Faculty and Staff

Our faculty and staff members are the heart and soul of this school. Their dedication to the process of training massage therapy professionals shines through everything they do.

FACULTY. Each instructor embodies the BTI core philosophy and educational model, and shares that with students in his or her own unique way. As they are all specialists in the areas they teach, they bring their years of clinical experience, academic training and professional credentials to the classroom environment.

BTI’s lead instructors have completed one of the most extensive teacher training processes in the massage profession. This includes our nationally-renowned Spirit of Learning® Teacher Certification Program, as well as a 2-3 year teaching assistantship in our classroom.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF. BTI’s highly qualified staff members handle the myriad tasks of keeping this school and its students on track. The whole-person model that is the hallmark of our educational programs is also embraced and expressed on the business side of BTI — as staff members support the students, the faculty, and the institution itself.

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM. Ongoing responsibility for policy making, strategic planning and key decision making for the school is handled by the Co-directors, Rick Rosen and Carey Smith.

These biographical listings are in alphabetical order. You’ll note that a number of our staff work in both the instructional and administrative aspects of the school.

Abbreviations used here: NC LMBT stands for North Carolina Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist; ABMP is Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals; AMTA is the American Massage Therapy Association.

	SUSAN BOYD Susan is an Administrative Assistant. She has an associate's degree in nursing, is a registered nurse with many years of experience in clinical care, a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association, and a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner. She is a BTI graduate, NC LMBT (#7510) and ABMP member; private practice in Siler City, NC.
	THERESA M. BROWN Theresa is a Lead Instructor for Massage Therapy I & II, and Supervisor for the Community Service Externship Project. She has a bachelor's degree in English and theatre from Fontbonne University (St. Louis), is a BTI graduate, NC LMBT (#9681), and AMTA member. Former career in theatre arts; private practice in Durham, NC.
	LISA CHICKOS Lisa is a Lead instructor for Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology & Pathology, and works on the staff side as Accreditation Coordinator. She has a master's degree in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University (Boston) and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Notre Dame. She is a BTI graduate, NC LMBT (#10678) and ABMP member. Former career in the area of non-profit fundraising and charitable giving.
	JULIA CORLEY Julia is a Lead instructor for Somatic Psychology and Therapeutic Communication. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a Certified Hakomi Therapist and teacher for the Hakomi Institute. Graduate of the New Life Institute of Massage Excellence (Atlanta), NC LMBT (#2123), ABMP member, certified in Neuromuscular Therapy. Her private practice in Durham, NC focuses on somatic education, mindful touch, assisted self-discovery, and trauma resolution.
	MONICA CRAIG Monica is an Administrative Assistant. She has a bachelor’s degree in family and child studies from Northern Illinois University, and is a registered nurse and social worker. Monica brings her many years of health care experience to her work at BTI, where she is dedicated to helping others take a positive step in their lives.
	KAREN DELAHUNTY Karen is a Lead Instructor for Therapist Self-Development, and Hydrotherapy & Spa Modalities. She has a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. John’s College (New Mexico), is a BTI graduate, NC LMBT (#1490), ABMP member, former training director for The Body Shop, Inc., and day spa manager. Certified Somatic Coach from Strozzi Institute; Private practice in Raleigh, NC.
	SARAH DeBERARDINIS Sarah is Lead Instructor for the following courses: Massage Therapy I and II, Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology & Pathology, and Hydrotherapy & Spa Modalities. She has a bachelor's degree in recreation administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a BTI graduate, NC LMBT (#2115) and ABMP member; private practice in Chapel Hill, NC.
	TERESA FLORA Teresa is the BTI Administrator, and a strategic consultant to the Management Team. She is responsible for managing the school's financial systems and overall operations. She brings a wealth of experience to her position from the worlds of accounting and office systems management. Her attention to detail is surpassed only by her warmth and her dedication to service.
	DOTTY FOLEY Dotty is the Director of Student Services. She tracks and supports each student's academic progress through the program, and assists with post-graduate career planning and job placement. She has a bachelor’s degree in special education from Southern Connecticut University and has 25 years of experience in special ed. BTI graduate and former faculty member, NC LMBT (#9457), ABMP member; private practice in Raleigh, NC.
	DAVID HAMILTON David is a Teaching Assistant for Massage Therapy I & II. He has a bachelor's degree (Phi Beta Kappa) in romance languages and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a BTI graduate, NC LMBT (#12371), and ABMP member. Private practice in Pittsboro, NC. David is fluent in Spanish, and formerly managed several community projects in the area of sustainable agriculture and healthy nutrition.
	ROSEMARY HILL Rosemary is a Teaching Assistant for Professional Ethics & Massage Laws. She has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from NC State University, is an NC LMBT (#89), AMTA member, certified in Neuromuscular Therapy, and a former member of the NC Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy; private practice in Raleigh, NC.
	KEYU KULLA Keyu is a Teaching Assistant for Massage Therapy I & II. A native of the Republic of Estonia, she is a BTI graduate, NC LMBT (#12621), AMTA member; private practice in Greensboro, NC.
	BEVERLY JOHNSON Beverly is a Lead Instructor for Massage Therapy I and II, and Professional Ethics & Massage Laws. She also serves as Faculty Development Specialist. Bev is a BTI graduate, NC LMBT (#928), ABMP member, attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, certified in Reiki (Level II), and has completed leadership training with Strozzi Institute. Private practice in Pittsboro, NC.
	MICHELLE McLAUGHLIN Michelle is a Teaching Assistant for Massage Therapy I & II. She has a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Montclair State University. BTI graduate, NC LMBT, ABMP member, private practice in Sanford, NC.
	RICK ROSEN Rick is BTI's Founder and Co-director. In his role as Director of Marketing & Communications, he creates the educational and promotional materials that support BTI’s mission and goals, and is also the school’s liaison to professional organizations. He has a master’s degree in psychology from West Georgia College, and a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Florida. Graduate of the Florida School of Massage, NC LMBT (#1), AMTA member; certified in body-centered psychotherapy and structural integration.
	CAREY SMITH Carey is a Co-director of BTI. She oversees the training and development of BTI's faculty, as well as the design and delivery of the curriculum for the Diploma Program. She has a bachelor’s degree in romance languages from the University of Michigan, a teaching certificate from the American Montessori Society, certified in DansKinetics from Kripalu Institute, and a BTI graduate. Certified as a Master Somatic Coach by Strozzi Institute, and has a private coaching practice at BTI.
	MATT STEERE Matt is Supervisor for the Student Massage Clinic, and a Lead Instructor for Massage Therapy I & II and Somatic Psychology and Communication Skills. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Guilford College (North Carolina), is a BTI graduate, NC LMBT (#9346), and ABMP member. Private practice in Chapel Hill, NC.
	CAROL VERNER Carol is Senior Lead Instructor for Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology & Pathology. She has a bachelor’s degree in holistic studies from Norwich University, NC LMBT (#1301), ABMP member, Registered Craniosacral Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher through the Yoga Alliance, studies in Body-Mind Centering and a Master Somatic Coach from Strozzi Institute. Private practice in Carrboro, NC.
	AMANDA WEHRWEIN Amanda is BTI's Financial Aid Director. She works with incoming students to assist them in the process of developing a funding plan for their studies at BTI. She is dedicated to the "art of the possible" in helping students pursue their goals and dreams. Amanda comes to BTI with many years of financial aid experience with career colleges in the Phoenix area. She now resides in Raleigh, NC with her husband and daughter.