WHO I AM AND WHAT I DO

Alexis Dougherty

Owner/ NCLMBT #15816

I was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but have been in North Carolina since I was 4. I graduated from Holly Springs High School in 2013, then went to Wake Technical Community College for their massage therapy program! I graduated and received my massage license in 2016 and began working immediately and haven't looked back since! In 2022, I got an itch to expand my wings further and open Kneaded Escapes, and now here we are!I chose massage therapy as my career when I was in middle school, after I fell off a rock wall and seriously injured my back. I essentially tried everything I could to relieve my pain, except massage. Since allowing massage therapy into my life, I have seen it's healing powers, as my back pain is significantly less (because lets be honest, are we ever 100% pain free?)! Massage therapy has truly worked wonders for me, and I love being able to help others in their pain relief, as it did for me.

Jennifer Rickard

NCLMBT #21038

I am originally from Frederick, Maryland, but have lived in North Carolina since I was 6. I graduated from Harnett Central High School in 2018, and went to Central Carolina Community College for continuing education. It wasn’t until January 2022 that I took the big step to start the Massage Therapy program. Upon graduation, I then received my license in Massage Therapy in April 2023!

I have always been interested in how the body works and traditional healing practices. While being a private care giver for a few years, I found that I truly enjoy helping people and making their lives more manageable. I believe that massage therapy is a great way to promote relaxation, reduce stress, ease pain, and promote healing mechanisms. I am passionate about helping people move forward with their wellness goals and giving them the chance to live life more fully with the help of massage therapy .

In addition to practicing massage therapy, I also enjoy cooking, baking and going on hikes with my 2 Great Danes!

Emily Bruce

NCLMBT #19600

I am originally from Florida but made the decision to move to North Carolina in 2020 after over a decade of my family living in the area. I have had an interest in holistic forms of healthcare since I was in my late teens, which led me to studying massage therapy and receiving my license in 2016. It is truly a joy to see both new and regular clients each day and take part in the improvement of their muscular health and overall wellness.

Sheila Delhagen

NCLMBT #17794

I have always been fascinated by the human body and psyche. I graduated In Health Promotion and minored in Sociology at Appalachian State university. Shortly after graduating, I found yoga and fell in love with its holistic approach to healing. As I continued my daily practice of yoga, I experienced greater awareness of my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual states. The practice showed me how thoughts and emotions are extremely connected to the physical body.

To gain a deeper understanding of holistic healing, I received training at ‘The Healing Arts and Massage School’ in Raleigh in level II reiki and massage therapy. After graduating, I explored polarity therapy and received certification as a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner (BCPP).

I am trained in deep tissue, MFR, sports massage, reiki, reflexology and lymphatic massage. Before I took my maternity leave in August of 2023, I was the sports massage therapist for UNC basketball and golf team.