Rebecca Smith, LMT & Felicia Newsome, LMT
Two therapists. One shared vision. A partnership built on trust, education, and elevating the massage profession
July 2026
Nominated and written by: Liv B. Well, Membership Engagement Committee
For Felicia Newsome and Rebecca Smith, partnership is built on trust, honesty, and emotional safety. Their ability to communicate clearly, listen without judgment, and remain open to each other’s perspectives is the foundation of everything they’ve created together.
Felicia has been a member of the American Massage Therapy Association since 2001, joining before graduating from the Swedish Institute. Rebecca became a member in 2017 after already spending years in the field. Their paths eventually aligned through years of collaboration, including the development of an oncology massage training program, which ultimately led them to build something of their own.
Felicia and Rebecca first met in 2011 while working on the infusion massage team at NYU Langone Clinical Cancer Center. During their time together, they quickly realized how difficult it was to find massage therapists with specialized knowledge and experience in oncology massage. At the time, very few practitioners worked within hospital settings, and even fewer offered oncology massage in private practice. While collaborating at NYU, they developed a shared understanding of problem-solving and built meaningful projects together. That partnership ultimately led to the development of Felicia’s vision for the Center for Advancement for Therapeutic Arts (CATA) Oncology Massage Specialty Certificate Program, a multi-year initiative created alongside multidisciplinary oncology professionals.
Today, their work spans two interconnected businesses: servicing clients with bodywork and helping practitioners in continuing education, business development, or consulting.
Body Craft Massage Therapy, PLLC, is a client-focused space. Their brick-and-mortar office is led by Rebecca. This clinical practice is where clients receive Oncology Massage, Lymphatic Therapy, CranioSacral Therapy, and Acupuncture.
Advanced Massage Specialty Group (AMS Group), Inc., is headed by Felicia. It is an information hub that supports practitioners through resources such as continuing education, professional development, consulting, and business resources for massage therapists and healthcare organizations. At the core of both is a shared belief that massage therapists deserve sustainable, well-supported careers.
Although each business serves a different purpose, Felicia and Rebecca work equally in both. They both provide hands-on client care through Body Craft Massage Therapy and, through AMS Group, develop educational programs, teach classes, create professional resources, consult with organizations, and collaborate with multidisciplinary practitioners. Their partnership is truly a shared 50/50 collaboration.
Rebecca (left) and Felicia (right) are ready to help.
Their partnership works because of how different they are. Rebecca moves with intention and precision, taking time to process and refine. Felicia brings speed and vision, able to map direction and move ideas forward. Together, they balance depth with momentum, creating work that is both thoughtful and effective.
Both of their paths into massage therapy were shaped by experience. Felicia spent nearly 20 years in the music industry before her intuition led her to massage school, opening the door to a more independent, purpose-driven career.
Rebecca’s background in dance and movement education led her to work with specialized populations, including individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and breast cancer. As her practice evolved, she found it increasingly difficult to justify deep, invasive manual therapy for many of her clients. A colleague introduced her to CranioSacral Therapy, which ultimately led her to Lymphatic Therapy and a treatment approach that better aligned with both her philosophy and her clients’ needs.
What keeps clients and practitioners coming back is simple. Integrity. They lead with care, think critically, and take the time to respond thoughtfully. If they don’t have an answer, they find one or refer out. For them, it’s not about being right, it’s about showing up with honesty and respect.
For those entering the field, their advice is clear. Use the first few years to explore. Work in different environments, continue learning, and receive massage. Understanding the client’s perspective is essential for both skill and longevity. Over time, refine your focus and build a practice that truly aligns with you.
Outside of work, they both value simple, grounding moments. Felicia enjoys walking, traveling, and resting. Rebecca spends her time baking, dancing, and creating. They also share a love of laughter and never miss an opportunity to crack jokes with one another.
Rebecca & Felicia’s work continues to evolve through education, partnership, and community. Every project reflects the same commitment to thoughtful care, lifelong learning, and supporting the massage therapy profession.
When asked what the best part of their work is, their answer was simple:
Everything!✨
They love what they do.
They respect the work.
And they get to do it together.
The AMTA is proud to spotlight Felicia Newsome and Rebecca Smith and their contributions to the massage therapy profession.