Faculty and Staff
We are dedicated to providing the most qualified instructional staff possible. Our instructors exemplify excellence in their individual fields of experience and expertise.
Barbara G. White, LMT, MTI, BCTMB, CLT, CDT, ALM
Owner & Director, Massage Therapy Education Center
Texas MT023126, MI01141, NCTMB#419601
Barbara White has been a licensed massage therapist since 1999 and brings more than two decades of clinical practice, advanced training, and educational leadership to the massage therapy profession.
Her clinical background encompasses Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Thai Massage, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Ayurvedic treatments, LomiLomi Hawaiian Massage, and spa therapies. Throughout her career, her work has focused on chronic pain, structural imbalance, lymphatic conditions, post-operative recovery, and therapeutic approaches tailored to the individual needs of each client.
Advanced Lymphatic Training
Barbara has pursued extensive advanced education in lymphatic therapy and holds five specialized certifications:
• Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
• Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
• Advanced Lymphedema Management (ALM)
• Head & Neck Lymphedema
• Neuro-Lymphatic Therapy
She is additionally trained in both Chikly Method and Vodder techniques.
Barbara’s current clinical practice specializes in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), lymphedema management, post-operative recovery, cancer recovery, and neuro-lymphatic therapy. Her broader background in therapeutic and non-Western bodywork allows her to integrate complementary approaches when appropriate, providing individualized care grounded in extensive clinical training and experience.
Educator & School Director
Barbara’s career in massage education began in 2001 when she founded Academy for the Healing Arts. Although the school later closed following Hurricanes Rita and Ike, she continued her work in massage therapy education as an instructor at the Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy and later established the massage therapy program at Vista College in Beaumont, serving as Program Chair and Lead Instructor.
In 2008, she founded Barbara White Seminars, an NCBTMB Approved Continuing Education Provider. Through Barbara White Seminars, she has taught licensed massage therapists across Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Michigan and has developed more than 64 continuing education programs. Her hands-on teaching style emphasizes understanding the theory behind therapeutic techniques while developing the practical skills necessary to apply them confidently in professional practice.
In 2024, Barbara continued that educational legacy by founding Massage Therapy Education Center, a state-licensed hybrid massage school combining flexible online academic coursework with intensive, in-person technique and clinical training.
A Career Dedicated to Massage Therapy
Barbara’s contributions to the profession extend beyond clinical practice and classroom instruction. She has developed and published massage therapy curricula and continuing education programs, combining decades of practical experience with a commitment to advancing the knowledge and skills of both new and experienced massage therapists.
As a therapist, educator, curriculum developer, and school director, Barbara remains committed to high standards of professional education and to the belief that skilled, thoughtful bodywork can be a powerful part of healing, recovery, and lifelong wellness.
Director; Instructor of Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology, Swedish Massage Technique, Neuromuscular Therapy, Health & Hygiene, Hydrotherapy, Business Practices & Ethics, Deep Tissue, Thai Massage, Shiatsu, Asian Bodyworks, Non-Western Therapies, Aromatherapy, Lymphatic Drainage, Cancer Recovery, Myofascial Release, Reflexology, PNF Stretching, Chair Massage, Intern Supervisor.
Ronald White, B.M., M.M., LMT, MTI
Co-Director & Instructor, Massage Therapy Education Center
Texas MT044669, MI4840
Ronald White brings more than three decades of teaching experience, professional leadership, and a lifelong commitment to education to his role as Co-Director and Instructor at Massage Therapy Education Center.
A licensed massage therapist and massage therapy instructor, Ronald has been an integral part of the development of Barbara White’s massage therapy and educational programs for more than two decades. He has worked alongside Barbara through the founding of Academy for the Healing Arts, the development of Lymphatic & Massage Studio, and ultimately the establishment of Massage Therapy Education Center.
Massage Therapy & Instruction
Ronald specializes in Neuromuscular Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage, Therapeutic Massage, and Swedish Massage. His massage training was completed under the instruction of Barbara White, giving him a strong foundation in both therapeutic technique and the clinically focused approach to massage therapy that is central to MTEC’s educational philosophy.
As an educator, Ronald brings more than three decades of classroom and private instruction experience to massage therapy education. His teaching style combines patience, structure, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex concepts in ways students can understand and apply.
At MTEC, he serves as both an instructor and Co-Director, helping guide students through the academic and hands-on components of their professional training while contributing to the school’s curriculum and educational standards.
Education & Professional Music Career
Ronald’s extensive background as an educator began with his formal training as a classical musician.
He is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and earned his Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance from Southern Methodist University, where he was a recipient of the Meadows Tuition Award. He went on to earn his Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from Northwestern University, where he served as a graduate assistant to renowned clarinetist Robert Marcellus.
Ronald continued his graduate education at The Florida State University, pursuing doctoral studies in Clarinet Performance as well as graduate study toward a second master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting. During his time at Florida State, he served as graduate assistant to Dr. Frank Kowalsky, teaching applied clarinet to university music majors and minors, coaching chamber ensembles, and assisting with departmental instruction.
A classically trained clarinetist and conductor, Ronald has spent decades as a professional musician and music educator and maintains a longstanding association with the Symphony of Southeast Texas as a clarinetist and conductor.
His background in music and education brings a distinctive perspective to massage therapy. The principles of precision, rhythm, movement, listening, disciplined practice, and individualized instruction that have shaped his career as a musician and teacher also influence his approach to bodywork and massage therapy education.
A Lifelong Educator
Education has been a constant throughout Ronald’s professional life. In addition to his university-level teaching experience, he spent 27 years as a middle and high school band director, teaching and directing instrumental music programs in Southeast Texas. His career included positions with Port Arthur ISD, West Orange-Cove CISD, St. Anne Catholic School, and Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, where he served as Director of Bands for 17 years, retiring in 2024.
