True Freedom Is Not the Absence of Structure

“True freedom is not the absence of structure –

but rather a clear structure that enables people to work within established boundaries in an

autonomous and creative way.”

–Erich Fromm

Dear Student,

Welcome to TLC! This is an exciting and

challenging program, full of work and fun.

Most of what you will need to be aware of

regarding how things work here is contained

in this handbook and in your Academic

Catalog. Please remain familiar with their

contents. They are offered in the spirit of the

quote above.

Yours in health,

David Lauterstein & John Conway

Table of Contents

Educational Goals 4

General Information 6

Faculty and Staff, TLC Library

TLC Programs 8

Program Outlines, Course Descriptions, Schedule of Classes

Admissions 11

Attendance Requirements 12

Illness, Tardy, Not Participating, Absences, Class Hour Requirements,

Internship Requirements

Make-up Classes 14

Academic Standards 15- 16

Grade Reports, Probation, Grades, Graduation requirements

Academic Policies and Procedures 17

Assignments and Tests, Cancellation of Classes, Breaks, Private Teaching

Sessions, Outside Massages, Student Massage Forms, Student Records

Student Conduct 18

Sexual Harassment 19

Grievance 19

Appeal Process, Dismissal 19

Withdrawal Procedure 20

Refund Policy 20-21

Classroom/Building Policies 21 -23

Dress Code, Visitors, Following Instructions, Teacher Supervision, Partners,

Draping, Linens and Tables, Housekeeping, Cubicle Rental, Turning In Work,

Getting Work Back, Food and Drinks,

What to Bring 23

Additional Information 23 -24

Administrative Offices, Copier, Your Space, Noise Level, Student Phone,

Filtered Water, Lost & Found, Recycle, Bottles, Spills, Smoking,

School Property, Parking

Tuition and Fees 25 - 26

Tuition Payments, Late Payments, Individual Subject Fee, Credit for Prior

Training, Practical Evaluations Fee, Tutorial Fee, Table Rental, Cubicle Rental,

NSF Fee, Additional Student Expenses, Transcript and Certificate Fee

Textbooks & TLC Store Return Policy 27

Transcript and Certificate Fee & Schedule of Fees 27

History of TLC

The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School (TLC) was founded in 1989. The core curriculum has been developing since 1982 when David Lauterstein began teaching Deep Massage and the Anatomy Training Program at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy. These programs proved fertile ground for more development as John Conway and David Lauterstein later co-evolved the curriculum at the Texas School of Massage Studies (1985-1989). The Lauterstein-Conway School was founded to provide a supportive environment for education and healing through the teaching, administration, and physical and spiritual context in which we learn.

Now with over twenty years, we have expanded our curriculum to include 500 hours of Basic Professional Training and over 350 hours of continuing education each year. Our 500-Hour Program is an outstanding and thorough training in Swedish, Sports and Deep Massage, which interweaves clinical, structural, and integrative bodywork.

We offer advanced programs in pregnancy massage, Deep Massage: The Lauterstein Method, Zero Balancing, Shiatsu, and Clinical Massage Therapy.

Philosophy

We are dedicated to graduating massage therapists who can be therapeutically masterful, economically successful, and personally fulfilled. We hope that we, as well as each graduate, can make the world a better place in which to live.

It is our mission to run the school in a manner as healing as the subjects we teach. In every respect we attempt to practice what we preach. We strongly believe that health is as much a global as individual issue. We hope that we, as well as each graduate, can make the world a better place in which to live.

The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School donates a minimum of 5% of our annual net profit to environmental groups and other organizations benefiting the ecosystem.

Our school was founded on the belief that people want and deserve radiant health of body, mind, and spirit. We believe fundamentally that each person contains everything he/she needs for health. Massage therapy is the fascinating vocation of facilitating this self-healing capacity for each individual.

Our educational approach is holistic – committed to honoring the spirit as well as the body and mind. Therefore, we balance technical studies in massage, anatomy, and physiology with the development of each student’s creativity, graceful movement, and capacity for compassionate touch.

