About Us

Philosophy

Putting Patients First: Welcome to Austin Lymphatic

Jessica Johnson, founder of Austin Lymphatic, has over a decade of expertise in post-surgical lymphatic care. Specializing in autoimmune support, she discusses her skilled team and their gentle approach to manual lymphatic drainage in this video

Welcome To Austin's Premier Lymphatic Center

At Austin Lymphatic, our exceptional team consists of practitioners from diverse backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective and expertise to our work. While our collaborative approach is a key strength, what truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to the well-being of our patients, ensuring their comfort, understanding, and overall satisfaction throughout their lymphatic therapy journey.

Our patient-centered philosophy guides our every action. We firmly believe that delivering exceptional care is about building trusting relationships, listening attentively to our patient's concerns, tailoring our sessions to meet their individual needs, and achieving measurable results you can see and feel. We make every effort to stay informed of the latest advancements in the field and continuously refine our techniques to deliver the most effective care possible.

Our team’s passion and dedication extend beyond individual ambitions to a collective goal: to establish the gold standard of care in the lymphatic community. We strive to create lasting impacts on both our patients' lives and the field of lymphatic therapy as a whole!

Jessica Johnson

LMT, CMLDT, CLT
Owner

Life Goals

White water raft the Grand Canyon, Salsa dance in Cuba. Karaoke in Tokyo, Sing on Stage with my Brother, Travel as much as possible with Friends and Family

Full Bio
Jessica Johnson LMT, CMLDT, CLT

Nerd Alert! Over a decade ago, I first learned about Lymphatic Massage from my pathology professor. She was a nurse turned massage therapist and one of the most brilliant critical thinkers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I had been managing a holistic-health clinic here in Austin and somehow, I had never learned anything about the lymphatic system. I started taking every continuing education course I could on lymphatic drainage. I was hooked and have been obsessed ever since.

One of the things that attracted me to this particular modality was the gentle nature of the work. Oddly enough, bodywork techniques are generally very masculine. We are taught about deep tissue massage and the “no-pain-no-gain” approach.

It’s never felt right for me to hurt someone while your trying to make them feel better. Why would you ever introduce more pain into the nervous system that’s already overloaded!? I understand there’s a time and a place for deep work, and we do use it when appropriate, but from personal experience, I knew that there were many people suffering out there whose systems simply coould not handle inflammatory massage. I love that we can offer a more nurturing and feminine approach to bodywork and make a huge difference.

As it turns out, people loved this gentle approach and my practice quickly grew. It’s incredibly hard to tell someone who is in pain that you can’t see them for 3-4 weeks, and I had a hard time saying no. I was overworked and getting burned out. I knew I needed to get my teaching license and recruit others to join me.

After years of effort, I was able to create a reproducible system for training the advanced Lymph focused practitioners, that are now the dream team at Austin Lymphatic.

This has allowed my passion to shift from working hands-on with clients to relentlessly trying to spread the word and educate more people about the benefits of supporting your lymphatic system, as well as helping raise the standard of care in our field.

I think what drives me is this urgent feeling that if I don’t do this right and help to set a better standard of care, then lymphatic drainage massage will not have as meaningful of an impact in the overall field of healthcare as it could/should.

My biggest concern is that lymphatic massage will only be thought of in terms of its aesthetic benefits and that it won’t be taken seriously, as something that can assist our body's overall health and wellness. The reason it works so well for aesthetics is because it cleanses your body from the inside out! There are SO many people with autoimmune conditions, are recovering from cancer, or have any number of general health issues that could greatly benefit from this technique.

Some of my favorite trainings have been in both Vodder and Chikly Lymphatic Drainage Techniques. Also, Abdominal Visceral Massage, Ashiatsu Barefoot Bar Therapy, Cupping for Post-Surgical Patients, Facial Cupping, Breast Reconstruction Techniques, Oncology Massage, Lymphatic Taping and Complete Decongestive Therapy for Lymphedema.

