The Gated Sanctuary, Centre for Healing 

Our therapists are among the most talented and skilled massage therapists you will find. We have carefully hand-selected our therapists from many applicants who wish to practice their art at The Gated Sanctuary. They each have at least three years experience as licensed massage practitioners with the state of Washington. They will customize their massages to your indiviual needs. For example, if you have tightness in your shoulders or low back, they will focus more attention in those areas in order to help your body heal. They can give you 30, 60, or 90 minute massages and can provide deep-tissue therapeutic massage, relaxation massage, or a combination. Couple's massages in the same treatment room are also available.

The therapists wrote short biographies below in order to help you decide which one is best for you. Regardless of which provider works on you, we are confident you will be completely satisfied with your massage at The Gated Sanctuary. 

Frederick Steffen

(Having more than 25 years experience, Frederick is a Master Massage Therapist)

I have been a licensed massage therapist for more than 34 years. My experience in massage, however, started years before I was first licensed. When I was nine my mother, who was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, had me trained in reflexology to help relieve some of her symptoms from MS. Since then bodywork has become my passion and my life's work. My mother was the inspiration for me to create The Gated Sanctuary.

My style of massage is a cultivation of learning through the years that the body responds to slow, deeper, loving work. I am naturally drawn to the areas in your body that need attention and my focus is to make your massage one of the best experiences of your life. I use a combination of reconstructive deep tissue massage, Esalen, and Lomi Lomi. I am a Reiki Master and an expert in Reflexology. 

Renata Padilha

I always love the idea of what massage therapy can do for our wellbeing as a natural way to create balance to the body and mind. It was in Hawaii back in 2008 during my pregnancy when I realized the importance of health and wellness. Learning natural ways of nurturing the body, I discovered the benefits of massage. To me, helping people become free of pain through my touch is fascinating and I decided to attend massage school a few years later here in Seattle.

This is my life path and I love it!

I describe my massage style as "heart-felt touch" because I work with compassion in every session I do. My seven years of experience working with clients in a chiropractic clinic, sport rehabilitation, and spas has allowed me to create a good sense of what the body needs as far as pressure and techniques. I always use a relaxing approach.

I will be honored to get to know you and treat your body temple. Be blessed today and always! I hope to see you soon.

Robert Seay 

I've been in practice and licensed as a massage therapist for over 21 years. My original training, focus and style of massage comes from the Esalen Institute, giving my bodywork a foundation of nurturing contact, long integrated strokes, and detailed attention to the whole body. I also studied the foundations of Ayurveda and the Marma pressure points in 2000/2001, while traveling in India. After further study, I received national certification  in Washington, which gave me a deeper understanding of human physiology from a western perspective.

I've lived and traveled extensively throughout the world and have had the opportunity to experience many different styles of bodywork. This experience has influenced my work deeply and allows me to develop a massage experience that integrates mind, body, emotion and spirit. I look forward to working with you someday. 

Jordan Crowl

(Photo coming soon)

I am very proud to call myself a massage therapist. I decided to pursue this career to satisfy my need for meaning in my work, so in that way, I feel massage is a reciprocal exchange of benefit between my clients and I.

I graduated from East West College in Portland, Oregan in 2014. When people ask what my style of massage is like, I tell them I do "Deep Swedish," which I would describe as a massage with a consistent, relaxing flow and therapeutic focus. I have some background in eastern modalities like Thai and Tui-Na, which sometimes find their way into my sessions

Outside of work, I like to go on long hikes with my fiancé, do yoga, play guitar, and go on adventures whenever I can. 

Inga Chinell

I have been at the Gated Sanctuary since September 2015. My massage practice started after graduating from Brennekke in 1998. I consider my massage techniques to be mostly therapeutic combined with lighter relaxing work near the end of the massage. My history of continuing education consists of Thai Massage, Lomi Lomi Massage, Ashi Autsu Massage, and Sports Massage.

I have been active in sports for many years. This has given me valuable insight in helping care for people that have sports-related injuries. And having had chronic headaches much of my life has provided a personal and compassionate perspective in treating my clients who suffer from them too. I take great pride in being able to help my clients heal through therapeutic massage. 

Michael Kaplan

I began massage as a teenager many more years ago then I choose to admit because my father had back issues and I was the only one in the family with strong enough hands to help with his pain. A friend of his was a back surgeon who taught me a little about massage and my career began.

My formal massage training was received at the Bellevue School of massage where I later returned as a teacher. I also have also been a pro-tem instructor at Bastur Univeristy. 

I describe my massage style as a flowing, firm to medium pressure, relaxing massage that sneaks in muscle therapy. I consider snoring and drooling a common compliment.

Marcie Leese

(Having more than 25 years experience, Marcie is a Master Massage Therapist)

Graduating from Brenneke Massage School in 1985, I have been a licensed massage practitioner for 27 years. I am a compassionate person and I love helping people feel better. My massage is intuititive and is a combination of Lomi Lomi and Swedish. My massage is nurturing.

I love the ocean and enjoy kayaking. I also love to read and spending time with my dog is one of my great pleasures.

Sarah Powell

I have been a massage therapist for more than 12 years. Similar to Esalen and Lomi Lomi styles, I use slow, graceful strokes and specialize in  treatment and relaxation. I tailor each massage to the individual needs of the client. I have been called, "intuitive," "magic," and "healing."

My hobbies include travel, art, education, writing, music, my teenage son, and my little dog.  



Kate Swartz

I enjoy providing Swedish and deep tissue massage. I am currently working toward becoming a Reiki Master. I have worked on many wonderful clients and many of them have generously given me some wonderful feedback. One client told me I touched on all their problem points. Another client said my massage took her to another universe. And another client told me I noticed problems she was not even aware she had. Each person's bodies has individual needs. For example, some people need more attention to their neck and shoulders while others need more work on their low back. Other people are not looking for pain relief, they simply just want to relax. When I meet my clients before the massage and while they are on the table I try to be a good listener. Being a good listener allows me to meet my clients' needs and expectations of the massage and allows me to customize the massage to whatever their particular needs are.  

I love the outdoors and the water in particular. I am an avid swimmer. Swimming is one of my ways of finding relaxation. I also love to water ski, snow ski, and camp. Someday I hope to do a lot of traveling. And last but certainly not least, I love cats!