Who We Are

Kara Szumski, M.Ac., O.M.

Kara has been in practice for nine years. She began her acupuncture training at the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and then transferred to the New England School Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine where she matriculated from.

Kara specializes in Chinese & Japanese Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and many other Asian modalities of natural health and healing such as; cupping, moxabustion (burning of mugwort) and facial rejuvenation.

Kara has had the opportunity to study from many masters in the trade. This has allowed her to draw from many different acupuncture traditions and therefore create her own unique healing style.

Scott McPheeters, CMT

Scott McPheeters is a Certified Massage Therapist as well as a professional dancer. He recognizes that each bodywork session is distinctly unique and he strives to provide each client with a treatment that is most appropriate for them. His goal is to help facilitate a natural unwinding of restrictions in the body using a variety of modalities such a Swedish, deep tissue, and myofascial release techniques. Scott also earned a B.A. in Theater and Dance from Dickinson College and performs regularly with Philadelphia dance companies such as Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, BoanDanz Action, and Nichole Canuso Dance Company.

Alicia McCarthy, NCTMB

Alicia is excited to be starting her own practice: Black Cat Bodywork, at Ease. As a native Philadelphian, she is happy to be able to practice massage therapy in the city she loves. Alicia graduated from the Massage Arts Center of Philadelphia in November 2008. It was there that she began blending her style of Myofascial Release, Deep tissue, and Swedish massage. She obtained her National Certification of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in September 2009. Thai Yoga Massage is her current obsession, which she has incorporated to her practice, and she is enthusiastic about the results of this amazing form of bodywork.

Alicia’s achieved a Bachelor’s of Fine Art at Tyler School of Art, and worked at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the conservation department. She believes that massage is both a luxury and a necessity for everyone to experience on a regular basis.

Alicia lives in West Philadelphia with her husband and their many cats. She enjoys drawing, performing, practicing Yoga, and dancing.

Jessica DiVincenzo, CMT

Jessica was born and raised in New York City. After deciding on a career and lifestyle change, Jessica moved to Philadelphia and attended the Swedish Massage certificate program at the Massage Arts Center of Philadelphia. Since graduating, she is passionately pursing a career as a professional bodyworker.

Jessica received a certificate in Advanced Myofascial Release Technique from Linda Gerber and studied Reiki 1 and 2 with Edmund Friedman. She is currently pursuing a more holistic lifestyle and furthering her studies in human anatomy, myofascial release and meditation. Jessica strives to bring a sense of calm and peace to her sessions and believes in listening to her clients needs and tailoring each session toward meeting their individual goals.

Rose Paisley, N.D.

A naturopath specializes in a distinct system of health care called naturopathic medicine, which uses the healing power of nature to maintain and restore health. With a focus on whole-body wellness, naturopaths use natural, non-toxic therapies to help support normal metabolism, boost the body’s immune system, reduce side effects and strengthen the body’s ability to heal itself. Since her graduation from National College of Natural Medicine in 2002, Rose practiced as a primary care physician at Nature Cures Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Her naturopathic family medical practice  addressed many needs in the areas of endocrinology, gynecology, pediatrics, physical medicine, gastroenterology, and detoxification. She is a licensed primary care provider in the Sate of Oregon, she received the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.) degree from a naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council for Naturopathic Medical Education, she is a member of Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physician and a member of Pennsylvania Association of Naturoapthic Physicians