Meet Our Educators
At StrongHouse Studio, we bring together experienced, expert-led instructors dedicated to advancing the massage therapy and bodywork profession. Our educators specialize in hands-on techniques, practice-building strategies, ethics, and advanced therapeutic modalities, offering NCBTMB-approved continuing education courses designed for professional growth and license renewal.
With backgrounds in massage therapy, East Asian medicine, movement therapies, and business development, our instructors provide practical education that empowers practitioners to refine their skills and elevate their practice. Whether you're looking to expand your technique, deepen your knowledge, or build a thriving business, StrongHouse Studio’s educators are here to guide you.
Explore our instructors’ bios below and discover the expertise that makes StrongHouse Studio a leader in massage therapy continuing education.
Scott Raymond LMT, BCTMB
(Click Here To schedule appointment)
CT License #1882
Founder | Educator
Scott Raymond, LMT, BCTMB, is a massage therapist, educator, mentor, and professional advocate whose career brings together skilled bodywork, practical education, and community service. Licensed since 1998, he is the founder of StrongHouse Continuing Education and StrongHouse Studio in Southington, Connecticut, where he helps massage therapists strengthen their skills, confidence, and professional connections.
A graduate of the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) in Newington, Scott blends Thai, Swedish, and orthopedic massage approaches to support comfort, efficient movement, and sustainable function. His work reflects a belief that the human body is a remarkable instrument deserving of thoughtful, individualized care. He brings an appreciation for anatomy, movement, and the interconnected nature of the body to both his practice and his classroom. Education has been central to Scott’s career. Beginning as a tutor for entry-level massage students, he went on to teach palpation, kinesiology, and Connecticut licensure-exam preparation at CCMT for more than a decade.
His teaching experience includes all three CCMT campuses, the American Institute, The Paul Mitchell School, and continuing education for professional organizations and conference audiences. He is also a founding member of The World Skin Project, a (501) (c)(3) non-profit, teaching massage therapists how to recognize skin cancer while staying within their scope of practice.
Scott founded StrongHouse Continuing Education in 2017 to provide practical, evidence-informed education that therapists can apply in their everyday work. As an NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider, he combines foundational knowledge with hands-on practice, discussion, and real-world application. His courses explore bodywork techniques, functional anatomy, ethical decision-making, and professional sustainability. His educational philosophy is straightforward: continuing education should do more than count toward hours—it should count in practice.
Scott teaches continuing education across the country. His teaching experience spans the country and has presented at multiple AMTA’s National Conventions. He creates online continuing education content for Massage Envy and was published in Massage Therapy Journal in 2022 on temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD).
Scott’s commitment to massage therapy extends beyond the classroom. Within the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), he served as a Connecticut Chapter board member, President, Immediate Past President, and Government Relations Chair. His national service includes the AMTA National Board of Directors, the National Governance Committee, and other committee and delegate responsibilities.
His advocacy has included legislative testimony addressing professional standards, public protection, and unlicensed businesses claiming to provide massage. He has worked with public officials and the Polaris Project to support efforts against exploitation and human trafficking. He also serves as chair of the Massage Therapy Foundation’s Community Service Award Proposal Review Committee.
Scott’s service has earned chapter and national recognition, including the AMTA Connecticut Chapter Meritorious Award in 2012, national government relations recognition in 2013, and the AMTA National Meritorious Award in 2016. In 2025, StrongHouse Studio, represented by Scott and Melissa Martinie, received the Connecticut Chapter Distinguished Service Award.
A diagnosis of transverse myelitis in 2017 reshaped Scott’s life and professional direction, deepening his focus on education, mentorship, and community building. The support he received from fellow massage professionals helped inspire StrongHouse Studio as a welcoming place for learning and connection.
