1. Introduction 

Bear River Institute of Healing Arts (“BRIHA”) is a private, postsecondary school located
at 29 Banks Ford Parkway, Suite 109, Fredericksburg, VA 22406. BRIHA currently
offers an on-site Massage Therapy Program and is certified by the State Council of
Higher Education in Virginia (“SCHEV”) to operate in Virginia. BRIHA does not currently
offer distance education in its Massage Therapy Program.

2. Purpose and History of BRIHA
The institutional purpose of BRIHA is to provide state-of-the-art education and training
in the practice of massage therapy. The rationale for opening the school is to increase
the number of competent and qualified licensed massage therapists in the greater
Fredericksburg area (Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties and the City of
Fredericksburg). BRIHA obtained certification in Virginia by SCHEV to be able to train
professionals to sit for licensure in Virginia and other states in order to obtain a license
to practice as a Licensed Massage Therapist.

The purpose of BRIHA is to offer holistic and integrative training in massage therapy,
including the topics of anatomy and physiology; massage techniques (including but not
limited to Swedish and Deep Tissue); energy modalities (Reiki and Qi Gong); pathology;
professional ethics and communication; business and marketing; and hands-on Clinic
hours. These instructional topics provide the student with a holistic understanding of
both the physical and energetic aspects of human beings as well as an integrative lens
through which to assess and address a variety of clients’ challenges in optimal
functioning. The school’s primary emphasis is on instruction, with a secondary emphasis
on public service by way of student clinic hours.

All of BRIHA’s instruction is in-person and offered at BRIHA’s location at 29 Banks Ford
Parkway, Suite 109, Fredericksburg, VA 22406. BRIHA currently offers only a
nondegree program in Massage Therapy.

BRIHA is a new program certified by SCHEV in 2025 from SCHEV, therefore does not
yet have enrollment figures for a most recent academic year. This School Catalog will
be updated after enrollment of students in the fall of 2025, after graduation of the first
class, and after employment data of graduates is available.

3. Recruitment and Admission
BRIHA welcomes students who are interested in an active and vibrant career that helps
clients to manage their daily life, relieve stress, and heal from past physical and
energetic challenges. The minimum requirements for admission to the Massage
Therapy Program include:

1. 18 years of age;
2. A high school diploma or equivalent;
3. A completed application form;

4.Fluent in English;
5. A certification by the prospective student of good moral character (good moral
character is defined as holding and practicing the values of Ahimsa (“do no
harm”), Agape (“unconditional positive regard for others”), and Agency
(“responsibility for one’s own behaviors and actions”));
6. Satisfactory results of a criminal background check and a Central Registry check;
7. Receipt and acceptable review of two (2) completed Reference Letter for
Massage Program Applicant’s Good Moral Character Forms;
8. Payment of a $100 Application Fee.

Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance in writing by US Mail and/or
email.

4. Tuition, Payments and Refunds
Once admitted, the student can expect the following costs associated with the Massage
Therapy Program:

Tuition: $8000 (tuition includes books, school and clinic supplies, and student
insurance). School supplies include a journal, writing instruments and handouts. Clinic
supplies include massage oils and cremes, massage tables, sheets and blankets, room
dividers, and forms for intake, treatment and evaluation of clinic sessions. Student
insurance will be provided from either American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
or Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP).

Total fee for tuition and required books and supplies for the program is $8000.00. A
$300.00 refundable deposit is due with the signed enrollment agreement to complete
the enrollment process. This deposit is applied directly to the first payment of tuition
fees.

Students will have the following options to pay for tuition:
1. pay in full on or before the start of classes; The Student’s $300.00 deposit will be
credited toward this total leaving a remaining balance of $7700.00.
2. pay in four (4) installment payments beginning with one (1) payment of $2000.00
($300.00 deposit plus $1700.00 payment) on or before the start of classes,
followed by three (3) subsequent payments of $2000.00 in four (4) week
intervals, equaling payment in full by Week 12 of the term; or,
3. pay in six (6) installment payments beginning with one (1) payment of $1334.00
($300.00 deposit plus 1034.00 payment) on or before the start of classes,
followed by four (4) subsequent payments of $1333.00 in three (3) week
intervals, and one (1) final payment of $1334.00 equaling payment in full by
Week 16 of the term.

