Biography & Mission Statement
Massage Therapist, Educator, Historian, & Volunteer
Kirby Clark Ellis, MMT, BCTMB (they/them/theirs) is a graduate of Blue Cliff College's 2014 Massage Therapy program. When asked about what drew them to massage, Kirby remarked that there's always been a passion and affinity for helping people relax. They also site their mother, a disabled widow struggling with fibromyalgia and three herniated discs, as a major influence. "I would come in from school and before momma would go to sleep, I'd come to her bedside and give her amateur massages. That started when I was in middle school, and so massage has always seemed like the right path for me."Since becoming licensed, Kirby has worked with a variety of clients from all walks of life and gained experience with over 6,000 hours of hands-on massage. Specializing in Myofascial Release, Hot Stone, Geriatric, and Massage for relieving Fibromyalgia symptoms, Ellis has made it their goal to always provide exceptional service to the clients that find themselves on the massage table.
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To date, Kirby has taken over 350 hours in Continuing Education. Recently, Ellis has upgraded their Massage License from LMT (Licensed Massage Therapists), and MMT (Master Massage Therapist) to MTI (Massage Therapist Instructor) and had their own CE courses approved by the Arkansas Department of Health and the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. As well as becoming Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork through NCBTMB.​"
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I am Kirby Clark Ellis.
I am a Massage Therapist Instructor.
I am Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.
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I want you to leave the massage table feeling Validated & Respected.
I am here to support your Peace & Healing.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with you. It is my honor.
I am grateful to you for trusting me with your story and with your body.
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Kirby Clark Ellis, MTI, BCTMB
Fayetteville, AR | kirbyclark.mmt@gmail.com
Professional Summary
Licensed Massage Therapist Oct. 2014 - Jun. 2020
Master Massage Therapist Jun. 2020 - May 2024
Massage Therapist Instructor Since May 2024
Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Since Dec. 2022
6,737 Hours of Massage Served As Of Jan. 2024
445.5 Hours of Continuing Education Certifications As of May 2024
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Membership Affiliations
American Massage Therapy Association
Education
Diploma of Massage Therapy | July 2014
Blue Cliff College Fayetteville, AR
775-hour Massage Therapy Program
Clinicals 1, 2, & 3 105 hours
Supervised Student Clinical Practice with Public Clients
Internships
Washington Regional Center for Exercise 6 hours
Supervised Experience in Chair Massage, Business Coordinator, & Table Massage
Highlands Oncology Group 10hours
Supervised Work with Chemotherapy Patients, Nurses, & Staff throughout Facility
Work Experience
Fayetteville, AR | Jan. 2022 - Jul. 2024
Independent Contractor/Master Massage Therapist
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Fayetteville & Bentonville, AR | Nov. 2019 - May 2021, Nov. 2023- Present
Licensed Massage Therapist/Master Massage Therapist
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Spa Botanica at Embassy Suites
Rogers, AR | Nov. 2021 - Nov. 2023
Master Massage Therapist
Fayetteville, AR | May 2021 - Nov. 2021
Independent Contractor/ Master Massage Therapist
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Touch Of Divinity at Beauty Centric
Fayetteville, AR | Jul. 2019 - Nov. 2019
Independent Contractor/Licensed Massage Therapist
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Fayetteville, AR | Oct. 2014 - Nov. 2019
Licensed Massage Therapist/Lead Therapist
*Recipient of 2016 Spirit Award
*Promoted to Lead Therapist Nov. 2017
Teaching Experience
Kirby Clark Ellis Massage Therapy Courses
Arkansas | May 2021 - Present
Continuing Education Provider, AR Dept. Health & NCBTMB Approved Provider
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Fayetteville, AR | Apr. 2021 - Dec. 2021
Instructor for Massage Therapy, Spa & General Massage