His experience in massage therapy education is equally longstanding. From 2004 to 2008, Ronald served as Co-Director and Instructor at Academy for the Healing Arts, where he taught throughout the Texas Massage Therapy Licensing Program, including Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology, Health & Hygiene, Business Practices & Professional Ethics, and Swedish Massage Technique.
Across more than three decades of teaching—from elementary and secondary music education to university instruction and professional massage therapy training—Ronald’s work has centered on helping students develop knowledge, technical skill, confidence, discipline, and professionalism.
As Co-Director of Massage Therapy Education Center, he brings that depth of educational experience to MTEC’s mission of preparing knowledgeable, skilled, and professional massage therapists for successful careers in the field.
Instructor of Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology, Swedish Massage Technique, Neuromuscular Therapy, Health & Hygiene, Hydrotherapy, Business Practices & Ethics, Deep Tissue, Adult Learners, Marketing Me, PNF Stretching, Chair Massage, Intern Supervisor.
Dawneen Hebert, LMT, MTI
Instructor, Massage Therapy Education Center
Texas MT102549, MI2520
A graduate of Academy for the Healing Arts, Dawneen Hebert studied directly under Barbara White.
Dawneen is an experienced educator and currently teaches massage continuing education through her CE business Live Pono. She maintains a private massage practice in Port Arthur, TX.
Instructor of Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology, Swedish Massage Technique, Neuromuscular Therapy, Health & Hygiene, Hydrotherapy, Business Practices & Ethics, Deep Tissue, PNF Stretching, Chair Massage, Intern Supervisor.
Erin Barrows, LMT, MFR, MMP, CTLC, RHC, RYT
Yoga Instructor
Texas MT100586
Erin Barrows is a truly dynamic and heart-centered practitioner who brings a rare blend of therapeutic expertise, intuitive wisdom, and soulful presence to her work. A graduate of Academy for the Healing Arts in 2006—a massage school founded and led by Barbara White—Erin began her journey under Barbara’s mentorship and has now come full circle to reunite with her teacher and join the team once again.
As the founder of Body Be Spoken in Beaumont, TX, Erin has been facilitating Transformational Healing since 2006, offering sessions that reach beyond the physical to address the mental, emotional, and spiritual layers of well-being. She is known for her powerful ability to help clients uncover and release deep-seated blockages, restore balance, and reconnect with their inner truth. Her signature saying, “It’s never too late to heal yourself…the trick is, that you have a YES for YOU and you start somewhere!” beautifully reflects the heart of her approach.
Erin’s work is a one-of-a-kind integration of Massage Therapy, Myofascial Release, Energy Work, Breathwork, Therapeutic Yoga, and Guided Coaching. Her sessions are far more than bodywork—they are transformational experiences tailored to support deep healing, empowerment, and lasting change. With warmth, deep listening, and intuitive precision, Erin creates a safe, nurturing space for every client to explore healing at their own pace.
Since 2011, she has led Yoga Therapeutics classes and programs focused on physical and mental rehabilitation, and in 2017, she expanded her healing practice as a Transformational Life and Support Coach. She is also a Certified Enlightened Iridologist, using the eyes as a window into the body’s energetic and emotional systems.
Erin is, without question, absolutely amazing at what she does. Her work is not only effective—it’s deeply moving. With her unique integration of massage therapy and energy work, Erin offers a profoundly personalized experience that honors the whole person and inspires genuine transformation.
Karen French, LMT, MTI, CLT, CDT
Instructor, Massage Therapy Education Center
Texas MT, MI
Karen French is a skilled and intuitive massage therapist whose work is grounded in both strong technique and genuine compassion. A graduate of The Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy—one of the most respected massage schools in the region—Karen brings a deep-rooted commitment to the healing arts and a well-rounded foundation in therapeutic bodywork.
She specializes in a variety of modalities, including Swedish Massage, Prenatal Massage, Hot Stone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Her sessions are thoughtfully tailored to reduce stress, release muscular tension, and support the body’s natural healing process. With a strong belief in the power of movement and breath, Karen also incorporates therapeutic stretching to enhance flexibility and relaxation.
Karen has been trained in Myofascial Release through the John Barnes Method, under the instruction of Barbara White, adding depth and versatility to her therapeutic approach. Her work blends structure and sensitivity—guided by a strong sense of intuition and a commitment to open communication with her clients.
Whether addressing chronic pain, supporting prenatal wellness, or simply helping clients unwind, Karen offers a nurturing presence and a skilled touch that make each session uniquely effective and deeply restorative.
Instructor of Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology, Swedish Massage Technique, Neuromuscular Therapy, Health & Hygiene, Hydrotherapy, Business Practices & Ethics, Deep Tissue, PNF Stretching, Chair Massage.
Clinic Staff
Carina Bass, LMT
Carina Bass is passionate about helping others improve their overall well-being through compassionate, client-centered care. Having trained at Massage Therapy Education Center, Carina is proud to return to the place where her passion for massage therapy was shaped. She has experience in a variety of techniques, including Swedish massage, deep tissue therapy, prenatal massage, hot stone therapy, cupping, and therapeutic bodywork. Carina enjoys challenging situations and finds fulfillment in helping clients relieve tension, reduce stress, and support the body’s natural healing process.
As a wife and mother of two daughters, she understands the demands of everyday life and strives to create a welcoming environment where every client feels heard, respected, and cared for. Drawing from over 10 years of experience in the medical field in Germany, Carina brings a strong foundation in patient care and a genuine desire to help others feel their best.