meet our WELLNESS PARTNER: MASSAGE THERAPY
SCHEDULE WITH LEIA
SERVICE FEES
30 Minute, $40
60 Minute, $70
90 Minute, $100
Phoenix Pharaoh
Leia is a skilled and compassionate massage therapist with expertise in a variety of techniques, including hot stone therapy, aromatherapy, scraping (Gua Sha), myofascial release, traditional Swedish massage, and emotional release work. She tailors each session to the unique needs of her clients, integrating these modalities seamlessly to enhance relaxation, relieve tension, and promote overall well-being.
There is no additional charge for incorporating different techniques during a session. Leia believes in using the most effective tools available to support each client's healing process, ensuring the best possible results.
A Therapist Who Cares
“My mission is to help you heal. I want you to leave your session feeling better, but my priority is your overall health.” - Leia Arnston, owner of Phoenix Pharaoh
Leia’s Contact Information:
Answers to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Payment is due at time of service. I accept cash, credit, and venmo payments.
Massages for children (under age of 18) are fully clothed massages.
LOCATION & HOURS
Metanoia Therapy - 1044 Centerville Circle, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
Wednesdays 9am - 3pm
Additional days upon appointment
Massage Therapy for Mental Health & Healing
At Metanoia Therapy, we believe that true healing includes both the mind and the body. When we experience stress, trauma, or overwhelming emotions, those experiences don’t just live in our thoughts—they can settle deep into our muscles, posture, and nervous system. Massage therapy provides a powerful way to release what the body has been holding onto, creating space for emotional balance and mental clarity.
How Our Bodies Hold Stress and Memory
Have you ever noticed your shoulders tighten during a stressful day, or your jaw clench when you’re upset? These are not just habits—they’re the body’s way of storing experiences. Science shows that our muscles, fascia, and nervous system can carry the imprint of memories and emotions, especially when related to trauma or long-term stress.
When left unaddressed, this stored tension can lead to chronic pain, headaches, fatigue, and even feelings of irritability or anxiety. Massage works directly with the body to soften and release these patterns, helping the nervous system reset.
In this way, massage isn’t just about relaxation—it’s about reconnecting with your body, restoring balance, and giving yourself permission to let go.
The Mind-Body Connection
Mental health is deeply connected to physical well-being. When our body feels safe and relaxed, our mind can follow. Massage therapy stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system—the part of us responsible for rest, recovery, and healing. This helps lower stress hormones, improves sleep, and reduces anxiety.
By gently unwinding tension, massage can:
Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
Ease muscle pain caused by chronic stress
Improve sleep quality
Enhance focus and clarity
Support trauma recovery by helping the body feel safe again
At Metanoia Therapy, many of our clients pair massage with psychotherapy or EMDR therapy. This combination provides both emotional processing and physical release, supporting deeper and more lasting healing.
Massage for Trauma and Emotional Healing
Trauma isn’t just remembered in the mind—it’s remembered in the body. Survivors of trauma often describe feeling “on edge,” hypervigilant, or disconnected from their bodies. Massage therapy helps create a safe environment where the body can soften and re-learn what it feels like to be grounded.
Through gentle touch and intentional release, massage may help:
Calm the fight-or-flight response
Restore a sense of body ownership and safety
Decrease physical pain linked to emotional stress
Reconnect mind and body after disassociation or numbness
While massage does not replace mental health therapy, it is a powerful complement for those who are processing difficult memories, managing stress, or working through trauma.
Why Massage for Mental Health?
Many people seek massage for sore muscles or injury recovery, but its benefits for mental health are just as powerful. Clients often notice that after a session, they feel:
Lighter and more emotionally at ease
More patient and present in their relationships
Better able to handle daily stressors
Reconnected to their bodies in ways that feel empowering
Massage can be especially supportive for those experiencing:
High levels of work or school stress
Grief and loss
Anxiety or depression
The physical effects of long-term trauma
Difficulty sleeping or relaxing
A Holistic Approach at Metanoia
At Metanoia Therapy, we understand that mental health requires more than just talk—it requires a whole-person approach. By integrating massage therapy into your self-care, you’re allowing your mind and body to work together in healing.
We have created partnership with a licensed massage therapists who works with intention and compassion, honoring the stories your body may be holding. Whether you’re coming in to ease muscle tension, support trauma recovery, or simply carve out time for yourself, massage offers a safe space to rest, release, and renew.
What to Expect in a Massage Session
When you come in for a massage, you’ll be welcomed into a calming, supportive environment. Each session is tailored to your unique needs. Some clients prefer deep tissue massage to release chronic tension, while others may benefit from a gentler approach that allows the body to feel safe and nurtured.
Sessions may last 30 to 90 minutes, depending on your preference. You’ll have time to discuss your goals with your massage therapist before beginning, and adjustments can be made at any point to ensure your comfort.
Choosing Massage as Part of Your Healing
If you’ve ever felt like stress, trauma, or worry is living inside your body, massage therapy can help you find relief. It’s more than just a physical treatment—it’s an invitation to reconnect, restore, and heal from the inside out.
At Metanoia Therapy, we are honored to walk with you in your healing journey. Massage therapy can be a meaningful step toward balance, resilience, and peace.