Our society has under-emphasized the requisites for basic health, an honored environment, deeply satisfying work, and life-long learning with body, mind and spirit, and nourishing relationships. All too often we struggle with frustrating work, education that is not life-oriented, and a social emphasis on satisfaction through buying things, rather than relating healthily to ourselves and to one other.

We have lost some of our closeness with the land, other people, and ourselves. The study and practice of the unique discipline of massage therapy can help break this pattern. Touch is real. It gets us in touch with who we really are.

Educational Goals

Massage and Bodywork Technique

• To learn and demonstrate proficiency in the theory, history, and practice of Swedish massage, Sports massage, structural bodywork, Deep massage, and Shiatsu.

• To show sensitivity to the body, mind, and emotions of one’s self, one’s clients, and fellow students in class and internship.

Anatomy and Physiology

• To have and to demonstrate a basic understanding of all the anatomical and physiological systems especially in their relationship to massage therapy and related modalities. Particularly, to show proficiency in musculoskeletal anatomy and the A&P of tissue injury and healing.

Career Development and Professional Ethics

• To learn and show the acquisition of business skills: overall value-based planning, marketing, policy setting, financial planning and projections.

• To use the internship and practice of massage as a context to refine therapeutic and professional skills including communication, record keeping and punctuality.

• To show the ability to write a thorough, well thought-out business plan.

• To understand and demonstrate the importance of professionalism regarding legalities, hygiene, dress, punctuality, clarity of policies and ethical behavior.

Student Benefits

Lauterstein Conway is currently trying to go green by offering students resources via our website. On the TLCschool.com website there is a “current students” webpage that will have important announcements, information about National Certification, State Licensure, sign ups for make-up nights and sign ups for “sit ins” with other programs.

Other benefits:

Demos on Advanced Modalities
Discounts on TLC Store (bulk textbook packages only)
Tutorials are available from TLC faculty at a reasonable price
Class Audits

Alumni Benefits

We also post job openings regularly online and in our student lounge and have a job fair and networking events each year for students, alumni and employees. We maintain a lending library of books, massage magazines, videos, CDs and DVDs for students and graduates to easily support their continued learning.

Alumni are kept well informed of school developments and events of interest through our monthly newsletter “TLC Times”, periodic mailings, and our Alumni page on our website:

Other Benefits:

Discounts on Continuing Education Units (CEU)
Invitations to speak at TLC Events (e.g. demos, free CEU opportunities and more)
Opportunities to participate in panel discussion with other graduates, LMTs and employers

Our Student Body

We are very proud of the people who choose to attend our school. We are happy to attract intelligent, caring, curious, and well-educated people from every walk of life. Students come from a variety of backgrounds – the computer industry, sports, the arts, music, physical therapy, nursing, the legal profession, the restaurant business, construction, government, cosmetology, counseling, etc.

Some students enroll immediately upon high school or college graduation. Other students are in the process of a mid-life career change or self-development path. Our students form groups that support each other in the learning process. This atmosphere makes learning easier, more fun, and more profound.

General Information

Staff

Admissions

Heidi Shavor 374-9222 x14 ()

Front Desk, Customer Service, Retail, and Table Sales

Jackie Rangel 374 – 9222 x10 ()

Retail Hours:

Monday – 10:00am – 6:30pm (lunch 1:30 -2:30pm)

Tuesday- Friday – 8:30 – 5:00pm (lunch 1:30 -2:30pm)

Workshop Registrar

Jackie Rangel 374-9222 x 10 ()

Bookkeeper/Tuition Payments

Eric Tebbetts 374-9222 x12 ()

Student Administrator: Attendance, grades, probation, or withdrawal

Sophia Delfin 374-9222 x13 ()

Student Counselor

Sophia Delfin 374 -9222 x13 ()

John Conway (by appointment) 374-9222 x23 ()

David Lauterstein (by appointment) 374-9222 x20 ()

Scheduling Coordinator/ Private Teaching Sessions

John Conway 374 -9222 x23 ()

Internship Clinic

Julie Renfro 374-9222 x 17 ()

Student Assignment Coordinator

Cheryl Manning 374-9222 x16 ()

Marketing/Sales

Kelli Horan 374 – 9222 x 25 ()

TLC Library

We have available in our library over 200 books, and many videos/DVDs. DVDs are kept at the front desk, videos and books are located in the student lounge. Students and graduates may check out books in circulation for 2 weeks (some are for reference only), and videos for 1 week. Please contact the front desk to check out any of these materials. A late fee of $.50/day is charged on overdue items.

