Registered Massage Therapy
Faculty
Dr. Kevin Underwood
Instructor
Kevin graduated in 1985 from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto at which time he entered private practice in Nelson until 2016. He spends his free-time taking photographs, playing hockey, and volunteering with the Rotary Club and Touchstones Museum & Art Gallery.
Jade Somers - Brisson, RMT
Clinic Supervisor
Jade is a born and raised Nelson local, and graduated from KCC in 2021. When she’s not supervising, she runs her practice downtown Nelson at the Baker Wellness Centre. Jade is a passionate massage therapist, she places deep value on the blending of intuitive massage with in-depth anatomical knowledge and evidence-based practice. She’s thrilled to support students to learn and find confidence in their innate and unique abilities.
Allison Core, RMT
Instructor
Allie graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2018 and has been practicing as an RMT since. She has worked in several clinical settings including operating her own private practice. Allie became a registrant of the College of Complementary Health Professionals in 2024. Prior to completing her RMT education, Allie obtained a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Guelph.
She enjoys weaving the knowledge she has gained from her education into her practice and teaching style. Ultimately, her goal is to create an environment that allows for growth, learning, and compassion. Since relocating to the Kootenays, Allie has found joy in teaching and supervising the student clinic at the Kootenay Columbia College. She enjoys many forms of movement and has a deep love for plants, food, and the natural world.
Mary Houle, RMT
Instructor
Mary is an active member of the College of Massage Therapy of British Columbia, practicing massage therapy since 2013. After traveling and working in different countries and provinces including Ontario, England, and New Zealand, she opened a Massage Therapy practice in Nelson. Her training and schooling have always been health-oriented and people-focused. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology at the University of Windsor before attending and graduating from Sutherland Chan School of Massage Therapy in Toronto. She is happy to be a part of the Kootenay Columbia College faculty.
Sevrin Baker
Instructor
Sevrin has been practicing for 19 years in the field of Wellness and Kinesiology. He analyzes posture, breathing and movement to determine the underlying habits that are the actual cause of pain and dysfunction in his clients. He uses this information and the plasticity of the brain to reprogram our bodies to be more efficient and mechanically advantageous rather than treat the symptoms specifically.
Sevrin strives to help people understand how they came to be in their current predicament through their previous activities and habits. He educates them as to what is a more ideal and efficient way to move and exercise. The concept of grounding, integration of the unconscious / autonomic system using intent, and the emotional and psychological components around injury and recovery are introduced. Tools to address these concepts are either provided or the client is referred to an affiliated specialist. The end goal being to provide them with the tools to understand and correct current and future problems on their own. He has been running a private business since 2010, Co-Instructed a 5th year elective for 4 years at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences, and currently Instructs in the RMT program at the Kootenay Columbia College of Integrated Sciences.
Alida Baron, RMT
Clinic Supervisor
Alida graduated from the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy in 2020. In addition to her position with KCC, she runs a massage therapy business at the Sports Lab in Nelson. Alida is passionate about sharing her unique techniques and skill set in a classroom setting. Her kind and calm nature creates a sense of safety and warmth, and we are delighted to have her on our team.
Forrest Mac Ivor, RMT
Instructor
Originally from Oregon, Forrest specializes in myofascial mobilization using an assortment of techniques including myofascial release, joint mobilizations, neuromuscular therapy, craniosacral, muscle energy, and visceral manipulation. He focuses primarily on realignment to the osseous structures and balancing connective tissue restrictions. Forrest grew up with a mother who practiced massage therapy and he himself graduated from Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy in 2007. Soon after, he moved to the Kootenay’s and this has been home ever since. He is passionate about teaching and sharing his many years of experience.
Leah Busi, RMT
Clinic Supervisor
Leah went through a career change after raising her kids in Calgary, Alberta, and graduated from the massage therapy program at Mount Royal University in 2022. She became registered in BC in 2023 and has made her home here in the West Kootenays Leah is working as a Registered Massage Therapist at a busy multi-disciplinary clinic. She is passionate about health and wellness and loves working with the active mountain community here. Leah loves to alpine and Nordic ski, hike, and paddleboard, and she plays hockey as a goalie as much as possible.
