Melissa Henige, LMT

My name is Melissa, and I'm so excited to be part of the team at Watershed Wellness!

I’m originally from a small working-class community in farm country in Michigan. I spent time living in many places throughout the world before settling here on the North Coast. I have lived here for 8 years, recently taking a hiatus to go to massage school in Hawai'i at the Maui Academy of Healing Arts. I am grateful for the community, trees, and beauty of this place.

Prior to leaving for massage school, I was working here in Astoria at the Harbor as their Health and Care Partnership Coordinator. In the last 10 years, I've also taught yoga, mindfulness practices, and have done coaching to help people to come into a more connected, less shame-oriented resonance with their bodies.

Sometime last year, I decided to seek training in massage therapy. It is a modality I've benefitted from significantly. Regular massage therapy helped me maintain relaxation and connection to my body, even when close to burn-out with my work in public health. Massage therapy was invaluable in my healing process as I grieved the loss of a relationship, even though I didn't discuss my life situation with my massage therapist.

I've also experienced great benefit in healing from injury with massage therapy. I had a fall and was not able to walk without an immense amounts of pain. Unfortunately, imaging didn't show anything obviously wrong and my primary care physician was unable to prescribe anything that provided relief. I went to a massage therapist who found dysfunction in my piriformis, and with a single session I was able to walk with more ease and less pain.

I’ve spent a good chunk of my life trying to learn ways to help lessen all kinds of suffering in myself and others.  I find myself in awe with the many ways that massage therapy can help – either on its own or in conjunction with other therapies. I sincerely hope I can share these wonderful benefits, and more, with my clients at Watershed Wellness!

The primary modalities I learned in my training are Swedish and Deep Tissue. However, I also have been exploring craniosacral therapy, Thai and Ashiastu massage, and Lomi-Lomi. Lomi-Lomi is a Hawaiian style of massage that I was taught by Maka’ala Yates, a healing elder passing down the lineage.

I treat the body as already whole. I enjoy problem solving with clients when it comes to alleviating pain and tension. And I find it important to provide a strong presence and deep care, in addition to proper techniques, in pursuing nourishment and relaxation for my clients.

Many blessings, and I look forward to working with you!

Amanda Barp, LMT

I started thinking about massage therapy as a career in 2002. I was a recent transplant to Oregon and taking a year off of school to gain residency in Oregon. As an undergraduate at Oregon State University, I started exploring the fields of Philosophy and Women's Studies. As a practical person at heart, I started wondering how the culture and the world around us affects us as embodied beings. Realizing that I'd entered into two fields that don't have much application outside of academia, I decided to see what it would be like to take some of the theory of what I was learning into practice by learning massage.

My background in Feminist Philosophy has given me a unique understanding of how we, as individuals, are affected by the outside influences of our culture, our place in the world, and how we are viewed by others.

My education has given me a nuanced understanding of how we walk through this world and the potential challenges that we might face as humans. The way we present in this world makes a difference for how we are perceived in by others, and oftentimes how we are treated by others. And that perception leaves an imprint on each of us. Regardless of how our bodies actually feel, moving through this world is a heck of a load to carry if you fall anywhere outside the status quo.

I completed my initial massage education in 2005 from Lane Community College. Shortly thereafter I moved with my partner, Eric Grey, to Portland and we started what has become Watershed Wellness. My role in Watershed Wellness is head of the massage department, head of finances, head of facilities and operations, and the one who makes sure that there are enough sheets to get us through the day.

I began my yoga practice 19 years ago when I moved from Nebraska to Oregon as a transfer student. I was delighted to find that I could take a class through Oregon State University and was lucky to have such a great experience with yoga from the beginning. This instilled in me the importance of first interactions with this practice. Fostering an environment of acceptance, understanding and non-judgment is very important to me, both in the yoga studio and as a massage therapist.

I completed the 200 hour yoga teacher training at The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center in 2015. I’ve been very lucky to have wonderful mentors who are willing to work with me as I begin this journey of teaching, most notably my teachers at The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center: Lisa Mae, Monicka, and Kate.

I continue to be amazed by the human body and how our daily movement and habits can affect how we move through our lives.

Massage therapy and yoga provide excellent outlets for understanding ourselves more deeply, while providing space in which we can strive to make sense of ourselves and our place in relation to each other and the world.

I've gotten really good at helping folks alleviate their daily aches and pains while tending to the body's response to the stress of life. I love to talk about bodies, and will probably throw in a little anatomy education whether it be in the massage room or the yoga class. It is my hope that you can feel the best you possibly can in your body so that you can do the things that you are meant to do in this world.

Education and Training:

• Bachelor of Arts: Liberal Studies focusing in Philosophy and Women's Studies, Oregon State University 2004
• Certificate of Massage Therapy, Lane Community College 2005
• 200 hour yoga teacher training, The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center 2015
• Ongoing movement and yoga education from The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center
• Ongoing continuing education for massage and bodywork

Professional Activities:

• Co-Owner, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Watershed Wellness
• Small Business Development Center – ongoing business education and mentorship

Amanda is currently in-network with most insurance companies, and also accepts MVAs, PIPs and worker's compensation claims.

To learn more about insurance billing click here.

Tia McBride, LMT

My name is Lettia ‘Tia' McBride and I'm happy to be a member of the Watershed Wellness team.

My career began in 2008 after being diagnosed with scoliosis and degenerative disc disease. In researching how to take care of this debilitating pain, I wondered if I could take care of and help others.

After completing Moscow School of Massage in Moscow, Idaho from 2008 to 2009, I opened my massage practice. I enjoyed working for myself, but felt I wasn't reaching enough people. I found my true passion while working for a busy chiropractic clinic in Pullman, Washington, as well as massaging athletes through the WSU athletic center. I worked primarily with people healing from injuries and the disfunction that can result from surgery and injury.

This medically focused massage led to classes in deep tissue, trigger point therapy, scar treatment, and post-surgical care.

Inspired by childhood memories of my grandmother surviving breast cancer, I continued my studies in 2016 learning lymphatic drainage and scar tissue treatment for those recovering from mastectomy and breast augmentation. Watching her unable to lift her arm made a lasting impression on me and I'm proud to say that I have helped many women and transgender men improve their range of motion with my work.

After 12 years of chiropractic and clinical experience, seeing my patients walk out with more function and less pain than when they walked in still gives me immense satisfaction.

I make every effort to tailor each visit to that patient’s specific needs and goals. I truly enjoy using my skills, experience and my own medical journey to help the people of the North Coast.

Born and raised in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, I have a fondness of the outdoors. When not in the clinic, you can find me out on my kayak, hiking or backpacking with my beloved dog, Tula, and enjoying all that The Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Tia is currently in-network with several insurance companies, and also accepts MVAs, PIPs and worker's compensation claims.

To learn more about insurance billing click here.