I have been incredibly fortunate in this line of work and know that I have found my true path. Each session is its own journey, and with each individual, I approach things differently and with whatever tools are best for the job. No two sessions are the same, and I continue to learn something new every day. It is very rewarding and so much fun to watch people as they progress through the healing stages, and I love getting to know the individuals I work with. People often say they can tell how much I love my work. I always have a smile on my face - ask anyone!

In my free time, you can find me walking around the hike and bike trail with my husband or catching some live music. If I'm not doing one of those two things, I'm probably eating tacos!

Carlin Johnson

LMT, CMLDT
360 Location, Manager

Life Goals

Live on a ranch with a vineyard, garden, farm-to-table restaurant, whiskey bar, & all farm critters included.

Full Bio
Carlin Johnson LMT, CMLDT

Hi, I'm Carlin. Through my experience, I've found that your body knows what to do; I'm just here to help facilitate and give it the "nudge" that it needs to help heal itself. A natural caregiver, I know I have found my path.

Originally from Wisconsin, I grew up horseback riding every day. This challenged me to listen on a deeper level, and I quickly learned how to use my intuition. I started to help people using the guidance of horses: PTSD with veterans, leadership with corporate groups, physical and mental therapy, etc. I saw profound, transformational experiences from this work, and I knew I had a strong calling to help people on their own healing journeys. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Human Development & Family Studies. The summer after graduation, I found myself working for a chiropractor and feeling inspired to go back to school to learn bodywork. With the strong urge to pursue my passion and being more realistic that I couldn't fit a horse in my 500 sq. foot apartment, all signs pointed me to becoming a Massage Therapist.

I have spent the last several years diving deep into the bodywork, exploring different modalities such as Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Craniosacral, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, and Cupping. Lymphatic work is what has come most naturally to me and has stood out as being most effective in aiding my clients recovery. I love combining these therapies and tailoring my treatment sessions to my clients' individual needs.

Lymphatic massage reminds me of horseback riding in a way, both being rhythmic, consistent, predictable, and providing lasting effects that any medical device cannot duplicate. I am here to help my client’s quality of being. The work speaks for itself and allows me to continue to learn something new with every client I see.

Natalie Gamble

LMT, CMLDT, MMP
MOPAC Location, Manager

Life Goals

See the Redwood Forest, learn how to farm and sustainably grow my own food, and to open a vegan food truck on the beach.

Full Bio
Natalie Gamble LMT, CMLDT, MMP

A people person from the heart, I started my career in managing beauty retail stores and later decided that I wanted to do more to help others. I realized that one of my passions was massage. My daughter also confirmed this for me when she was seven years old, telling me that I give the best massages. Long before this, my grandmother had cancer, and I wanted to help her. I found myself visiting her on a day when her legs were really bothering her, as she had neuropathy. I could tell that she needed some TLC, so I massaged her legs (not knowing at the time that there is a special way to massage someone undergoing cancer). As I was massaging her, she told me how she missed how people touched her, or even hugged her, like they used to ever since she started going through her treatments.

When she passed away, she left me some inheritance money and said to do something with it that I would not have thought possible to do. This was my chance to completely change my goals, career, and life. I decided to go to school for massage therapy! I wanted to do this not only because my daughter told me I was good at massage, but for my grandmother, Ruby McKenzie. I decided that I wanted to learn more, to know how to care for people that need touch the most; people that do not think that they can get a specialized massage catered to them.

I am certified in Tracy Walton’s Oncology and the Vodder technique for Manual Lymphatic Drainage, which complements treatments for a variety of medical issues. I love to work with people from all walks of life, even if their ailments do not call for an Oncology massage; I want to help!

Having been at Austin Lymphatic for several years now, I have worked on a number of cases that required me to understand how different and unique the human body can be. I try to educate my clients so they have the tools to keep their bodies healthy and feeling good. As the office manager of the Balcones location, I help to create a positive environment for all Austin Lymphatic clients. I continue to soak in knowledge, and truly try to expand my mind to solve for any condition.