Faculty and Staff

We are dedicated to each student’s receiving caring attention and closely supervised instruction. In all practical classes the ratio of faculty to students will never exceed 1: 15 (one instructor for 7 tables). For lecture classes (of whatever size) there will be one teacher.

Core Faculty

Cindy Anderson, L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Asian Bodywork

Gretchen Cole, B.S., L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage, Hydrotherapy

John Conway, B.A., L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Co-Director; Certified Sports Massage Therapist, Instructor of Sports Massage, Anatomy and Physiology, Hydrotherapy, and Health and Hygiene.

Tammie Culley, L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage, Clinical Bodywork, Deep Massage, Integrative Bodywork, Advanced Integrative Bodywork, Hydrotherapy

Kazuko DeVirgilio, L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Clinical Bodywork, Deep Massage, Structural Bodywork, Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology

Hannah Ford, L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage, Clinical Bodywork, Deep Massage, Integrative Bodywork, Advanced Integrative Bodywork, Hydrotherapy

Christopher Fritel, B.A., L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage, Anatomy and Physiology

David Lauterstein, B.A., L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Co-Director; Instructor of Clinical Bodywork, Deep Massage, Integrative Bodywork, Advanced Integrative Bodywork, Business Practice, Zero Balancing, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology

Shannon Linahan, L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage

Shane Melear, L.M.T & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish, Additional Technique, Health & Hygiene, Hydrotherapy, Anatomy & physiology, Pathology and Kinesiology

Michael Self, M.S., C.F.C., L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage, Anatomy and Physiology

Robert Steine, L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Clinical Bodywork, Deep Massage, Structural Bodywork, Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology

Keith Vencill, L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Clinical Bodywork, Deep Massage, Structural Bodywork, Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology

Molly Williams L.M.T. & M.T.I. Assistant Clinical Director

Assistant Clinical Director. Assistant Instructor of Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Clinical Bodywork, Deep Massage, Structural Bodywork, Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology

Additional Faculty

Lori Dupree, L.M.T.

Instructor of Pathology

Janet Hutchinson, L.M.T., P.T.

Instructor of Pathology

Roni Kendall

Instructor of Pathology

Craig Matthews, L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage

Anne Marie Palmer, B.S., L.M.T. & M.T.I.

Instructor of Swedish Massage & Deep Massage

Dena Roberts, L.M.T.

Instructor of Psychology of Bodywork

Steven Stump, L.M.T.

Instructor of Pathology

Jonathan Sullivan

Instructor of Pathology

Marsha Walker, M.S., R.N., L.M.T.

Instructor of Physiology

The Lauterstein- Conway Programs

State Licensure, National Certification, Approvals

The 500-Hour Program for State Licensing and National Certification- This includes Swedish massage training and Advanced Training Hours in Deep Massage, Sports Massage, and Clinical Applications of Massage Therapy.

After completion of this program you can become a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Texas and Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage.

The Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services approves all Lauterstein-Conway Massage School programs. The State Approving Agency, Texas Veterans Commission also approves TLC to train veterans.

Continuing Education and National Certification Programs

The State of Texas requires all therapists to take a minimum of twelve hours of continuing education every two years. Therefore, in addition to our advanced certification programs, Lauterstein-Conway offers Graduate Seminars and superb workshops several times a year, usually with a 10% discount for our graduates and students. The National Certification Board approves all Graduate Seminars and continuing education workshops at The Lauterstein- Conway Massage School for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, in addition to the State of Texas. Lauterstein-Conway is the only school in Central Texas with NCBTMB approval for its continuing education.

