Dawn Hyde
Co-Owner, Yoga Instructor, Wellness Educator
The elevation of well-being starts with the foundations of good health. We live in a time of overstimulation and stress. Often, our body and mind awareness are the first to lose sight of. I thrive on helping to gently guide people back into their natural rhythms, so that healing and happiness are priority.
While teaching me how to move with grace and harmony through life, alternative medicine and mindfulness practices have allowed me to venture deep into the heart. I began experimenting with yoga and mindfulness practices at a young age. Since then, I’ve begun a journey inside of myself and around the world to try to gain a better understanding of my higher purpose.
My yoga classes are influenced by the spiritual teachings of many traditions: hatha, vinyasa, kundalini, bhakti, shamanism, yin, restorative yoga and more. Classes will encourage deep connection to breath, body, earth and heart. We explore mindful movements to nourish the body, guided meditation to find joy in stillness, and connection to breath to celebrate the present moment.
This incredible practice continues to inspire me everyday, and I humbly bow with deep gratitude to all of the teachers in my life. They have given me the courage to honor my truth, to shine my light, and to share my love of wellness and yoga with others.
Contact: info@riverfamilywellness.com
Dawn Hyde
Co-Owner, Yoga Instructor, Wellness Educator
The elevation of well-being starts with the foundations of good health. We live in a time of overstimulation and stress. Often, our body and mind awareness are the first to lose sight of. I thrive on helping to gently guide people back into their natural rhythms, so that healing and happiness are priority.
While teaching me how to move with grace and harmony through life, alternative medicine and mindfulness practices have allowed me to venture deep into the heart. I began experimenting with yoga and mindfulness practices at a young age. Since then, I’ve begun a journey inside of myself and around the world to try to gain a better understanding of my higher purpose.
My yoga classes are influenced by the spiritual teachings of many traditions: hatha, vinyasa, kundalini, bhakti, shamanism, yin, restorative yoga and more. Classes will encourage deep connection to breath, body, earth and heart. We explore mindful movements to nourish the body, guided meditation to find joy in stillness, and connection to breath to celebrate the present moment.
This incredible practice continues to inspire me everyday, and I humbly bow with deep gratitude to all of the teachers in my life. They have given me the courage to honor my truth, to shine my light, and to share my love of wellness and yoga with others.
Contact: info@riverfamilywellness.com
Jason Barnes
Co-Owner, Acupuncturist, Massage Therapist, Herbalist
I find inspiration from all aspects of holistic healing. In 2010, I received my degree in Massage Therapy from the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon. This laid a strong foundation in a therapeutic, western style of massage. This included deep tissue, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, sports massage, and injury & pain management.
Along with my knowledge of western massage, I have a deep appreciation and interest in eastern modalities and energetic healing. These studies includes yoga, qigong, traditional Thai massage, tuina, shiatsu, and Reiki.
I'm a graduate of the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, where I received a Masters degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. As an acupuncturist and herbalist, I'm able to treat a variety of conditions: ranging from musculoskeletal pain, mental-emotional issues, digestive issues, women and men's health, addiction/recovery, and pediatrics. My patients can expect to find a balance of deep relaxation, while also receiving focused and detailed therapeutic work on areas of concern or pain.
These studies help support my commitment to practice truly holistic therapies- enhancing and uplifting physical, mental and emotional states, while contributing to an overall sense of well-being.
Jason is currently In-Network with The United Healthcare Insurance Plan for acupuncture.
Contact: jason@riverfamilywellness.com
Natalie O'Neil
Massage Therapist, Reiki Practitioner, Crystal Healer, Herbalist
Natalie O’Neil is a licensed massage therapist, certified holistic health coach, certified crystal healer, reiki practitioner, and herbalist. Her styles of healing include Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy, Shiatsu, Myofasical Release, Swedish massage, Ayurvedic massage and Energy work tailored to meet individual healing needs. Her health journey started when she enrolled at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in 2008 when her own health took a toll. Already having a strong background in anatomy and physiology, she fell deep into the rabbit hole of health and wellness. Natalie enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2014 to learn about nutrition and what creates a healthy diet. After Natalie had graduated from the herbal apprenticeship with Heartstone Herbal School in 2016, she developed a passion for herbal medicine, wildcrafting, and nature based living. Natalie is dedicated to helping others practice being their own authority on their health and life. By supporting the whole person, and teaching them to listen to their bodies, true healing can happen. Natalie is deeply grateful to be surrounded by such a wonderful community and honored to be a part of River Family Wellness.
Contact: NGolonka@gmail.com
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Susy Ziegler
Acupuncturist, Massage Therapist, Homeopathic Practitioner
I grew up in these sweet hills, second child in a family of eight kids. Family snapshots often show me bouncing one of the babies on my hip or holding a pet, as nurturing came naturally. That nurturing inclination, plus a keen interest in health and a desire to work with my hands, found perfect expression when I studied massage therapy in 1986. Massage is such a basic and kind way of encouraging the body toward health. Not only did I love learning about anatomy and physiology in great detail, I was also introduced to the world of alternative healing which I’ve been exploring ever since. Homeopathy, which caught my attention soon after, remains the closest thing to magic that I know. Homeopathy can shift a person’s resonance at the deepest levels. Tiny white pills, highly diluted, touch inner dilemmas, freeing a person’s body and mind from expressing that conflict through physical symptoms and emotional strain. Yep, magic. Massage begins healing at the physical level, while homeopathy heals from the energetic level. My third offering, Japanese Acupuncture, addresses both elegantly. It treats our human selves as the microcosms of nature that we are. And acupuncture has so many awesome tools!