Payment in full will not be required before beginning the program. Payment in full will be
required before receiving a Certificate of Completion for the Massage Therapy Program.

 

a. Refunds​
i. Full Refunds

All fees paid by a prospective student or student applicant, except the nonrefundable
$100 Application Fee, shall be refunded in full to the prospective student or student
applicant under any of the following conditions:

1. The student is not admitted to the program
2. The student does not enroll in the program

Any student applicant signing an enrollment agreement has three (3) business days to
cancel the agreement and obtain a refund of all fees paid, excepting the nonrefundable
$100 Application Fee. After the three (3) business days cancelation period, a student
applicant may cancel their enrollment in writing anytime up to the start of classes and
receive a refund of the total of tuition paid minus a $100 tuition refund fee.

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ii. Nonattendance

Students are encouraged to contact the school administration as soon as practicable if
they are going to miss any regularly scheduled classes. A student missing two (2)
consecutive days of class will be contacted by the school administration to obtain
information about the student’s absences and their intent to continue or withdraw. The
school administration will make three (3) attempts to contact the student using the
contact information in the student’s Enrollment Agreement. If no contact has been made
with the student, they will be considered withdrawn 14 calendar days after their last
attendance. Formal withdrawal from the program by a student must be made in writing
and sent either by USPS certified email to the school or by email to the school’s main
email address. Whichever date is earlier, the receipt of the written withdrawal or 14
calendar days from the last attendance will be the date to calculate the tuition refund for
the student.

Any student who withdraws from the Massage Therapy Program and who has paid
tuition in advance during the term in which they are enrolled shall be entitled to a refund
based on the following guidelines:

• 25% or less of the program completed, any amount paid to BRIHA over $2000.

• 25% to 50% of the program completed, any amount paid to BRIHA over $4000.

• 50% to 75% of the program completed, any amount paid to BRIHA over $6000.

• 75% or more of the program completed, no refund.
   

All refunds shall be remitted to the student within 45 days of the date of withdrawal.

5. Curriculum for BRIHA’s Massage Therapy Program (500 clock hours, 18 week curriculum)

Course Descriptions:
Anatomy & Physiology (“A&P”): 65 clock hours, covering anatomy and physiology.

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Course description: This course develops knowledge of skeletal and body
structure, including bones, joints, facia and other connective tissue, and muscles
and their interaction for optimal functioning. The various body systems that
support life, including the nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, and
the endocrine system are studied to understand how the body’s anatomy and
physiology work together to sustain life.

Pathology and Assessment (“P&A”): 56 clock hours, covering pathology and
contraindications, pharmacology, clinical assessment and documentation.
Course description: Examination of various causes of disease, including
genetics, age, lifestyle, stress, environment and preexisting conditions and their
various effects on physical, metal and spiritual health. Types and sources of pain
is also covered. This course links common pathologies with effective massage
techniques and contraindications for massage interventions. Comprehensive
massage assessment and documentation are taught, including how to assess
contraindications for medications reported by clients.

Kinesiology (“KIN”): 55 clock hours, covering kinesiology.
Course description: The study of human movement integrating knowledge of
anatomy, physiology, gravity and geometry. This course addresses kinesiology as
it applies to both clients and effective and sustainable massage therapy
techniques.

Massage Therapy Practice (“MTP”): 279 clock hours, covering health and hygiene
standard precautions, massage therapy and practice, deep tissue massage, research,
chair massage and student clinic.

Course description: This core course in BRIHA’s massage therapy curriculum is
designed to develop knowledge and build skills for the competent, ethical and
confident practice of massage therapy. All massage skills are taught first with
didactic presentations, then hands on demonstrations, then practice on other
students under faculty supervision. The course is comprised of three modules,
preparing for a massage session, performing a massage session, and Student
Clinic.

 

Topics and hours are broken down as follows:
Preparing for a massage session:

• health and hygiene,

• use of equipment and products,

• creating comfortable and safe space,

• how to understand and use research
   

(20 clock hours didactic and demonstration, 10 clock hours hands-on, totaling
30 clock hours).