Emily Anderson

LMT, CMLDT
360 Location

Life Goals

Scuba dive in the Philippines, backpack through the Swiss Alps, learn how to dance, learn how to cook well

Full Bio
Emily Anderson LMT, CMLDT

Hi, I’m Emily. Holistic health has always been a part of my life and is the part of myself I wish to share most. I was brought up in a very health conscious family and was taught at an early age how to care for my body. I remember going around during family get-togethers and giving everyone a back or foot massage. At ten I was having my parents teach me ashiatsu and I've been practicing ever since. Body work is nothing new to me and has always been something I have enjoyed. Each new modality I have had the opportunity to explore, makes me interested in what else is out there for me to learn to become a better practitioner. When I first started hearing about lymphatic drainage I was intrigued, but once I actually began learning about lymph in some depth, I realized it was a missing piece to my holistic approach.

Even though lymphatic work is pretty unique and had some new concepts for me to work through, the work itself felt very familiar to me. As an artist, I spent much of my time in school working with clay. Ceramics and clay sculpting were my main passions growing up. Doing lymphatic drainage feels extremely similar to working with clay. The nature of both is caring and gentle, soft and easy. Lymphatic drainage feels like an art to me. I treat it as such.

To say that just having experience with clay makes me a better lymphatic therapist would be an overreach, but the familiarity of the two modalities has made lymphatic work easy for me to approach with the right attitude. My job is to patiently and compassionately aid in healing journeys. Each client brings a new project that we work through step by step with care and sensitivity, just like any art project I dedicate myself to. I am incredibly grateful to have found work that feels like my favorite hobby and fulfills my passion for body work.

Dr. Amanda Alger

PT, DPT, LMT, CMLDT
MOPAC Location

Life Goals

Visit all the National Parks, backpack in Patagonia, turn my back yard into an urban farm, and learn to water color.

Full Bio
Dr. Amanda Alger PT, DPT, MLD-C

Hi, I’m Amanda. My goal at Austin Lymphatic is to help you achieve your highest level of health and wellbeing. I believe that a combination of therapeutic touch, movement, and education is a truly powerful way for people to feel their best in their bodies. I feel lucky to have found a line of work where I am excited and inspired every day by the prospect to help others and to learn from my clients and colleagues.

I have had a winding career path leading to lymphatic therapy, starting when I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with my Bachelors of Science in Aquatic Biology. I began my career working as an associate cell biologist, but shortly after realized that life behind a microscope was not for me. I changed paths to pursue a career in physical therapy and, after a few grueling years, graduated with honors from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences with my Doctor of Physical Therapy.

I have long held a love of movement and appreciation for the capacity of the human body. A competitive swimmer throughout high school, recreational ballet dancer in college, and now a lover of rock climbing and outdoor activities, I have learned to appreciate many versions of movement, as well as the reality of injuries.

As a physical therapist, I have had the pleasure of working with patients ranging in age from 6 weeks old to 95+ years young. From the start, my passion has been to provide treatment that addresses every person as a unique whole and integrate multiple body systems for optimal healing. Addressing the lymphatic system as part of this whole has been a missing piece in my practice, and I am incredibly grateful that I have found this work.

I have been amazed by the impact lymphatic therapy can have with healing from surgery or trauma, managing chronic conditions, and even helping to overcome plateaus in physical therapy. I strive to create a comfortable atmosphere where my clients feel heard, to address their underlying causes of symptoms, to build resiliency and long-term health. I am passionate about leaving my clients feeling empowered as active participants in their health journey, and having developed a deeper understanding of their bodies.

In my free time, you’ll find me on the trails around Austin with my two dogs, trying not to kill my backyard garden, or volunteering with TreeFolks.

Stephanie Talbott

LMT, CLT, BS
360 Location

Life Goals

Spend a summer backpacking across Europe, eat fresh sushi in Kyoto, see Stevie Nicks perform live, and learn how to use vintage cameras and develop film by hand.

Full Bio
Stephanie Talbott LMT, CLT, BS

Hi, I’m Stephanie!

A native West Texan, my roots in the Lone Star state run deep. After graduating Cum Laude with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from UT Permian Basin, I relocated to Austin. Since being here, I’ve accomplished quite a bit. I went to massage therapy school at The Lauterstein-Conway School and Clinic, became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist through The Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy, and began to understand my relationship with my own physical health from a completely different perspective.

