MEET OUR STAFF
NICOLE TAIANI, OWNER
Massage Therapist
Nicole has been a licensed massage therapist for over 15 years, specializing in Neuromuscular therapies, pre and postnatal massage and Lomi Lomi. In her years of practice, she has found a wonderful balance between rehabilitation and relaxation.
Graduating from Sarasota School of Massage Therapy in 2004, Nicole has furthered her education by studying aromatherapy, advanced cupping and reflexology. Opening Southern Maine Massage & Wellness in 2015 it is with great appreciation she welcomes you to the practice.
TONY TAIANI, OWNER
Integrative Bodyworker
Tony graduated with his Masters in Athletic Training in 2014 and has been practicing bodywork for over 6 years. He specializes in integrative work with a focus on rehabilitation and recovery. He has a passion for helping athletes and clients alike gain mobility, reduce pain and brings expertise and additional training in strength and conditioning to help clients achieve their bodywork goals. Tony is the co-owner of Southern Maine Massage & Wellness and he welcomes you to the practice.
NICK DEFOREST
Massage Therapist
With focus on deep tissue and neuromuscular massage, Nick works to help restore flexibility and range of motion, relieve pain and stress in the body and provide each of his clients with a relaxing and restorative experience. Nick went to the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences in New York, NY; it was a 2 year program with over 1,000 credited hours of schooling. He has extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology and welcomes you to the Co-Op.
JAKE BLACK
Massage Therapist
Jake is a Licensed Massage Therapist who specializes in Neuromuscular Techniques and has been practicing for many years. Jake is trained in deep tissue, Swedish, foot reflexology, trigger point therapy and focus work. Using fantastic pressures and having an expansive knowledge on how the body operates, Jake is able to hone his practice to fit and suit the individual needs of each client. Jake believes that, like a car, the human body is also a vehicle which needs a tune up once in a while. He understands issues and problem areas that need attention bringing a sense of calm and comforting to every session.
NICOLE COLBY
Massage Therapist
Nicole graduated from Spa Tech Institute in 2009 and has been a licensed massage therapist for ten years and holds a B.S. in Health Science with a minor in Biology and Psychology from the University of Southern Maine. Nicole takes an integrative and comprehensive approach to bodywork and aims to find and "turn" every "stone," leaving you feeling completely relieved and in a state of well-being.
JANNINE GAUDET
Massage Therapist
Jannine has been a Licensed Massaged Therapist for over ten years and is extremely passionate about this career, and finds it extremely rewarding to educate clients on body awareness. She specializes in Deep Tissue Techniques as well as joint mobility and aromatherapy offering an incredible session in Rain Drop Therapy. She is currently studying herbalism through an online program and hopes to integrate it into her future sessions. Through continuing education, Jannine finds new ways to enhance her body work and expand her practice. She looks forward to working with you!
MICHEL FITZ
Massage Therapist
Michel's main goal for the client is to provide a deeply relaxing and nurturing space for healing to unfold. Whether it is gentle polarity work or deep myofascial release, Michel believes that the key to success and muscle relaxation is a mind that is in a deep state of relaxation. They believe that a strong trust bond between practitioner and the person receiving the work is fundamental in the healing process and treats each individual with compassion, consideration and respect for who they are and where they are in their journey of healing. Michel graduated from the holistic massage program at SpaTech Institute in 2016 and has since working in the greater Portland area specializing in myofascial release and integrated energy work. Michel is a non-binary massage therapist and polarity practitioner who goes by they/them pronouns.
STEPH TOMS
Massage Therapist
Steph graduated from SpaTech with a focus on Holistic healing and has since expanded her practice to include deep tissue techniques and Polarity. She is focused on helping her clients reach their bodywork needs.
SAMANTHA BUCKLEY
Massage Therapist
Samantha would like to welcome you to Southern Maine Massage & Wellness and looks forward to working with you. Samantha graduated from Spa Tech and has a specialized focus in headache relief, reflexology, and Integrative Bodywork. She loves to work with clients to find the perfect balance between relaxation and recovery and enjoys setting people on the right track to wellness.
