified in the state of New Jersey. Shelia has completed advanced training in the clinical use of essential oils, both here in the States and in Provence, France, and is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist. She has a private practice in New Hope, Pennsylvania where her primary focus is on integrative massage & energy techniques along with aromatherapy. She hosts & teaches at healing retreats in upstate New York, and offers introductory courses in Therapeutic Uses of Essential Oils. She loves to travel, spend time with her family, and educate people about alternative ways of approaching wellness.

Lisa Clonan

Primary Instructor
Lisa Clonan is the owner of A Return to Wellness, LLC; a massage therapy and holistic health practice located in Princeton, NJ. She is Nationally Certified in Massage and Bodywork. In addition to her private practice, she is on staff at the Massage Department of Princeton University. Lisa is also certified as a Qi Therapist by the Chinese Healing Arts Center and holds a B.S. from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Stephanie Huth Lipnicki, LAc

Primary Instructor
www.naturalalt.com
Stephanie is the owner of Natural Alternatives Center for Wellness in Allentown, NJ. She has been practicing Massage Therapy since 1991 and is Nationally Certified in Massage and Bodywork. She holds a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University as well as a B.S. in Professional Studies and Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She additionally holds her Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Laura Richardson

Primary Instructor
Laura Richardson received her Doctorate of Naturopathy from Clayton College of Natural Health in 2011, where she has also received a Natural Wellness Certificate.  She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1990, her Masters of Education Degree in 1991 and became a certified Massage Therapist in 2005.

Ed Fernandez, MSW

Counselor/Addiction Workshop Instructor
www.breathoflifecounseling.com
Mr. Fernandez has been an independent Clinical Contractor for The Gabrielsen Group since 2003. He received his Masters Degree in Social Work from NYU. He has been an instructor at Gentle Healing since 2003 and also offers guidance and support counseling through Breath of life Counseling Services.

Jeannie Francis, MSW

Reflexology Instructor and Reiki Instructor
www.spirittosoleconnection.com
Jeannie is the owner of Spirit to Sole Connection and has been a Certified Reflexologist and Reflexology Instructor since 1972. She and her mother studied at the International Institute of Reflexology, under Eunice Ingham. Jeannie is also a Reiki Master, Master Gardener and Master Herbalist. Her philosophy is that, she believes in working with the body as a whole, not treating it as a part. Jeannie also holds an A.S. in Communications and a B.S. in Psychology

Rose J. Griscom

Thai Massage Instructor
Rose is the director and lead instructor at ITM-USA. She has been practicing and teaching Thai Massage since 1994, when she completed an intensive study program with the Thai Master Chongkol Setthakorn at ITM in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as well as with Arthur Lambert in the USA. She is certified in Advanced Thai Massage and Teacher Training by ITM in Chiang Mai and the USA. She spent over three years assisting the late Arthur Lambert teach basic and advanced Thai Massage and has been teaching workshops independently since 1994. Rose continues to travel around the country to train Thai therapists at top spas and massage schools.

Debbie Overholt

5 Elements / Shiatsu Instructor
Ms. Overholt has been a partner at Acu-Health Center, Mount Laurel, NJ since 1998. She is also a Certified Instructor, National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Debbie is also a NJ Governor Appointed Board Member for New Jersey Examining Committee for Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy. She has been an instructor at Gentle Healing since 2003.

Betty Post

Trager Instructor
Ms. Post received her training from the Trager Institute in California and has been in private practice in therapeutic bodywork since 1994. She has also been a member of the Board of Mid-Atlantic Trager Association since 1991. Betty has been an instructor at Gentle Healing since 2001.

Kenny Shinn

Thai and CranioSacral Instructor
Mr. Shinn has been the owner of Heart and Soul Holistic Center, South Belmar, since 1999. He is certified in Therapeutic Massage, Thai Massage, Levels 1,2,3 and Instructor, and CranioSacral Therapy from the Upledger Institute, Levels 1 and 2. He has been an instructor at Gentle Healing since 2001.