Program Outline and Course Descriptions

500-Hour Program Description (For State Licensure and National Certification)

This 500-hour Program at Lauterstein-Conway gives you the skills to be a successful massage therapist virtually anywhere in the world. It provides a solid and imaginative education in the theory and practice of massage therapy. This Program includes the 500 hours required by the Texas Department of State Health Services and most states in the U.S. to become licensed as a massage therapist.

Swedish Massage (125 hours)

Swedish massage forms the basis of the contemporary Western approach to massage. These courses includes history, contraindications, body mechanics, basic strokes (effleurage, petrissage,friction, vibration, tapotement

And Swedish movements) and working with special populations (pregnancy massage, geriatric massage, etc.). Our approach is to be precise and thorough in teaching soft tissue manipulation, while cultivating mindfulness regarding the body, mind, and spirit of the client.

Sports Massage (9 hours)

These courses help develop the student’s overall understanding of kinesiology, the role various muscles play in

particular activities. Students learn advanced circulatory massage and stretching techniques. Practice on athletes, and individualized instruction enables the student to work confidently with this very important and active group of people.

Deep Massage (27 hours)

This unique approach, developed by our schools co-founder David Lauterstein, is an outgrowth from the

traditions of Rolfing, Zero Balancing, and other advanced bodywork disciplines. Students learn to contact

both clients’ structure and energy, especially in the deeper muscle layers. Students learn myofascial anatomy, its

relevance to pain and tension, and over 70 new myofascial release techniques. This approach utilizes trigger points, deep effleurage, cross-fiber work, and other advanced techniques to help clients more permanently live without unnecessary tension and pain. Deep Massage as we teach it is an approach which is both easier on the therapist and more effective for the client.

Kinesiology (50 hours)

Students learn the kinesiology of everyday movement, occupations, and sports activities. Students will learn the

actions of all the major muscles, and how they work together to orchestrate movement. Students will also learn

how chronic muscle tension can give rise to pain, postural and movement imbalances. This will form a basis for

students practicing superb session design tailored to the individual needs of the client.

Hydrotherapy (20 hours)

Theory and practical use of water of various temperatures, in solid, liquid and gaseous forms, for cleansing and vitalizing effects; also, students learn contraindications and the specific physiological effects of the various

hydrotherapy techniques, which include: dry brushing, herbal wrap, hot and cold applications, and contrast

baths.

Clinical Massage Therapy (28.5 hours)

Lauterstein-Conway students learn clinical massage therapy to address musculoskeletal problems. Often our clients come referred by physicians. In clinical massage, students learn advanced techniques and how to

analyze problems related to chronic or acute injury, poor posture, movement imbalances, and/or life stresses. They learn how to respond to these problems with appropriate applications of circulatory massage, deep massage, myofascial release, cross fiber work and trigger point therapy. Students learn integrative session design to address each client’s unique problem and nature with sensitivity and

technical expertise.

Shiatsu (10.5 hours)

With the growing interest in acupuncture, acupressure, shiastu, and Thai Massage, it is very helpful for graduates to have familiarity with Asian bodywork. Students will learn basic Asian bodywork theory: yin/yang, the five elements, the meridians, and some key acupressure points. They will also learn practical sequences of shiatsu for the back, front and sides of the body.

Human Anatomy and Human Physiology (75 hours)

Pehr Henrik Ling, the founder of Swedish massage, said “We ought not to consider the organs of the body as

the lifeless forms of a mechanical mass, but as the living, active instruments of the soul.” We take this approach to the study of anatomy and physiology. We consider not only the mechanics of each system, but also its role in life and the positive impact massage therapy may have on it. The systems covered include the muscular, skeletal, integumentary, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, respiratory, nervous and endocrine systems.

Pathology (40 hours)

These courses include medical terminology, pathology for each body system, psychological and emotional states (depression, anxiety, grief, etc.), effects of life stages (childhood, geriatric, etc.), physiological healing processes,

basic pharmacology, the physical and emotional effects of healthy use and abuse/trauma, contraindications

and indications for specific diseases, injuries and types of massage.

Human Health and Hygiene (20 hours)

These courses include communication skills, boundaries, ethics, professional attire, self-care, sensuality and massage, movement skills, diet, exercise, use of disinfectants, universal precautions, first aid and CPR.