My general philosophy as a practitioner is pretty simple: The tools for your recovery process already lie inside you, but sometimes you just need to be helped along and encouraged by a skilled and knowledgeable facilitator.

Analytical by trade, I love exercising my critical thinking skills and building solutions when problems present themselves during treatment. The lymphatic system is fascinating to me. It is so vital to our general health and wellbeing and I continue to be amazed by how truly incredible the human body is and how we are able to aid in it’s healing and restoration processes. Weather I am working on someone with lymphedema or someone recovering from a recent surgery, I feel so genuinely blessed to have found my calling and serve others in a way that is deeply interesting and rewarding to me on a personal level.

I also really love seafood and warm whether, so if I’m not working, I’m probably outside and eating good food!

Dr. Heather Ubiles

PT, DPT, CMLDT
MOPAC Location

Life Goals

Travel to Europe, sip Sancerre in The Loire Valley, and slowly show my niece and nephew the world!

Full Bio
Dr. Heather Ubiles PT, DPT, CMLDT

Hi, I'm Heather!

I am constantly amazed and inspired by the body's incredible capacity for healing. I am passionate about helping people discover new ways to move their bodies and learn to listen to the feedback that their bodies provide.

I believe that it is necessary to meet each patient where they are and provide individualized care for each person, every single day. I am extremely curious, and I strive to understand the causes of each patient's presentation to develop the most effective plan of care.

I grew up loving the outdoors and always enjoyed a variety of physical activities. I was one of those kids who was exploring the woods or playing games outside from sunrise until the streetlight came on. I have always loved camping, hiking, walking, weight training, Pilates, and swimming in spring-fed rivers. I also loved soccer from 3rd grade through high school, but frequent injuries ended my soccer career prior to college.

Looking back, I understand my healing trajectory and capacity to return to sport would have improved significantly if my orthopedic physicians had referred me to physical therapy and MLD. Seven broken bones and countless ankle sprains later, I discovered physical therapy accidentally after sustaining a serious ankle injury.

I was so fascinated by the healing process and the mind/body connection that I began my path to becoming a physical therapist. I have always been intrigued by neuroscience and initially embarked on a path to become a clinical psychologist and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Psychology.

I love that physical therapy combines my love for neuroscience and neuroplasticity with my love for movement and human connection. I am so grateful that my ankle injury led me to complete my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Texas State University.

I fell in love with the lymphatic system while completing a clinical rotation in Wound Care and Lymphedema CDT at St. David's. I was completely amazed to learn the physiology of the lymphatic system and began to recognize that many of my wound care patients were struggling with edema due to an overload in their lymphatic system which delayed their healing trajectory significantly.

During my outpatient experience, I began to recognize that post-surgical edema and systemic inflammation also delayed the recovery of my orthopedic patients.

This led me to pursue my certification in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and I am thrilled as this technique allows my patients to return to their favorite activities more quickly and dramatically improves their quality of life.

I fell in love with the pelvis while pursuing my doctorate in physical therapy. I learned that this vital region of the body is often skipped over with traditional physical therapy despite the profound amount of muscular attachments, neural pathways, and implications to the body as a whole.

Treating pelvic pain and dysfunction can have such a profound positive impact on the quality of life of my patients and I am passionate about discussing and addressing all things pelvic floor!

When I am not treating patients, I love to travel, camp, try new recipes, listen to podcasts, and find new books at Austin Public Library.

Meghan Schexnaydre

LMT
360 Location

Life Goals

Travel the world, all hikes and swims included!
Become a master gardener and herbalist.
Build an earthship.
Learn how to play the sitar

Full Bio
Meghan Schexnaydre, LMTT

Hi, I’m Meghan, I consider myself a perpetual student on a profound journey towards holistic well-being and the unwavering pursuit of knowledge. My approach to care is rooted in honoring the body's innate wisdom and healing priorities.

