Image Lesley Laudano BSc, LMT

Published on: by Sarah Crisp Category:Meet our Management Team, Meet Our Team
Qualifications: LMT, BSc 
- CT Licensed Massage Therapist: #6324

Lesley graduated magna cum laude from Colby-Sawyer College in 2007, where she received her B.S. in Exercise Science and was presented with the Baccalaureate Award for demonstrating the highest degree of dedication and excellence in her field of study.

Lesley began her career at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy – the most highly accredited school in the state, graduating in 2010 with honors for academic and hands-on excellence.  As a former collegiate athlete and “red shirt” member of the award-winning CT Sports Massage Team, she values the importance of stretching and range of motion and will often incorporate these techniques into her sessions.

Lesley joined Vitality in 2010 and in addition to her talents as a dedicated massage therapist, her calm demeanor, intelligence and sense of humor have made her a trusted and indispensable member of the team.  Her intuitive approach makes anyone she works with – clients or colleagues – feel good. So whether you are seeking stress reduction or deep tissue bodywork, Lesley’s warm and gentle approach, combined with her sports science background translate to deeply therapeutic and restorative massage sessions.

 

Image Däna Perun, LMT, CMLDT

Published on: by Jill Stranger Category:Meet Our Team
Qualifications: CT Licensed Massage Therapist: #6070

 

Däna Perun, LMT, CMLDT, has been practicing massage therapy since 2009 and is known for her combination of clinical skill and intuitive presence. She is certified in Thai Bodywork, Sarga Bodywork, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Vodder Method), and her work is rooted in a strong foundation of myofascial release principles.

Däna specializes in addressing fascial tension and movement restrictions through slow, focused, and attentive techniques. Her approach blends advanced training with the ability to listen closely to tissue—helping clients experience meaningful relief from pain, improved mobility, and restored ease in their bodies.

Her clients frequently describe her presence as calming and her touch as both precise and restorative. Whether someone is seeking pain relief, post-surgical support, or a grounding reset, Däna’s intention is always to meet each person where they are and guide them toward lasting wellbeing.

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Image Vera Reed, LMT

Published on: by Jill Stranger Category:Meet Our Team
Qualifications: CT Licensed Massage Therapist: #2494

Vera is a graduate of the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy.
Vera’s unique blend of Swedish, deep tissue and myofascial techniques provides relaxation and relief.
She is a nationally certified instructor and a professional member of the AMTA.
Vera’s eclectic studies include Chinese Herbal Medicine, Reiki, Shamanic Healing, Sacred Hot Stone Therapy,
Pure Essential Oil Therapy, Ear Candling, Cupping, Tui-Na/Guasha, Organic Facials, Thai Yoga Massage,
and Yoga Instruction.
With 23 years of experience, Vera is licensed and specializes in shiatsu, lymph drainage, energy balancing, reflexology, aromatherapy, and Chinese medical massage.
Her main focus is on healing the body.

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Image Luray Shepard BA, LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist, Spa Manager

Published on: by Sarah Crisp Category:Meet our Integrative Wellness Therapists, Meet Our Team
Qualifications: CT Licensed Massage Therapist: #8597

 

Luray received her BA in Psychology from Loyola College in MD and has worked in the social service field for the past twenty years.

After observing the benefits of massage on a terminally ill family member, she decided on a career transition. “It was during that hour session my cousin felt “normal” and her pain was alleviated for hours after. I want to be able to give that peace of mind to people.”

reserve1000Luray graduated with academic achievement from CT Center for Massage Therapy in Groton.

She has advanced training in oncology massage, which allows her to modify sessions for clients with cancer and cancer histories, from the robust to medically frail.

Luray is a Level 2 Certified Reiki Practitioner and taken Visionary Craniosacral Classes 1 & 2.

Her empathetic nature and understanding of people help clients relax while receiving a therapeutic massage blending her extensive training and natural intuitive style.

