Empowering Massage Therapists Through Education, Specialization, and Financial Freedom
We Know the Challenges You Face—We’ve Been There Too.
Being a massage therapist is about more than just technique. It’s about having the right education, the right support, and the right business knowledge to build a thriving career. Yet, too often, specialized training is inaccessible, and financial uncertainty holds talented therapists back.
Advanced Massage Specialty Group (AMSG) bridges that gap. Founded in 2020 by Felicia Newsome and Rebecca Smith, AMSG is designed to equip massage therapists with the specialized skills and business acumen they need to thrive.
Our mission is threefold:
✔ Empower therapists with financial literacy so they can build sustainable careers and serve their communities with confidence.
✔ Deliver high-quality, medically informed continuing education in oncology massage, lymphatic therapy, and other specialized modalities.
✔ Prepare therapists to become the next generation of continuing education providers, equipping them with the confidence and foundation to draw from their breadth of knowledge, and share their expertise for the benefit of the massage profession at large.
Felicia Newsome’s professional path began in the high-energy world of music production, managing complex creative projects, including the building, launch and oversight of Daddy’s House Recording Studio. After 16 years in the entertainment industry, she felt called to something more grounded—work centered on wellness, balance, and meaningful connection.
That calling brought her to the Swedish Institute, where she became a licensed massage therapist and soon discovered a deep passion for Oncology Massage. Her commitment to service took root at Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Integrative Medicine Center and flourished in her leadership role as a senior therapist in the early development of the Oncology Massage Program at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center.
It was at NYU where Felicia’s work intersected with a powerful community of like-minded professionals, including Rebecca Smith, leading to their collaboration in creating the CATA Oncology Massage Training & Certificate Program. Together, they were also key contributors to the creation of the NCBTMB Specialty Certificate in Oncology Massage —a national milestone in legitimizing this specialized field.
Driven by a vision of equity and empowerment, Felicia co-founded Advanced Massage Specialty Group (AMSG) with Rebecca to offer education that is both affordable and transformative. Through AMSG, she continues to train therapists in clinical massage care, while also equipping them with the business and financial skills needed to thrive.
“Collaboration has always been at the heart of my journey—from recording studios to hospital rooms. At AMSG, we build a community where therapists are not just prepared for the work—they are empowered to lead, sustain, and transform it.”
From Music Studios to Oncology Massage: Felicia Newsome’s Journey in Collaborative Care
From Dance to Oncology Massage: Rebecca Smith’s Calling to Collaborative Healing
Rebecca Smith’s journey into bodywork began through the lens of movement. She developed a deep awareness of the body’s capacity—and vulnerability during her professional dance training and career. Her early work in Pilates, injury prevention, and post-rehab training laid the groundwork for a lifelong dedication to healing through touch and informed movement.
But it was personal experience that turned that dedication into purpose. Witnessing her mother’s post-mastectomy recovery and cancer treatment, and later navigating her own breast cancer diagnosis, Rebecca recognized the profound gaps in care for individuals dealing with cancer. She knew change was needed—and that she wanted to help lead it.
She pursued advanced training in Lymphatic Therapy, CranioSacral Therapy, and Oncology Massage, eventually serving as Senior Lymphatic Therapist at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, where she worked alongside Felicia Newsome, developing the lymphatic program for the oncology massage service. Her collaboration on creating the CATA Oncology Massage Training & Certificate Program led to them co-creating the CATA Oncology Massage Studio. Rebecca deepened her specialization in post-mastectomy pain, lymphedema, and oncology-informed care when she joined Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Integrative Medicine Service.
Now, through AMSG, Rebecca continues to advocate for therapists as essential partners in health care. Her deep understanding of movement and the lymphatic system shapes her teaching and mentorship, helping practitioners grow in both skill and confidence.
“My journey from dancer to therapist showed me how vital it is to have knowledgeable, compassionate professionals supporting those going through health challenges. With AMSG, we want to make sure no therapist feels unprepared, whether caring for clients or managing their own self-care."
AMSG is a true labor of love and joy, reflecting our collaborative spirit and shared commitment to education, professional development and the power of community.
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