My journey into holistic healing began in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and manual therapist. I hold a BS in Kinesiology and Health Science from UT Austin and attended Austin’s Lauterstein-Conway Massage School & Clinic. I’ve also tapped into the world of functional nutrition with extensive studies in GI Healing and Nervous System Regulation, and am certified as a Restorative Wellness Practitioner (RWP-1). As I continued educating myself in shedding the layers of true healing, the art of Manual Lymphatic Drainage came into my life and I found my home at Austin Lymphatic.

I am incredibly amazed by the body’s design and capabilities, and believe that optimizing the function of the Lymphatic System is imperative to embody true wellness from within. In my own time, I am a dedicated yogi and free-spirited traveler at heart - always ready to seek the next adventure this life has to offer.

Kate Campbell

LMT, CMLDT
360 Location

Life Goals

Attend a Permaculture and Master Naturalist Training, Buy a House on Crete, Travel Everywhere, Keep Learning and Growing.

Full Bio
Kate Campbell LMT, CMLDT, MMP

Hi I’m Kate. I have always been fascinated with the human body and truly believe the more you know about how your own body works, the better care you can take of yourself.

This belief has led me through the world of yoga both as a practitioner and teacher and, eventually, to my career as a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist. I very quickly took to this gentle modality and enjoy getting in tune with my clients and aiding in their own healing journey.

I truly love what I do. At Austin Lymphatic my goal is to empower my clients on their own path toward healing and health, through mindful lymphatic work and education. I'm so grateful to have found this amazing work.

I was born and raised in the Northeast, but have called Austin home for over a decade. In my free, time I love learning about native central Texas plants, spending time in my garden, and traveling. Next on my travel list, Edinburgh and Lisbon!

Dr. Vanessa Huffman

DACM, LMT, CMLDT, RYT
360 Location

Life Goals

Kayak with orcas in the Pacific Northwest. Meditate on the Mediterranean shores of Italy. Photograph the wolves in Yellowstone National Park. Build an off-grid writer’s cabin in the woods. Become a published author.

Full Bio
Dr. Vanessa Huffman, DACM, LMT, CMLDT, RYT

Hi, I’m Vanessa:)

My path in holistic medicine started when I became a licensed massage therapist over 15 years ago and has grown to include the practices of acupuncture, yoga, and mindfulness meditation.

As an integratively-minded practitioner, I am always actively searching for evidence-based modalities that are gentle, work with the body’s innate healing ability, and produce measurable improvement for patients.

What I love so much about manual lymphatic drainage is that it can produce deep and immediate positive shifts in how a patient is feeling. It is a wonderful tool for fostering whole health and healing with a gentle, steady, and progressive approach. Over the years, I’ve found this is how our bodies heal best naturally. I am grateful to work with patients and assist them on this path!

On days off, you’ll find me nerding out in continuing education, enjoying a long walk, cooking a new recipe, or hosting a writing group for women.

Tai Hughes

LMT, CMLDT
360 Location

Life Goals

See the Northern Lights, Explore all the National Parks, Explore more of Austin with my Pup, Charlie, and Continue to Learn!

Full Bio
Tai Hughes LMT, CMLDT

With over 20 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist, I firmly believe in the endless pursuit of knowledge. Each individual is unique, which is why I am passionate about expanding my skills and techniques to create a versatile "toolbox." Throughout my career, I have gained valuable expertise in medical, chiropractic, and spa settings.

Chiropractic massage was my initial calling, driven by my desire to alleviate pain in others, particularly those suffering from migraines—a condition I experienced firsthand during my childhood. By incorporating regular adjustments and a dedicated focus on massage therapy, I have witnessed remarkable relief and incorporated these modalities into my skill set.

However, when I discovered lymphatic massage, my true passion ignited. Exploring how the lymphatic system aids in healing fascinated me, and it has become an integral part of my daily work. Additionally, my journey in performing lymphatic massage nurtured a deep interest in pre and post-operative care. I am dedicated to assisting individuals in achieving outer beauty that aligns with their inner beauty.

As a compassionate and knowledgeable therapist, my goal is to establish a safe and comfortable environment that positively impacts the health of all my clients. I am committed to supporting them throughout their wellness journey, fostering their overall well-being.