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Fayetteville, AR | Feb. 2020 - Jun. 2020
Instructor for Massage Therapy, Western Approaches & Special Populations
Continuing Education Certificates
2015
Pregnancy & Post-Partum Massage (25 hours)
2017
Foundations In Myofascial Release: The Upper Body (20 hours)
2019
Pain Reduction Through Electro Stimulation (6 hours)
Body Wrap Basics (6 hours)
Business Building For The Massage Therapist (6 hours)
Full Body Hot Stone Massage (6 hours)
Massage Cupping (6 hours)
Intro To Heat Modalities: Hot Stones, Warm Bamboo, Heat Packs (12 hours)
Hot Stone Massage (6 hours)
Spa & Hydrotherapy (6 hours)
2020
Introduction To Ayurveda: Doshic Facial Massage (6 hours)
Introduction To Ayurveda: Abhyanga (6 hours)
Introduction To Ayurveda: Shirodhara (6 hours)
Intro To Pressure: Shiatsu - Acupressure + Reflexology (12 hours)
Intro To The Masso-Facial (6 hours)
Cut & Counsel: Covid-19 (Arkansas Department Of Health)
2021
Aromatherapy (2 hours)
Prenatal Massage & Pathology And Pregnancy (9 hours)
The Laws And Rules & Regulations Of Arkansas (6 hours)
The Ethics Of Massage (6 hours)
Chair Massage 101 (6 hours)
Tools Of The Trade: Save Your Body, Work Smarter (12 hours)
River Rocks Foot Soak (6 hours)
Ethics (2 hours)
Business Ethics (3 hours)
Bodywork Cupping (2 hours)
Centering Diversity, Inclusion, And Equity In Our Practices (1 hour)
Cultural Competency For Massage Therapists (1 hour)
Implicit Bias: Interrupting The Stories That Prevent Us From Delivering Optimal Care (1.5 hours)
Creating An Affirming & Inclusive Practice (2 hours)
Challenging Racism In The Massage Industry (2 hours)
Safestones (12 hours)
Antiracism For Health Care Providers (1 hour)
Principles For Business Success & Sales (6 hours)
Regulatory Issues & Arkansas Law (6 hours)
Be There (Born This Way Foundation)
2022
Sex Trafficking Awareness And How Massage Therapists Can Help Survivors (1 hour)
Facial Lymph Massage (6 hours)
Working With Ancient Oils (6 hours)
Percussion Massage Basics (0.5 hours)
2023
Applications of Massage Cupping (9 hours)
Cranial-Sacral Therapy (18 hours)
Precision Neuromuscular Therapy for the Low Back (8 hours)
Effective Soft-Tissue Strategies for Plantar Fasciitis & Planter Fasciosis (4 hours)
Managing Risk in Your Massage Practice (2 hours)
Trauma-Informed Practice: An Evidence-Based Approach to Holistic Care (2 hours)
Tailoring Massage Sessions with Ladder of Engagement Protocols (6 hours)
Gentle Massage of the Muscles of Respiration (4 hours)
Innovative Approaches to Care: Massage Therapy & Whole Person Health (1.5 hours)
Barefoot Bodyworks: Ashi-Stretch (12 hours)
A Doctor's Note Isn't Good Enough... and what is better (2 hours)
Cornerstones Parts 1-24 (25 hours)
Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy Part I (18 hours)
Easing Pregnancy Pain (1 hour)
Mother's Massage: A Guide to Prenatal & Postpartum Massage & Wellness (2 hours)
Ethical Dilemmas Fully Exposed (1 hour)
A Detailed Approach to Sidelying Techniques: Part 1 - Shoulder (1 hour)
A Detailed Approach to Sidelying Techniques: Part 2 - Back (1 hour)
A Detailed Approach to Sidelying Techniques: Part 3 - Hip (1 hour)
Barefoot Bodyworks: Ashiatsu Bar Basics (12 hours)
The Walton Pressure Scale (1 hour)
Pregnancy And Massage (3 hours)
Pregnancy And Massage: Advanced Practice (3.5 hours)
2024
Reflexology: Self Care Techniques (Dexterity Professional Development)
Business Basics: Practical Considerations (Dexterity Professional Development)
Compression Syndromes: Professional Considerations (Dexterity Professional Development)
Trauma: Professional Considerations (Dexterity Professional Development)
The Science Of Learning: Understanding The Brain To Transform Teaching (1.5 hour)
Best Practices For Keeping Your Course Content Fresh & Current (1 hour)
Beyond The Textbook: Active Learning For Long-Term Retention (1 hour)
Mentoring Factulty, Staff, & Students (1 hour)
Promoting Collegiality In The Classroom (1 hour)
AMTA 2024 Massage Profession Research Report (1.5 hour)
Admissions, Retention, & Student Support: Optimizing Limited Resources In Your School (1 hour)
Building Connections To Support Success In Massage Therapy Graduates (1 hour)
Marketing Your Program & Attracting Students (1 hour)
Mandated Reporter Online Training (2 hours)