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​Performing a massage session:

• draping (5 clock hours didactic and demonstration, 10 clock hours hands-on, totaling 15 clock hours),

• classical and Swedish massage techniques (20 clock hours didactic and demonstration, 74 clock hours hands-on, totaling 94 clock hours),

• introduction to deep tissue massage (10 clock hours didactic and demonstration, 35 clock hours hands-on, totaling 45 clock hours),

•  introduction to prenatal massage (10 clock hours didactic and demonstration, 15 clock hours hands-on, totaling 25 clock hours),

• chair massage techniques and protocols (5 clock hours didactic and demonstration, 15 clock hours hands-on, totaling 20 clock hours),

• documenting a massage session and record keeping (5 clock hours didactic and demonstration, 15 clock hours hands-on, totaling 20 clock hours),

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Student Clinic:

•  time practicing with the public the skills learned in the first two modules (30 clock hours hands-on).
   

Totals of clock hours for Massage Therapy Practice: 75 clock hours didactic and
demonstration, 204 clock hours hands-on, totaling 279 clock hours.

Energy Therapies (“EnT”): 15 clock hours, covering Usui Reiki practice and Chi Gong.
(5 clock hours didactic and demonstration, 10 clock hours hands-on, totaling 15 clock
hours)

Course description: Usui Reiki Levels 1 and 2 are taught in this course, including
Reiki sessions on oneself and incorporating Reiki into a massage practice. In
addition, simple Qi Gong practices are taught and then practiced every school
day during the term. NOTE: Energy Therapies is taught as a professional
therapeutic hands-on application, as required by NCBTMB.

Business & Ethics (“B&E”): 30 clock hours, covering ethical practices and elements
and types of massage business venues.

Course description: Elements of ethical practice are taught, including informed
consent, boundaries, marketing practices, protected health information and office
etiquette. Students will select an established code of ethics to follow. The pros
and cons of various venues of employment as a massage therapist will be
discussed and examined, along with basic business practices of licensing,
insurance, bookkeeping, recordkeeping, marketing, and setting up a massage
therapy practice.

(See attached Addendum A for the Class Schedule for BRIHA’s Fall 2025 term.)
The BRIHA requirement for graduation is 500 clock hours total, and the schedule
includes 532 clock hours available. If a student has an excused absence for scheduled
clock hours during the term, the last clinic day and four days of class allow for time for
make up work during the term.

The Massage Therapy Program curriculum qualifies individuals completing the program
to apply for positions as Massage Therapists - 31-9011.00, as described by the US
Department of Labor, https://www.onetcodeconnector.org/ccreport/31-9011.00

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6. BRIHA Faculty
BRIHA opens its doors to students with two faculty members who are partnering to
combine their talents, experiences and passions into a powerful combination of teaching
state-of-the-art massage therapy and healing.

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Linda Osorio is a highly experienced Licensed Massage
Therapist with nearly 20 years of expertise in the massage and
wellness industry. Throughout her career, she has owned and
operated multiple successful businesses, including Massage
Matters LLC, Stafford Massage and Healing Arts (now sold), and
her current venture, Bear River Massage LLC. Linda has employed
and mentored numerous Licensed Massage Therapists over the
years, helping to elevate the standard of care in the industry.
In 2010, Linda played a key role in establishing the integrative
healthcare program at Mary Washington Hospital, showcasing her dedication to bridging
traditional healthcare with holistic practices. Her commitment to community wellness
extends to volunteering over 200 hours in public schools, providing chair massage to
teachers and staff to promote well-being in educational settings.
Linda’s extensive knowledge encompasses a variety of massage techniques, including
deep tissue, Swedish, sports massage, and holistic modalities. She is deeply committed
to supporting her clients’ health goals while creating a compassionate, personalized
experience. Her passion for healing, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, has made
her a leader in the field of massage therapy and an advocate for holistic health in her
community.

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Thomas Capshew believes that we each have a divine spark
within us and his greatest passion is to support individuals who
are on a path to actualize the spark within them. Energy therapies
are wonderful tools that support that actualization. Tom has been
practicing and teaching Usui Reiki for over twenty years. He
recently retired from the position of Director of Integrative Services
at Conscious Healing, Inc. From 2018 to 2021, Tom was qualified
by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and
Bodywork (“NCBTMB”) as an Approved Provider to offer
continuing education courses in Usui Reiki and in Brain Science.
He has taught at East West Living and Atmananda Yoga in New York City. At East West
Living, he was the Director of Healing Services. Tom has also taught Usui Reiki, other
energy work, and Business and Ethics at Windemere Institute of Healing Arts in the
Midwest. He practices, teaches and writes about spiritual healing and is the author of
the books, “Divine Warrior Training: Manifesting the Divine in our World,” and
“Consciousness Rising.” His work experience includes practice as an attorney and
practice as a licensed clinical social worker. His spiritual healing practice focuses on
working with individuals and groups to live into their divine essence.