Nurture has grown into healing, and my wish for all, to paraphrase an aphorism from Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, is for the mind to be unfettered, the emotions fluid, and the body free enough for the spirit to hold unbounded sway within it; this is how we can dream big, and have the capacity to reach for those dreams.
My styles of massage include Integrated therapeutic massage, borrowing elements of Swedish Massage, Shiatsu, Neuromuscular Therapy, Tui-Na, Cranio-sacral Therapy and Reflexology, as needed. My therapeutic work is specific, but not deep tissue.
Contact: elementist@gmail.com
Megan O'Keefe
Acupuncturist, Herbalist
A local to the area, Megan graduated from Sullivan West before living in the Adirondacks and finally moving to the Finger Lakes region. There, she completed an apprenticeship at Heartstone Herbal School which deepened her love of plants and herbal medicine. This led her to pursue a career in holistic health by attending The Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture in Seneca Falls. She is a New York State licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, who completed hundreds of hours of hands-on clinical training including work at the Canandaigua VA hospital. In 2018, she studied in China at the Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Huangzhou.
Megan uses a variety of holistic and Chinese medicine modalities such as acupuncture, herbs, cupping, gua sha, body work, and dietary therapy to aid each individual in reaching their health goals. She specializes in working with digestive disorders, women’s health, and chronic pain conditions.
Contact: megan@okeefeholistic.com - www.okeefeholistic.com
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Dr. Kathleen Burns-Brandt, DC
Chiropractor
Dr. Kathleen Burns-Brandt was born and raised locally in Liberty. Dr. Burns found a passion for chiropractic in high school after learning how her own health was impacted by her first adjustment when she was 6 months old. Her mother saw that she was having difficulty rolling over, as well as, holding and turning her head. The pediatrician recommended seeing a specialist and warned that she might be behind her age group developmentally. After one chiropractic treatment her parents noticed an immediate change in her demeanor and she rolled over for the first time the following day.
Dr. Burns attended King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She then went on to receive her Doctorate of Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, NY. While at NYCC she met her husband Dr. Thadeus Brandt. After gaining experience while working for other doctors and also owning their own practice in Scranton PA, Dr. Burns and Dr. Brandt returned to Sullivan County with their son Austin to settle down closer to family.
Dr. Burns sees a wide range of patient presentations and populations, but her own experience has driven her to work with women and children, as well as expectant mothers. Dr. Burns has immersed herself in related courses that focus on Women’s Health Issues, Pregnancy and Pediatric Nutrition, and Clinical Pediatrics and Chiropractic Care. She is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and is certified in Webster technique. Webster technique uses specific chiropractic adjustments to improve the neuro-biomechanical functioning of the pelvis. This technique can be administered to expectant mothers to facilitate optimal positioning of moms pelvis for the growing baby.
Contact: kburnsdc@gmail.com
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Dr. Thadeus (TJ) Brandt, DC
Chiropractor
Dr. Thadeus Brandt is an experienced chiropractor who specializes working with athletes at his prior practice in Scranton, PA. In Scranton he partnered with the local running groups and clubs and provided care at the major races in the area including the Scranton Half and Full Marathons which are qualifiers for the Boston Marathon. Dr. Brandt has experience with all age groups of different fitness levels as well.
Dr. Thadeus Brandt grew up in Bloomsburg, PA, a rural community. He went to Wilkes University, where he majored in Biology and Minored in Chemistry while playing soccer and earning a captainship and all conference honors. He then attended New York Chiropractic College where he met his wife Dr. Kathleen Burns-Brandt. They have settled down in the area and started a family with their 1 year old son Austin.
Dr. Brandt became interested in chiropractic in High School. He sustained an injury while water skiing that caused compression fractures in his lower back. He had his first visit to the chiropractor to help him recover from the injury and get him back on the sports field faster. Chiropractic became and continues to be essential to him after that experience.
Contact: thadeusjbrandt@gmail.com
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Kelsy Riley
Rieki Practitioner, Yoga Instructor, Holistic Health & Wellness Coach
Kelsey’s healing journey began with the personal commitment to create a lifestyle of well-being that transformed her health and life. She has studied the principles and foundations of the Buddist and Vedic traditions where she found amazing healing guidance that has been weaved into her life. Kelsey's energy work is based on the principle that our well-being is a direct result of our internal state. Her goal is to inspire and increase the possibilities of transformation through the ancient practices of Reiki for the clients development. She inspires her clients to trust their intuition, live with resiliency and intention, and supports living courageously as they navigate the path of living a wellness lifestyle. Her qualifications include, Certified Reiki Master, Certified Yoga teacher (RYT-200hr), Certified Holistic Health and Wellness Coach (CHHC).
Contact: kelseyrileyrdh@gmail.com
Julia Wittich
Rosen Method and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
Julia is a Certified Rosen Method Bodywork Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Conscious Uncoupling Coach, and Rosen Method Movement Teacher. She has over 20 years of experience as a somatic bodyworker supporting people to grow and flourish through lifes challenges. In her Rosen Method/Somatic Experiencing sessions she uses heart centered presence and touch to calm your nervous system, while approaching with gentle curiosity the places in your body and mind where traumas and beliefs have been stored. As each layer of constriction peels away, you begin to transform from who you learned to be for survival, to who you truly are. In the Conscious Uncoupling Coaching journey she brings her many years of body awareness to midwife individuals thru the trauma of broken relationships.
Contact: www.rosenbyjulia.info