BILL TAIANI
Massage Therapist
Bill has been a Massage Therapist for over 10 years. He was trained at the New Hampshire Institute of Therapeutic Arts in Bridgton, Maine. Educated in Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Techniques, and Trigger Point Therapy, he also incorporates long soothing strokes to help calm and unwind. Bill has a strong passion for helping his clients find balance and relaxation, making each session a customized massage for the client’s needs and well-being.
LINDSEY HERSEY
Massage Therapist
Lindsey has been licensed and practicing massage for 17 years. She specializes in deep tissue, structural analysis, pregnancy massage, and holistic modalities. She is a recent graduate of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition earning herself a Health Coaching Certificate focusing on women’s health, nutrition, and fitness!
Lindsey is also a Reiki Master Teacher and fitness instructor bringing a “full circle” approach to her coaching and bodywork sessions. With over 20 years of experience in the service industry, a vast knowledge base of herbal remedies, integrative healing modalities, medically based interventions, and mothering 2 exceptional boys, Lindsey brings a whole body approach to her treatments allowing her clients to achieve greater results in less time.
AURA RAVENCRAFT
Massage Therapist
Aura has over 10 years of experience, with a special interest in Thai Yoga, Yoga, and Reiki. She has also worked in medical environments utilizing both Western and Eastern modalities. Aura attended the National Holistic Institute in California learning a wide variety of skills including Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage, Prenatal Massage, Swedish and Deep Tissue. She also traveled to India to receive her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training certification (E-RYT 200) and Chiang Mai, Thailand for Level 1-3 Thai Yoga Massage, Thai Herbal Compress, and Thai Foot Reflexology certifications. She is also a Reiki Master Teacher, certified through Sacred Valley Healing Center in Mount Shasta, CA. Aura likes to meet her clients “where they are at” regarding their massage goals whether they be practical, transcendent, transformational or to simply reach a state of tranquility. She looks forward to meeting and applying a tailored approach to your massage experience!
MEGAN NEWELL
Massage Therapist
Megan graduated from Mountain Heart School of Bodywork in Colorado in 2013, where she completed their 1,000 hour program, learning a wide range of modalities. Megan offers a unique blend of Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular techniques, Reflexology, Acupressure and Energy Work to help her clients restore their inner balance. Megan specializes in Prenatal Massage and loves to help support Moms on their Pregnancy and Postpartum journey.
ASHLEY ELLIS
Esthetician
Ashley is a passionate individual who has two goals: give love and give confidence. We are all better humans when we're happy and if she can help you to be happy and confident in your own skin, her life is fulfilled. Your skin is as unique as you are and Ashley is up to the challenge of giving you a personalized experience that will leave you feeling truly cared for and heard.
CARALYNNE DALL
Esthetician
Caralynne graduated from Spa Tech Institute in Maine and has been an esthetician for over 10 years. Her passion for skincare drove her to further her education leading her to become a medical assistant. After successfully graduating, she was able to work alongside a Mohs surgeon at Dermatology Associates. And to complement her work experience, Cara has been certified in Paramedical Esthetics and in Nano-needling. Now with a deeper knowledge and understanding of how the skin works, she is ready to assess and customize your skincare needs.
Offering a full esthetics menu, Cara cannot wait to meet you and help bring rejuvenation and relaxation into your life!
NICOLE FINNERTY
Esthetician
Nicole attended Spa Tech Institute but was initially interested in skincare years ago, as a way to practice self-care when going through a rough point in life, and over time she grew more passionate about it. She finally took the plunge and applied to Spa Tech so that she could have a job doing something she truly cared about. Nicole is super happy to be able to work with you all!
TABATHA AUBE
Esthetician
Tabatha has been passionate about skincare for years. She attended Spa Tech Institute and pursued a career in skincare to learn more about taking care of the largest organ, our skin! As a licensed Esthetician, Tabatha feels that less can be more and a comprehensive approach to skincare is best. Tabatha can help you navigate your skincare routines and help you have a nurturing skincare experience.
SONIA POTTHOFF
Esthetician
Sonia graduated from Colby-Sawyer College in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and Chemistry minor. She is a certified nursing assistant with 6 years of experience in the medical field and is eager to learn more in the medical and esthetics field. Sonia recently graduated from Spa Tech Institute and wants to continue her education and expand her knowledge in the aesthetics world following a holistic and medical approach. She is a loving wife and pet parent to two dogs and one kitty.