Integrating Orthopedic Massage Assessment With Treatment: Neck, Shoulder, Back, & Knee Injuries (7 hours)
Craniosacral Therapy... What Is It Really? (2.5 hours)
Foot Reflexology 1 & 2: Benefits, Philosophy, & The 34 Points (1.5 hours)
Foot Reflexology 3: Hands-On Techniques (1 hour)
Ayurvedic Holistic Philosophy & Chakra System (1.5 hours)
The First Five Days: Creating A Culture Of Academic Success (2 hours)
Pregnancy, Oncology, & Geriatric Massage (12 hours)
CranioSacral Therapy Introduction (12 hours)
How To Become A CE Provider (2 hours)
Diversity: Cultural Competence (1 hour)
Headache Essentials: The Foundation For Massage Therapists (1 hour)
Neuromuscular Considerations In Cervicogenic Headaches (1 hour)
Structural Dynamics Of Headache Pain (1 hour)
Massage Therapy & Pain Management (1 hour)
Reviewing & Submitting To A Research Journal (1 hour)
Case Report Contest (1 hour)
Welcome To The Future (3 hours)
Elevate & Expand: Navigating A Path To A Thriving Massage School (3 hours)
Teaching Clinical Assessment In Different Delivery Methods (4 hours)
Approved Continuing Education Courses
NCBTMB Approved Courses
Full Body Hot Stone Massage (18 hours)
Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity: Cultural Competency Training for Massage Therapists (6 hours)
Full Body Cupping Massage - Myofascial: Relaese & Decompression (18 hours)
Chair Massage Four Ways: Acupressure, Aromatherapy, Bamboo, & Percussion (6 hours)
Informed Consent Body Regions: Therapeutic Communication & Techniques (6 hours)
Full Body Prenatal & Postpartum Massage: Trimester By Trimester (18 hours)
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ADH Approved Courses
Massage Therapy Laws & Rules (3 hours)
Business, Resume, & Portfolio Workshop For Massage Therapists (3 hours)
Foundations Of Massage Therapy (6 hours)
Intro. To Spa Hydrotherapy: Scrubs, Wraps, & Facial Massage (6 hours)
Intro. To Full Body Hot Stone Massage (6 hours)
Intermediate Full Body Hot Stone Massage (6 hours)
Advanced Full Body Hot Stone Massage (6 hours)
Intro. To Prenatal & Postpartum Massage (6 hours)
Chair Massage: Four Ways (6 hours)
Intro. To Cupping: Myofascial Release & Decompression (6 hours)
Thermo-Theory (6 hours)
Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity: Cultural Competency Training For Massage Business (6 hours)
Massage Therapists ~ Mandated Reporters
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Continuing Education Courses have been provided at the following locations:
Healing Edge Massage Academy (formerly The Edge School Of Massage)
Fayetteville
Arkansas School Of Massage
Fort Smith
Body Wellness Massage Academy
Conway
Radiance School Of Massage
Hot Springs
Touching America School Of Massage Therapy Technology
Maumelle
Face It Education Center
Fayetteville
Arkansas Academy Of Massage
Cabot
Touch Of Joy
Searcy
White Lotus Salon & Massage
Fayetteville
NEA School Of Massage
Jonesboro
Francis Massage & Bodywork
Mountain Home
Lotus & Crow
Paragould
Kimberley Yutsus Massage Therapy
Pineville
Spa 1905
Eureka Springs
A Touch For Health School Of Therapy Technology
Texarkana
CAM Collaborative: Master Massage Learning
Little Rock
Squeeze Massage
Rogers
Volunteer Service
Chair Massage Events
2014
Race For The Cure (3 hours)
with Blue Cliff College
2015
Outdoor Cap Company (2 hours)
with Blue Cliff College
2016
RazorFest (2 hours)
with Massage Envy
NWA Pride Parade (1 hour)
proceeds/donations to benefit Pulse Nightclub Massacre Families
2019
Student Appreciation at the University Of Arkansas (4 hours)
with LaVida Massage
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Volunteer Positions
2022
July-November
Licensure Level Ad Hoc Committee
with the Massage Therapy Technical Advisory Committee & Arkansas Department of Health
2023-2024
Board Member
American Massage Therapy Association, Arkansas Chapter
2024, Apr - Oct
President
American Massage Therapy Association, Arkansas Chapter
2024-2025
Education Task Force
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards
2024
Marketing Committee
Alliance for Massage Therapy Education
2024
Arkansas Ambassador
Interstate Massage Compact
2024-2027
President, Founding Member
Society Of Massage Archives
2024-2027
Representative/Committee Member
Massage Therapy Technical Advisory Committee
Credentials
Diploma, License, & Continuing Education