Winter is a season that invites us to find warmth and comfort by connecting with friends, family.

I’m reminded of how deeply our profession is rooted in connection. Whether we’re supporting clients, mentoring students, or collaborating with our fellow therapists, we thrive when we come together. Our chapter continues to focus on building a community where every member feels supported, valued, and connected.

Winter marks the final planning stages for one of our most anticipated gatherings: the 2026 AMTA Pennsylvania Annual Conference. Registration will open at the beginning of January, and you’ll receive an email invitation with all the details. We hope you’ll join us May 29–31, 2026 in Harrisburg for a weekend filled with education, connection, and the kind of professional community that strengthens us all.

As we move through these colder months, I encourage you to stay connected with your chapter, with your colleagues, and with the work that inspires you. Together, we continue to grow a vibrant, supportive community across Pennsylvania.

Warm wishes for a meaningful winter season.

Tanya Seiler, LMT

President, AMTA PA Chapter

Happy New Year fellow therapists!

The AMTA Delegates held their annual business meeting preceding the AMTA National Convention in Dallas, TX on Wednesday, August 20 from 1:00-4:30 pm.

Two (2) Discussion Topics were presented to delegates for discussion and comment.

1. Trauma and Massage Therapy

2. Peer to Peer Mentorship

Please click on the link to read more in the final 2025 Assembly of Delegates (AOD) report

Keep your eyes and ears out for what will be coming for 2026!

Kelly Givens, LMT

Hello Everyone,

This is your Government Relations Chair.

As always, I encourage you to attend the board meetings. They are all virtual unless there is something that requires a bit of discussion. They last about an hour or hour and half.

The next board meeting for the PA licensing board is 2/10/2026 at 10:30.

Upcoming 2026 meetings will be held on

3/31, 6/16, 8/11, 9/22, 12/1 All starting at 10:30.

Camille Baughman, MA, LMT

Preparing for a Great 2026 AMTA-PA Chapter Annual Meeting

This is my first year taking on the responsibility of finding presenters and developing contracts for our AMTA-PA Chapter Annual Meeting. It’s been an exciting learning curve—one that’s given me a renewed appreciation for how much coordination and care goes into providing a high-quality educational experience for our members.

One of the first steps I took was building a comprehensive presenter database. This will serve not only as a resource for our upcoming annual meeting, but also for chapter events and local meetings in the years to come. The goal is to create a strong foundation that future boards and coordinators can continue to draw from, helping us maintain consistency and elevate the educational opportunities we offer statewide.

I had the pleasure of communicating with many highly qualified presenters throughout this process. From reviewing course options to discussing logistics and availability, every conversation reminded me just how much expertise and passion exists in our profession. It's been a fun (and sometimes tricky!) challenge to balance the schedule, ensure a good mix of topics, and coordinate responsibilities across our board to make everything come together smoothly.

While I still can’t share exactly who will be presenting just yet, I’m confident and excited about the lineup we’ve secured. We’ve worked hard to curate a variety of classes to support many styles of massage practices.

More details will be coming soon, and I can’t wait to share what we’ve been building. Thank you for your support, your curiosity, and your commitment to lifelong learning. We’re looking forward to an inspiring and enriching annual meeting! I'll see you in May in Harrisburg.

Sincerely,

Breanna Eckley, LMT

Membership Committee Goes Virtual!

Hi everyone! We wanted to take a moment to share what the Membership Outreach Committee has been up to. Our little team is led by Xerlan Deery and includes Gina Stephens, Matt Kerr, and Amanda Young— a mix of long-time therapists, long-time AMTA volunteers, newer members, and even a student member. We really love that combination. It fits our philosophy that real leaders make more leaders, and that everyone should feel welcome here from day one.

This year we’ve been focusing on ways to help members connect with each other—because honestly, that’s the heart of a strong chapter. Whether it’s chatting at events or hosting online hangouts, we want AMTA PA to feel like a place where you can ask questions, share ideas, and meet other therapists who “get it.”

For Massage Therapy Awareness Week, we decided to try something new: a full week of virtual meetups. Gina kicked things off with a relaxing Sunday morning chat, Matt held down Monday afternoon, Amanda brought the midweek energy on Wednesday evening, and Xerlan wrapped things up on Saturday afternoon. We had such a great time, and we loved seeing everyone who popped in—even if it was just for a few minutes. And yes: we know we gave you all very little notice of the virtual meetings.

Lesson learned!

So here’s the good news: we already have a regular schedule lined up for January and beyond, and we’d love for you to drop in whenever you can:

No pressure, no agenda—just a friendly space to connect, recharge, and be part of the

AMTA PA community. We hope to see you soon!

Xerlan Deery, LMT, BCTMB

Waging Peace With My Bare Hands

I may not be protesting in the streets,
I am just over here straightening the sheets,
but in this space I am waging peace.
I am waging peace with my bare hands.

The pain runs deep, a silent tide,
It hides in the hips and denies the glide,
but here it softens, here it’s tried.
I am waging peace with my bare hands.

Tension coils like wire wound tight,
It steals the breath, it dims the light,
Less pressure today and relief is in sight
I am waging peace with my bare hands.

Anxiety hums beneath the skin,
A restless buzz that pulls within,
but stillness rises, soft and thin.
I am waging peace with my bare hands.

Relief arrives without a sound,
A sigh, a tear, a body unbound,
no fanfare here, just sacred ground.
I am waging peace with my bare hands.

The world isn’t here within this space,
No politics or opinions, just trust and grace,
I offer quiet care to the human race.
I am waging peace with my bare hands.

~Xerlan Deery

Why Volunteer with AMTA Pennsylvania Chapter?

Our Pennsylvania chapter is looking for passionate, dedicated individuals to join us in making a positive impact as we grow and connect with our massage therapy community.

Volunteering is at the very core of being a human.
No one has made it through life without someone else’s help

~Heather French Henry

Do you want to see more in-person events in your area?
We want to hear from you!

AMTA Pennsylvania is run by volunteers, who provide local opportunities for continuing education, skill development, networking, and advocacy, which gives us the chance to meet new people, build friendships, career advancement and expand our social network.

Volunteering is truly a rewarding experience by all of us contributing to a stronger and more vibrant massage therapy society.

Volunteers don’t get paid,
not because they're worthless,
but because they're priceless

~Sherry Anderson

You are priceless to us! So together, Let’s make a tangible difference.
Let’s use our skills and talents for good.

Please contact me when you are interested in volunteering with us.

Gina Stephens, LMT (Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator)

412-613-2276 Volunteering@amtapa.org

SAVE THE DATE

2026 Annual Meeting and Conference

May 29 -31, 2026

Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center

800 E Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111+