 

Image Catherine Williams, LMT

Published on: by Jill Stranger Category:Meet Our Team
Qualifications: CT Licensed Massage Therapist: #11190

 

Cat’s passion has always been massage, starting at the age of seven when she would massage her grandmother’s calves. Cat graduated from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in 2016 and attended Cortiva in Cromwell, CT for additional training. Her strength is Deep Tissue massage, but she gives a fantastic Swedish massage as well. Cat is also Stretch certified and has plans to add Reiki and Lymphatic Drainage to her skill-set in the future.

Cat enjoys traveling and spending time with her son and her dog, Eleven. She also loves fashion and style, evident in her collection of cool glasses.

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Image Barbara Harvey, LMT

Published on: by admin Category:Meet Our Team
Qualifications: CT Licensed Massage Therapist: #000974

Barbara graduated from Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) in Newington, CT in 1988 and has been a practicing massage therapist since that time. Barbara is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and a licensed massage therapist in the State of CT.

She is certified in Lymphatic Drainage and Mother Massage: Massage During Pregnancy. She earned Hot Stone massage certification through Carollanne Crichton at Solavedi Organics in Guilford, CT. Her continuing education includes: Craniosacral Therapy Level I, Sports Massage, and Myofascial and Visceral Release.  Barbara has taught prenatal partner massage at Backus Hospital, and worked as an assistant teacher at CCMT for several years. She practiced massage therapy in the New Haven area working with both chiropractic and naturopathic practitioners as well as in a day spa setting.

Barbara was a co-owner of Mystic Therapeutic Massage in Mystic from 2001 until 2015. During this time, she was drawn toward treating elderly and health-challenged clients both in home and in inpatient facilities. Over the years, she has volunteered at many local charity events including the Terri Brodeur breast cancer walk, Angel Ride, and Tour de Lyme, among others.

Since moving to Niantic in 2015 Barbara has continued to practice massage in various settings from Stonington to Old Lyme, CT. She is passionate about self-care and massage therapy and believes it should be part of everyone’s wellness regimen. Her extensive experience and training allows her to customize each massage session to suit the client’s specific needs.

Barbara is not taking new clients at this time.

 

Image Beth Chinigo, Licensed Esthetician

Published on: by Sarah Crisp Category:Meet Our Team
Qualifications: Certified Esthetician

Bethany is a Licensed Esthetician and graduate of Brio Academy in Niantic, Connecticut

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Beth’s passion has always been skin care and all aspects of esthetics. She sees her professional reward in making her clients feel relaxed and at ease during any spa treatment.

Beth’s growing interest in a vegan way of living has also influenced  her work at Vitality.She is passionate about the Solavedi line used at the spa; made only of organic and wild-crafted food-grade ingredients.

“I love to learn new things, especially pertaining to my field. I constantly immerse myself in finding natural solutions for all my clients specific needs.”

“Our skin is the largest organ of the human body which is why I believe that we should take the extra effort to nourish it, develop knowledge of what we are exposing it to, and how to protect it.”

Beth loves working with people to help them manage the affects of lifestyle, environmental and hormonal factors on their skin. Her knowledge and experience of home-care regimes has shown in the results of fresh and clear complexions using only the most natural of products.

Image Jill Stranger – Spa Manager

Published on: by Sarah Crisp Category:Meet our Management Team, Meet Our Team

Jill has worked as a business manager in the healthcare field for many years.

Her experience working at a naturopathic office led to her belief that optimum health can only be achieved by attending to the nourishment of body, mind and spirit. Personal experience with the benefits of therapeutic massage and acupuncture gave Jill an understanding of how valuable alternative healthcare is to overall health and wellness.

Joining the Vitality team brings to fruition her dream of working in a professional environment where the health and well-being of everyone, including staff, is valued and incorporated into the philosophy and mission of the spa.

Jill will turn her hand to any aspect of Spa Management and brings a wealth of customer service experience to Vitality.

When she is not at Vitality, Jill can often be found hanging out with her grandchildren.