Today, Scott continues to practice, teach, and advocate, helping therapists build confident, ethical, and resilient practices. His work is grounded in two enduring beliefs: strong educational foundations support vibrant massage practices...
and we are stronger together.⭕
Melissa Martinie LMT
DC License 1719
Strategic Advisor | Educator
Melissa Martinie’s journey into massage therapy was built on a strong foundation in social work. With a bachelor’s degree in social work and experience as a crisis counselor and caseworker, she developed a deep understanding of human connection and care. In 1997, she expanded her expertise by earning her Certificate in Therapeutic Massage from Phoenix Therapeutic Massage College (PTMC).
Her career has taken her across the country—from six years in Phoenix to ten years in Sacramento, and since 2012, she has been practicing in Washington, DC. Along the way, Melissa has continuously evolved her practice, integrating technology and business strategies to sustain long-term success.
Melissa’s membership in the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) began in 2003, providing her with opportunities to engage with members on local, state, and national levels. This experience not only strengthened her professional network but also introduced her to digital platforms that would later become key to her business growth.
In 2013, she made a deliberate and strategic shift in her business approach with the guidance of Her Corner, a women-owned business development program. She embraced new tools—including online booking (FullSlate), social media (Yelp, Facebook), email marketing (MailChimp), and digital productivity systems—to create an efficient, thriving practice. Within a year, she reached the point where she was “as busy as she wants to be.”
Through seasonal shifts and even global disruptions, Melissa has leveraged smart business strategies to maintain stability and growth. Most recently, she has expanded her reach by affiliating with ClinicSense and collaborating with Healing Arts Business Academy, building a larger network to help massage therapists not just sustain, but thrive.
As a strategic advisor and educator, Melissa continues to share her expertise, empowering massage therapists to navigate the evolving landscape of business, technology, and professional success.
Becca Torns-Barker, MEd, LMT, BCTMB
(click to schedule appointment)
CT License #4111
Educator
Becca Torns-Barker has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2005, specializing in perinatal massage and abdominal massage for digestive and reproductive health. Her approach is rooted in both hands-on expertise and a passion for education, ensuring that her clients and students alike receive the highest level of care and knowledge.
A lifelong learner, Becca holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from UConn and a Master’s in Education from the American College of Education, with a focus on Adult Education. Her background in teaching and curriculum development allows her to bring a structured, engaging approach to massage education. She is also an active member and volunteer with the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), contributing to the growth and advancement of the profession.
In addition to teaching in an associate degree massage program, Becca is a health coach and color guard instructor, blending movement, wellness, and education in all aspects of her work. She is also a SCUBA divemaster and an active volunteer in her local community.
Becca’s diverse background and commitment to lifelong learning make her a dynamic educator and practitioner, dedicated to supporting both her students and clients in reaching their fullest potential.
Mark R. Parzynski, DAOM, Dipl. Ac., LAc.
(click to schedule an appointment)
CT Acupuncture License
Educator
Mark Parzynski is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) with expertise in non-needling modalities, orthopedic acupuncture, and classical East Asian medicine. His teaching and clinical work focus on integrating gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, and teishin with modern biomedical applications.
Mark earned his Doctorate and Master’s degrees from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM), where his research explored the mechanisms and clinical applications of East Asian manual therapies. He has pursued advanced training in Japanese Meridian Therapy, studying in Japan and with renowned practitioners.
A dedicated educator and clinical supervisor, Mark spent a decade teaching at OCOM, developing curriculum and mentoring Master’s and Doctoral students. He has also worked in community acupuncture research, contributing to a Kaiser grant studying acupuncture’s role in reducing emergency room visits for at-risk populations.
As the founder of AcuArtistry, he designs and crafts traditional acupuncture tools for non-insertion techniques, and is dedicated to refining the art and practice of teishin and gua sha.
In 2024, Mark joined StrongHouse Studio, bringing his expertise in classical acupuncture techniques and non-needling therapies to continuing education programs for Massage Therapists. He is passionate about bridging classical East Asian medicine with modern massage therapy, offering hands-on, research-backed education to practitioners seeking to expand their skills.