Dena Runde, LMT
Owner/Massage Therapist
CT Licensed, Nationally Certified, Member AMTA

Dena began at Therapeutic Alternatives in 1999 as a part-time therapist and took the opportunity to purchase the business in December of 2001. She now operates Therapeutic Alternatives full-time and continues to use her massage skills to work on clients. The business has grown and now employs 12 therapists.

Dena's commitment is to keep a comfortable, clean and safe environment so clients may escape their stressful lives and begin their relaxation/healing process.

Dena's massage sessions are based on Swedish Massage and incorporate several other techniques based on each client's specific needs.

Dena has taken many continuing education classes and find strength to be in neck pain release. Both her intuitive and palpation skills have increased over time allowing her to more effectively use her skills to release those painful Trigger Points.

Jamie Gilbert, LMT

Jamie graduated from the Stillpoint program for Massage Therapy in Greenfield, MA in June 2001.  She joined Therapeutic Alternatives in August 2001. In the summer of 2001 she participated in a Sports Massage Clinic. While integrating relaxation into her massages, Jamie uses her extensive knowledge of the anatomy and muscles to provide a complete a nurturing massage.

Jamie also has a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Sciences with a concentration in Athletic Training.

Karin Kudla, LMT

Karin graduated with an Associates Degree in Myofascial/Massage Therapy from STCC in 2001. She is a member of the AMTA, a nationally certified and licensed Therapeutic Massage Therapist. Her practice provides an array of specialized techniques that include the implementation of Swedish, Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release.

Karin has participated in several postgraduate workshops and has gained significant hands on experience in a variety of settings including day spas, chiropractic offices and health care offices.

Karin's goal with Massage Therapy is to assist people in realizing how medicinal their body is and how they can make use of their body to its utmost potential. She integrates the use of the mind, body and spirit. Clients will experience great relaxation while receiving the benefit of massage.

Elizabeth Nass, LMT

Elizabeth is a 2003 graduate of CT Center for Massage Therapy in Newington, CT. She has worked at Therapeutic Alternatives since March 2004 and has been building a steady clientele ever since. In addition to her Swedish Massage training, Elizabeth has also completed a 60 hour course in Foot Reflexology. She is certified by the Pioneer Valley Reflexology Center in Greenfield, MA as a Professional in Foot Reflexology.


Leah Poisson, LMT

Leah graduated from CCMT in Newington, CT  in April of 2002.  She has been working at Therapeutic Alternatives ever since.  She is a member of the AMTA and also Nationally Certified.

She has enhanced her massage therapy training by also getting her certification in Sacred Stone Massage which she finds brings the deepest relaxation to her clients.  She incorporates different styles of massage into her sessions to create muscle relaxation and stress release to her clients.

Heather Michele Szpakowski, LMT

Heather Michele Szpakowski graduated from Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in April of 2002. Heather started work at Therapeutic Alternatives in April 2002. She has training in Swedish, relaxation, deep tissue, sports, hot stone, Reiki and pregnancy massage. She specializes in chronic pain relief.

Heather has the unique ability to tailor each massage session to her client's specific needs and requests. She uses both her intuition and palpation skills to locate problem areas in clients for more specific work.