Welcome to the Institute for Therapeutic Massage (ITM), the only massage therapy school in New Jersey with six locations and multiple hospital affiliations. Established over 15 years ago, Institute for Therapeutic Massage is still operated by the original founder, Lisa Helbig, LMT, who has put together an executive staff of massage therapists and other health-related professionals who are focused on providing you with the education and hands-on skills needed to enter the exciting and dynamic health and wellness industry – as a massage therapist, personal trainer, or shiatsu practitioner. Our graduates are experiencing unprecedented success and job placement rates as they pursue new career paths, and our intention is to help you do the same. Never before have the opportunities for multi-dimensional massage therapists been so great!

Welcome to the first step on the road to the most rewarding career you’ll ever have, one that offers limitless opportunities to create positive and lasting change in the lives of others while still allowing you to make a decent living, experience less stress, have more flexibility and control, and achieve an overall higher quality of life. Enjoy the journey. We look forward to sharing your vision with you soon, and invite you to come visit our massage therapy school.

Programs

Our Massage & Bodywork Program is a 620-hour, New Jersey state-approved course. Upon successful completion, graduates will have received comprehensive training in the art and science of massage therapy. This includes the study of anatomy, physiology, myology, pathology, medical terminology, business, ethics, and various massage modalities. The student will also be competent in performing Swedish massage, medical massage, and other massage forms, and will be able to communicate effectively with their client and attending medical personnel. This course is offered at all six of our massage school locations, with various schedules available to meet the needs of our students. The Massage and Bodywork Program not only meets the requirements of New Jersey's certification standards, but also exceeds most state requirements, while reflecting the most current techniques and research. Graduates are prepared to sit for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCE) that is offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). For more information on scheduling at each location, check out our calendar. Institute for Therapeutic Massage maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of no more than 8:1 in the hands-on practice class and no more than 20:1 in the lecture class, ensuring effective and individualized attention and support. Upon meeting the graduation requirements, studenst will receive certificates acknowledging their competency in massage therapy as well as formal copies of their transcripts. Graduates will have ample hands-on experience and stamina to work in a spa, salon, medical practice, health club, or cruise ship, as well as other venues. They will also have the opportunity to go into private practice.

Our Eastern Bodywork Program / Shiatsu is ideal for those who are looking to become a Shiatsu practitioner. Prior students have also utilized this program to acquire the additional hours required to sit for various out-of-state licensing boards. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have a thorough knowledge of eastern philosophies and Shiatsu as well as how the body works through training in anatomy and physiology, pathology, myology, kinesiology and neurology. Students will also know the 12 primary meridians and major points along them, body mechanics, stretches, Hara diagnosis and back evaluation. Students will also study five-element theory using basic associations and patterns of disharmony and relationships within the generation and control cycles. By the end of the program, students will be able to structure a one-hour Shiatsu session with any client for maximum effectiveness, either alone or incorporated into their Swedish massage. The Eastern Bodywork Program, when combined with the Massage and Bodywork program, provides a curriculum that exceeds all state requirements (with regards to the number of hours of attendance) while reflecting the most current techniques and research. If there are any additional requirements not built into the program due to an individual states licensure demands, the student is welcome to fulfill said requirements at no additional cost. Graduates are prepared and eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination (NCE) in Massage and Bodywork. This program is currently only available at the Pompton Lakes and Red Bank location.

The Massage Therapy & Personal Training Program contains both in-class teaching and supervised, hands-on gym/massage time. It was developed to accommodate the growing need for qualified health and wellness professionals. Combined, this gives the student one of the most comprehensive courses to date. This program is also suitable for those who are adding skills to their current profession as healthcare workers in nursing, massage, or other health-related fields. Upon completion of this program, graduates will have received extensive knowledge in the art and science of human movement, nutrition, exercise, and bodywork. You will also have the ability to perform massage for wellness and sports, assess a client's state of fitness, and recommend -- as well as implement -- a safe fitness, nutritional, weight management, and wellness program in a variety of settings. All graduates who successfully complete the program will receive an Institute for Therapeutic Massage Therapy and Personal Training Certificate. They will be prepared to take the national certification examination given by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCE). They will also qualify for New Jersey state certification as a massage therapist. As of this writing, New Jersey does not require a license as a personal trainer. Licensing varies from state to state so please check with the individual state.

Oncology Massage Certification Program Scientists have long known that there are many causes of cancer in human beings, but not until the last part of the twentieth century did they develop the technology to allow early detection, and the non-surgical methods of treatment that has resulted in much higher survival rates. Unfortunately, along with the ability to treat this disease, has come an increased prevalence that some consider to be reaching epidemic proportions. According to the National Cancer Institute, as of January 1, 2003, there were approximately 10,496,000 men and women in the United States who were either living with, or had a history of cancer in their lives. Progressive hospitals, researchers and medical practitioners have been increasingly recognizing the benefit of alternative treatment methodologies when developing their client care protocols. This is supported by the fact that prestigious institutions such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore have been adding massage therapists to their staff as the benefit of medical massage / touch therapy has demonstrated both physical and psychological benefits for the patients. The greatest limiting factor in these advancements is a lack of training programs and certified practitioners to provide the type of care that is needed. The Oncology Massage Certification Program (OMCP) was developed to accommodate the fast growing need for qualified health and wellness professionals interested in performing medical massage on patients who currently have, or are a survivor of cancer. Along with traditional therapeutic techniques, students will learn how to incorporate supportive and palliative care for oncology patients into their application of the art and science of massage therapy. The OMCP is a 769-hour, NJ State approved massage therapy course. It is also the first COMTA accredited program of its kind in the United States. It meets the requirements of New Jersey's certification standards, and provides the student with the knowledge needed to take the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.