Annual CT Conference

Annual CT Conference – Sunday, April 11, 2027
DoubleTree by Hilton, Bristol, CT

Registration will open on January 4, 2027

Interested in Sponsoring?

Get in touch with us at ConferenceAMTACT@gmail.com for more information

Registration & Fees

Registration link will be provided on January 4, 2027
Registration is open to AMTA Members only. All courses require preregistration and class size is limited. Completed registrants will receive an email from the registration platform. Please do not unsubscribe from these emails as you will miss future course updates and course handouts. No printed handouts will be available on site. Participants are responsible for printing or having electronic copies of the course handouts.

Badges must be worn at all times while on site.

Annual meeting registration – Free

Luncheon – Details will be available on meals for purchase when registration opens on January 4, 2027.

Classes: Full Day 8-noon and 2-6pm – $ TBD

Half Day (morning or afternoon session) – $ TBD

Questions

Email Conference@amtactchapter.org

Quick Links

Schedule
Classes
Presenters
Sponsors
Exhibit Hall
Social Events
Refund Policy

Schedule at a Glance

7-8 am Registration
Coffee and Tea

Classes: 8am – noon
CoreStones: Upgrade Your Hands – Part 1 (Part 1 and Part 2 required for credit) – Ashley Dawes, LMT
Getting Comfortable Working in Side-Lying Position – Becca Torns-Barker, LMT, MEd

Lunch 12-12:30pm
Participants will be allowed to bring a brown bag lunch into the room (hotel policy is no other outside food from the hotel restaurant or outside restaurants will be allowed)
In addition, a limited menu box lunch will be available. Details of the menu will be provided. All boxes will require registration and are prepaid (non-refundable) when registration opens.

Annual Chapter Meeting – 12:30-1:45pm
Free – Chapter Business meeting, quest speaker and chapter awards presentation

Classes: 2-6 pm
CoreStones: Upgrade Your Hands – Part 1 (Part 1 and Part 2 required for credit) – Ashley Dawes
Addressing Pelvic Bowl Pain and Disorders – Becca Torns-Barker, LMT, MEd

Classes

CoreStones: Upgrade Your Hands – Presented by Ashley Dawes, LMT

8 CE
NCBTMB Approved # 100872
NY Sponsor # 162343

In this comprehensive hands-on training students will learn techniques, using CoreStone, which will enhance your massage therapy sessions. Proper body mechanics are an integral part of this course and you will learn how to incorporate CoreStones into your massage without compromising your wrists and hands. The contraindications of CoreStones massage will be reviewed and we will discuss ways to alter sessions to accommodate certain conditions. You will learn how to heat and cool corestones to the proper temperature to achieve our desired therapeutic outcome: deep muscle relief without causing tissue trauma. Students will also learn how to sanitize the stones for client safety.

The instructor will be providing:
The course handout
CoreStones and warmers

Student supplies and equipment required:
Massage table with linens and bolster
Lotion, oil or cream of your choice

Getting Comfortable Working in Side-Lying Position

Have you ever worked the shoulder or hip, and not quite seen the results you were looking for? Have you struggled with accessing the shoulder muscle you wanted to work? Have you had a client that had to lie on their side, and you didn’t know how to effectively and therapeutically work their shoulder and hip? Then this class is for you.

Side-lying is a versatile and often underused position for massage therapy that is easy to incorporate into a session. Many clients find it comfortable and familiar, especially those who sleep on their sides. With supportive positioning and secure draping, side-lying can help clients feel at ease throughout a session. For the MT, this position brings the lateral surfaces of the body into a more accessible position, offering you different approaches to muscles and areas of the body.

This 4-hour, hands-on class explores how to incorporate side-lying into your massage practice with confidence. Participants will learn to guide clients safely into and out of the position, use pillows and bolsters for support, maintain secure draping, and adapt familiar massage techniques to the anatomy presented. Through instructor demonstrations and supervised partner practice, participants will explore when side-lying is an appropriate treatment choice and how to adjust positioning and techniques to each client’s comfort, mobility, and treatment goals.

Equipment: massage table, linens, lubricant, pillows (2), bolster

Addressing Pelvic Bowl Pain and Disorders

Did you know that the rate of abdominopelvic pain MATCHES that of asthma and low back pain? How many clients see you for low back pain? That many likely have abominopelvic pain too, and you’ve probably never even discussed it.

Pain and discomfort within the pelvic bowl can involve relationships among muscles, connective tissues, nerves, and organs. Understanding these relationships can help massage therapists make informed treatment choices and communicate more comfortably with clients about a sensitive area of the body.

This 4-hour, hands-on class includes a focused review of the anatomy and physiology of the abdominopelvic region and explores how functional issues within these structures may contribute to pain and movement restrictions. Participants will discuss relevant medical histories and conditions, recognize concerns that warrant referral, and explore the role of massage therapy within a broader treatment plan. Emphasis will be placed on establishing rapport, using clear and respectful language, and maintaining informed consent, secure draping, and professional boundaries.

Through instructor demonstrations and supervised partner practice, participants will learn external massage approaches for appropriate areas of the abdominopelvic region. They will practice adapting positioning, pressure, and technique selection to client comfort and treatment goals, building confidence in integrating this work within their scope of practice.

Equipment: massage table, face cradle, linens, lubricant, pillow, bolster

Presenters

Becca Torns-Barker, LMT, MEd

Becca Torns-Barker has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2005, specializing in abdominal massage for digestive and reproductive health, including during pregnancy. Her approach is rooted in both hands-on expertise and a passion for education, ensuring that her clients and students alike receive the highest level of care and knowledge.

A lifelong learner, Becca holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from UConn and a Master’s in Education from the American College of Education, with a focus on Adult Education. Her background in teaching and curriculum development allows her to bring a structured, engaging approach to massage education. She is also an active member and volunteer with the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), contributing to the growth and advancement of the profession.

In addition to teaching in an associate degree massage program, Becca is a health coach and color guard instructor, blending movement, wellness, and education in all aspects of her work. She is also a SCUBA divemaster and an active volunteer in her local community.

Becca’s diverse background and commitment to lifelong learning make her a dynamic educator and practitioner, dedicated to supporting both her students and clients in reaching their fullest potential.

Ashley Dawes, LMT

Ashley Dawes is a Hall of Fame Massage Therapist with 13 years of experience and a successful business owner of 7 years. She is owner and operator of Essence Day Spa, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

As CoreStones Regional Educator, she is passionate about saving her hands through barefoot massage and tool-assisted techniques. She is committed to lifelong learning and continuously expanding her knowledge of advanced techniques in both fields. Ashley also loves supporting fellow colleagues in their professional growth.

Exhibit Hall

There will be no formal exhibit hall in 2027, due to the one-day format. A limited exhibit hall may include sponsors and educators.

CT-Chapter Annual Business Meeting (12-30 – 1:45pm)
Chapter Business
Election Results
Chapter Awards
Guest Speaker – to be announced

Refund Policy

A refund of 50% of registration fees is given if we receive an email (conference@amtactchapter.org) by March 11, 2027. Any person cancelling after this date is not guaranteed a refund. Requests must be made by email (conference@amtactchapter.org) by midnight April 12, 2027. All requests will be reviewed by the chapter board of directors at their next meeting. No refunds will be issued for prepaid meals after March 11, 2027.