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I received my Massage Therapy Certificate from New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts in January, 2015. Since the beginning, my training, study, passion, and practice have been focused on technical bodywork methods aimed at efficacy in pain relief and mobility, teaching the basic frameworks of bodywork and self-care to clients, and translating the various languages of the body and of bodywork's many effective arts to both plain English and to a technical understanding.
Technical Info
Technical Info
Some of my favorite bodywork tools include:
Manual neurovascular decompression techniques under study with Steven Di Marino (student of the late Mark Bookhout, PT) at Musculoskeletal Specialists in Los Alamos, NM since October 2024
Referral to other providers as needed for nutritional counseling, naprapathy or chiropractic, manual lymphatic drainage, etc.
Readiness to collaborate with my clients' healthcare team
Assessment of posture and movement patterns
Structural load and tension balancing strategies (in the vein of Rolfing/Structural Integration)
Active and passive stretching, including positional release/blocking, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and active engagement techniques.
Myofascial release, deep tissue, motor point activation, craniosacral therapy (limited study so far), and unwinding techniques
Identification of myofascial pain referral patterns, with trigger point, deep tissue, and other fascia-focused modalities to release them--work based on "The Red Bibles"--Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of Interest
I have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae
As required for Board Certification in Patient Advocacy, my up-to-date CV listing all related credentials is available, below.
Sarah Amelia Johnson
Sarah Amelia Johnson
sarah@lightspiritstudio.com | 505-310-0662 | 2019 Galisteo Street, Suite G4, Santa Fe, NM 87505
sarah@lightspiritstudio.com | 505-310-0662 | 2019 Galisteo Street, Suite G4, Santa Fe, NM 87505
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Patient advocate, manual therapist, and independent-practice owner since 2025: client-centered communication, structured documentation, scheduling, referral coordination, privacy-conscious record handling, and bodywork centered in manual chronic pain care. Three years independent advocacy and specialized manual care for people with connective tissue disorders and associated neurological, neurodivergent, and immune conditions. Continuing to build formal academica and professional preparation in human-subject protection, Good Clinical Practice, advocacy and clinical-research coordination toward growing a career in clinical research on comparative effectiveness, outcomes, translation and implementation regarding the complex of neuroimmune, autonomic, and mechanical interplays that affect people with connective tissue disorders.
CORE COMPETENCIES
CORE COMPETENCIES
Participant-centered communication 🞙 Non-diagnostic interviewing 🞙 Recognize client-reported concerns warranting referral or timely follow-up 🞙 Quality-oriented documentation and tracking 🞙 Community-feedback synthesis, responsive resource development, & initiative design 🞙 Networking & capacity building 🞙 Project & program coordination 🞙 Structured documentation, tracking, quality checks, and accurate client-record maintenance 🞙 Organizational workflow and tools development.
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
Light Spirit Studio, L.L.C. | Santa Fe, NM
Independent Patient Advocate & Manual Therapist, Founder & Owner Feb 2021 – present
Operate a client-centered independent practice serving people with chronic pain, connective-tissue concerns, and complex care-navigation needs.
Conduct client interviews; maintain detailed documentation; identify needs requiring referral; support clients in preparing for appointments; follow up on navigation of care options.
Coordinate scheduling, communication, billing, records, educational resources, and practice workflows while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Collaborate under client authorization with healthcare, disability-benefits, and support-system stakeholders to improve care continuity and access to care.
Develop educational materials on self-advocacy, body awareness, and appropriate referral pathways; promote informed choice, clearly distinguish education and support from diagnosis or medical treatment.
VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Santa Fe Hypermobility Resource Group | Santa Fe, NM
Founder, Program & Group Leader Oct 2023 – present
Built and continue to lead a peer-navigation community serving 70+ members affected by hypermobility-related complex chronic health concerns.
Gather community feedback to identify recurring access barriers; responsively design, plan, and facilitate community education, resource sharing, and specialist-facing outreach designed to reduce barriers.
Coordinate group logistics, participant communication, referral-resource development, and early coalition-building efforts, including educational and journal-discussion programming.
International Society for Mast Cell Activation Syndromes | Orange, CA (remote)
Patient Advocacy Committee Member June 2025 – present
Thematic analysis of service gaps toward publishing and internal use of study data.
Volunteer Continuing Medical Education Coordinator Dec 2025 – present
Recruitment and coordination for monthly lectures; resolution of member access issues with recordings.
LICENSURE & PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
LICENSURE & PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
International Society for Mast Cell Activation Syndromes Member Oct 2025 – present
The Ehlers-Danlos Society's EDS & HSD Global Alliance Affiliated Group Representative Oct 2023 – present
State of New Mexico Licensed Massage Therapist #8145 Jan 2015 – Present
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes – Systemic Manifestations, Treatment Approach, and Navigating the Complex Patient – 17.5 hours completed September 2026
Institute of Advanced Bodywork and Movement – Ongoing study & practice Oct 2024 – present
Patient Advocate Certification Board Certification Candidate examination anticipated Oct 2026
The Ehlers-Danlos Society – EDS & HSD Health Advocate training, 15 hours completed Feb 2025
ECHO Programs from UNM, The EDS Society, & Hennepin Healthcare Systems Oct 2018 – present
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
University of New Mexico – Honors Chemistry I, Chemistry Lab I & II, Psychology Aug 2018 – May 2019
St. John’s College, Santa Fe – Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts completed May 2013
ONGOING SHORT-TERM TRAINING
ONGOING SHORT-TERM TRAINING
Human Subjects Research 🞙 Good Clinical Practices 🞙 Clinical Research Coordinator
Other foundational training has included inestimable time up a tree, on a mountain, or otherwise investing life in this hypermobile, sensitive body
Other foundational training has included inestimable time up a tree, on a mountain, or otherwise investing life in this hypermobile, sensitive body
— which thankfully usually responds superbly to kind care, quality food, paced athletics, and free exploration, thereby teaching me questions and ideas useful to share with others.
— which thankfully usually responds superbly to kind care, quality food, paced athletics, and free exploration, thereby teaching me questions and ideas useful to share with others.
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