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7. Communication Between Students and Faculty and Among Students
Each class shall have a roster listing the name, email address and preferred phone
number of school administrators, faculty and students unless a student makes a written,

specific, valid request to have their contact information kept confidential from other
students. Any request for confidentiality will be kept in the student’s academic records.
In addition, the faculty listing will list regular office hours of a minimum of one (1) hour
per week to be available to students by phone, video or in person. These office hours
will also be stated in the course syllabus.

8. Student Rights, Privileges and Responsibilities
Students in the BRIHA Massage Therapy Program have the following rights:

•  To receive academic and administrative support from BRIHA faculty and staff

• To have kept confidential their personal and academic information

•  To have access to their Massage Therapy Program transcript and request

amendment and/or revision to their student records to maintain accuracy

•  To register a grievance or complaint with BRIHA or other agencies as outlined in the BRIHA Grievance Policy.

Students in the BRIHA Massage Therapy Program have the following privileges:

•  To pursue their education without harassment or discrimination based on age,​ race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability, or military or veteran status

• To speak their opinions and beliefs freely unless such speech violates another student, faculty or staff’s rights and privileges.

Students in the BRIHA Massage Therapy Program have the following responsibilities:

• To provide accurate, timely and complete academic and personal information requested by BRIHA

• To know and comply with the program requirements and expectations

• To take responsibility for their own actions and treat other students, faculty and staff of BRIHA with respect and dignity and uphold the rights and privileges of others in the program

• To report any violation of program rules that may result in harm to another student, a faculty member or a staff member.
   

9. Grievance Policy
Bear River Institute of Healing Arts (“BRIHA”) holds values of Ahimsa (“do no harm”),
Agape (“unconditional positive regard for others”), and Agency (“responsibility for one’s
own behaviors and actions”). BRIHA expects its students to practice these three values
while enrolled as a student at BRIHA.
From time to time, conflicts may arise between BRIHA students, faculty or staff. The
person feeling aggrieved is encouraged to practice direct communication by speaking
with the person they believe have harmed them. If speaking directly to the person is not possible or practicable, the person feeling aggrieved is encouraged to discuss their
concerns at the earliest opportunity with the Director of the Massage Therapy Program,
Thomas Capshew. A student has 30 days from the time of the incident of concern to
discuss and review their concern with the Director. No aggrieved person shall be subject
to any unfair actions as a result of initiating a complaint.

The Director may gather additional information as needed and will make a decision
within two (2) weeks of the initial contact of the aggrieved person based on the facts
gathered and school policy. If BRIHA does not resolve a student complaint to the
satisfaction of the student, the student has the right to file a complaint with the State
Council of Higher Education for Virginia as a last resort electronically at
https://www.schev.edu/students/resources/student-complaints. The State Council of
Higher Education for Virginia’s physical address is 101 N. 14th Street, 10th Floor,
James Monroe Building, Richmond, VA 23219 and the phone number is 804-225-2600.

10. Causes for Early Dismissal
Causes for Dismissal from the BRIHA Massage Therapy Program include:

• Failure to pay tuition past due seven (7) days

• Attending class while under the influence of alcohol, illegal or unprescribed drugs

• Behavior disruptive to class

• Inappropriate sexual activity or remarks (sexual involvement between faculty andstudents is strictly prohibited)

• Conduct not in accord with the Professional Code of Ethics of either the
  American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) (https://www.amtamassage.org/about/core-documents/) or the Associated
  Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) (https://www.abmp.com/abmp-code-ethics)

• Any conduct by the student which might jeopardize the reputation of the 
  profession or the reputation of Bear River Institute of Healing Arts.
   

In the event that a student is dismissed or cancels their enrollment contract, any refunds
will be made according to the refund schedule contained in the student’s signed Student
Enrollment Agreement.

