David Dalbey , October, 2019
Since graduating in 2016 as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) from Green River College in Auburn, WA, I have been exposing clients to the world of Facial Counterstrain (FCS). I have always been drawn to the manual portion of physical therapy. After my first experience witnessing the effectiveness that FCS provides, I said to myself, “I have to learn this!” and never turned back. Chronic pain complexity and other “odd” presentations that doctors struggle to provide answers for is a welcome challenge. I have a genuine interest in helping each individual as a person, not a number. Also, I love working with all age groups from pediatrics to geriatrics, catering to their specific needs to unlock their pain puzzle. Many clients are intrigued with the speed of recovery and lasting results that comes from the gentle movements and/or compressions of FCS. This consistent exposure of success has inspired me to continue advancement in education, immersing myself more in FCS. Among all the specialty techniques that blend into my tool box, Fascial Counterstrain has proven to be the most effective and rewarding.
Over the years, my goal to provide the highest quality of care was progressively being limited by insurance companies. To allow freedom of specialized treatment, I decided to return to school for additional licensure. Graduating from the International Institute of Massage Therapy in Idaho Falls, ID, 2025 with Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) credentials; I now have zero restrictions and will forever continue learning through the Jones Institute and my clients. I believe everyone has the right to live as pain free as possible and personally strive for clients to reach that goal.
Cristina began studying Strain Counterstrain (SCS) in 2003 through the Jones Institute and expanded her training to Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) in 2016. She has since pursued completion of the full FCS and Counterstrain Academy curriculum toward mastery.
She now uses FCS almost exclusively, as it has profoundly shaped her practice. Its ability to help patients with unresolved or complex conditions inspired her to dedicate herself fully to this method. She continues advanced training in FCS, drawn by its holistic and system-based approach—which consistently delivers some of the most effective and lasting outcomes she has seen in her career.
“Counterstrain has reshaped my work as a physical therapist and deepened my commitment to helping others through this remarkable technique. It offers a powerful and lasting way to relieve pain and restore function by addressing the root causes of dysfunction.”
Cristina is the founder and owner of Calyx Physical Therapy in San Francisco, CA.
Shannon is the owner Sage Care Langley, opened in 2019 after running a PT clinic for 13 years. She graduated at the top of her class from the University of Rhode Island with her MSPT. Shannon has advanced training in Counterstrain having taken all coursework through the Jones Institute and is a Board Certified Specialist in the Strain and Counterstrain technique and Certified in Fascial Counterstrain. Shannon is a Certified Instructor for the Jones Institute.
Shannon is the mother of two boys and is supported by a wonderful husband. She loves hiking, biking, swimming, and playing with her family.
Blondel graduated from EWU with a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2005. His training is very diverse and includes various manual therapy approaches. He has trained with the NAIOMT, the Mulligan institute, the Barral institute for visceral and neural meningeal work, and he is proficient with PRRT, PNT and TMR. Since moving to LHPT, Blondel was introduced to and has learned FCS and SCS and is now using it as his primary treatment tool. He loves to learn and find effective ways to help his patients. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Joe graduated from Hahnemann University (now Drexel University) Physical Therapy school in 1991. He practiced traditional physical therapy for the first 6 years until he took his first Jones Counterstrain course. Shortly thereafter, he launched a private practice clinic and began treating patient with Counterstrain on a regular basis. He took all the Jones Counterstrain courses and became Jones Certified in 2008. In 2010, Joe took his first Fascial Counterstrain course. He has since taken all of the Fascial Courses as they have become available and now employs Fascial Counterstrain nearly 100% of the time in his clinic. People travel from neighboring states and from large distances within the State of Texas to come for treatment. Joe practiced in Plainview Texas (in the Texas Panhandle) for 21 years in a clinic called Cunningham Chiropractic and Therapy. In 2021, he closed the West Texas clinic and works full time in San Antonio at his new clinic Texas Manual Therapy.
Kyle was formally trained as a Naturopath, practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a Shiatsu and Remedial Massage Therapist. He has attended at least once: all the Classic Jones Counterstrain courses courses offered through the Jones Institute in Australia from 2010-2013; and all the Fascial Counterstrain courses offered in Australia from 2014-2019. In Oct 2019 he attended the first Counterstrain Mastery course ever offered in Australia by the Counterstrain Academy, in Melbourne. After some wonderful clinical results, he is passionate about introducing his clients to this wonderful system of assessment and treatment, especially since, as a Naturopath, his clients present for help with far more than just musculo-skeletal problems! He practises from Guanaba, and Mudgeeraba, two different clinic locations in Queensland, Australia. Please feel free to call or book online at either location through the ‘Online Booking Portal’ link on the Conscious Healing Website Front Page, or through the links on the Appointments Tab.
Emanuele graduated in Italy in 2005 with honors and practiced there for 4 years before moving to the United States. In the U.S. he furthered his education by completing a transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Regis University in Denver, CO, again graduating with honors. He is licensed in the State of Wisconsin and has 18 years experience working in a variety of settings which include, but are not limited to: skilled nursing facilities, home care, outpatient clinic, water therapy, hospital inpatient, manual therapy.
Emanuele’s passion is manual therapy and in particular, Fascial Counterstrain Technique. He began working with Daulton Physical Therapy and Fitness in 2016. Through Jolene Daulton, Emanuele was introduced to the Fascial Counterstrain technique shortly after, and has continued his studies in this approach and obtained CSC 1 certification in 2023. In 2025 he became a Teaching Assistant (TA) for all FCS courses, and he’s working hard to become a Lab Instructor.
Emanuele also has a certification in Lymphedema Management (Leduc Method), and is BLS and CPR certified
Emanuele’s believes that each patient is unique and the whole body needs treatment in order to achieve proper healing. The patient is a key part of the healing process, and as such has a determining role in designing the plan of care and the goals of treatment.
When Emanuele is not treating patients he enjoys spending time with his family, playing music and playing basketball.
I am an experienced physical therapist located in the Greater Milwaukee area. After earning my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Carroll University in 2007, I pursued formal training in Fascial Counterstrain beginning in 2012. In 2024, I branched out into assisting in classes to help grow this amazing technique.
I consider myself fortunate to help individuals from diverse backgrounds reduce or eliminate chronic pain. Witnessing the positive impact of FCS on hundreds of individuals has been immensely rewarding, and I am grateful to contribute to this rapidly evolving field of therapy.