11. Transfer Credits
Requests for transfers of credit for course hours completed at another massage school
will be made on a case-by-case basis, using the following criteria: certification or
accreditation of the school requesting transfer hours from; similarity of course name,
content, length and objectives; number of clock hours; grade received; course taken
within the last five (5) years. Transfer requests must be made and determined prior to
enrollment. Final decisions are made by the BRIHA faculty. These provisions are
subject to change.

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Transferability of BRIHA coursework, diploma or certificate is determined by the policies
and procedures of the institution to which the student is seeking to transfer. BRIHA will
timely respond to all reasonable requests from the institution for information about the
course and the BRIHA Massage Therapy Program.

12. Career Advising and Placement Services
General information about massage careers and types of placements is included in the
course content of Business & Ethics. In the last half of the term, each student will be
provided two (2) one-hour blocks of time for individual assistance with career advising
and placement services, tailored to the needs of the student.

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13. Student Clinic
The BRIHA Student Clinic is an integral part of the learning experience. Students will
learn basic massage practice in the first few weeks of classes and then be required to
successfully complete a massage session with a faculty member as a client to assess
the student’s readiness to practice with the public. Upon successful clearance by the
faculty member, the student will be responsible for 30 hours of clinic time over the
remainder of the term. The clinic will be held every other Friday from 3:00 pm to 8:00
pm (five sessions per clinic day). Student activities which will count towards clinic time
may include giving massages to clients, intake, writing treatment notes, and
replenishing supplies.

The BRIHA requirement for student clinic hours is 30 total, and the schedule includes
35 hours available. If a student has an excused absence for all or part of a scheduled
Student Clinic during the term, the extra Student Clinic day allows the student to make
up Student Clinic hours during the term. It is the student's responsibility to contact the
clinic supervisor to request an excused absence, which will be determined by the
particular circumstances by the clinic supervisor in consultation with the school
administrator. The student will be notified in writing of the day[s] and time[s] their make
up hours are scheduled.

14. Library Resources
BRIHA maintains a library available to students and faculty including, but not limited to,
the following books:

Trail Guide to the Body, (2023, 6 th Ed.) by Andrew Biel, ISBN #: 978-0-9987850-6-6
Clay & Pounds' Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment,
(2105, 3 rd Ed.) by James H. Clay MMH NCTMB, Laura Allen LMBT, David M.
Pounds Certified Medical Illustrator ISBN #: 978-1451185461
Anatomy Trains (2020, 4 th Ed.) by Thomas Myers, Melanie Burns, ISBN:
9780702078132

Travell, Simons & Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction (2018, 3 rd Ed.) by Joseph
M. Donnelly, ISBN: 9780781755603
Anatomy of Movement (2007, Revised Ed.) by Blandine Calais-Germain ISBN:
9780939616572
The Anatomy of Stretching: Your Illustrated Guide to Flexibility and Injury Rehabilitation
(2011, 2 nd Ed.) by Brad Walker ISBN: 978-1583943717
Jobs Body: A Handbook for Bodywork 2003, 3 rd Ed.) by Deane Juhan ISBN:
9781581770995
A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology: Critical Thinking and Practical Application
(2023, 7 th Ed.) by Ruth Werner ISBN:  978-0998266343
The Ethics of Touch: The Hands-on Practitioner's Guide to Creating a Professional,
Safe, and Enduring Practice (2020, 3 rd Ed.) by Cherie Sohnen-Moe and Ben E
Benjamin PhD ISBN: 978-1882908448
Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques (2007, Revised Ed.) by Art Riggs
and Thomas W. Myers ISBN: 978-1556436505
Business Mastery: A Guide for Creating a Fulfilling, Thriving Practice, and Keeping It
Successful (2016, 5 th Ed.) by Cherie Sohnen-Moe ISBN: 978-1882908059
Mosby's Essential Sciences for Therapeutic Massage (2025, 7 th Ed.) by Sandy Fritz,
MS, BCTMB, CMBE and Luke Allen Fritz, LMT ISBN: 9780443122187

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15. Successful Completion of the Massage Therapy Program
Students achieve successful completion of the Massage Therapy Program when they
have completed the 500 clock hours, passed all exams with a grade of 75% correct or
higher, completed all assignments from faculty, satisfied all financial obligations, and
returned all items borrowed, including books and equipment.