About Us

Lisa McKelvey, LMT
Lisa studied European Massage and Amma Therapy at The New Center College in New York. She has been a Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas since 1999. She opened Urban Kneads in 2000 to offer a holistic healing and therapeutic approach to bodywork in her neighborhood. Since then she has continued to add like minded Licensed Massage Therapists to join her. She specializes in soothing deep tissue and trigger point therapy while incorporating CranioSacral Therapy (CST), Lymph Drainga Therapy (LDT) and Reflexology to her sessions. Her keen sense of touch and intuition delivers a very healing and nurturing experience.

Kathleen Baskin Smith, LMT
Kathleen Baskin Smith has over 25 years of massage therapy training and experience. In 1974 she graduated with a Biology Degree from the University of Texas Austin. In 1983 Kathleen received certifications in massage therapy from the Phoenix School and Nutritional Counseling from The School of Nutrition. She has additional training in therapeutic assessment, Reike, Aromatherapy, Prenatal Massage and Baby Massage. With her experience in Hatha Yoga since 1972 and Pilates since 1993, she can recommend routines to compliment her massages for the improvement of a variety of chronic conditions and injuries.

Paul Rutledge, LMT
Paul has been a full-time LMT for over 13 years. He feels his work is by far the most fulfilling and rewarding work he has ever done. He has additional training in deep tissue massage, chair massage, Reflexology, Sports Massage and Thai Massage. He also incorporates stretching in all of his sessions.

Cynthia Sara Friend, MS, LMT
Cynthia was trained in Swedish Massage Therapy at Houston Community College. She has taken extensive and specific additional training to address specific healthcare and health enhancing issues. She recieved training with the Upledger Institute in CranioSacral Therapy and is very happy to offer this very gentle light -touch therapy to her clients. In addidtion, she has sought out training in Maya Abdominal Massage. There is one more area in which Cynthia specializes and that is with sick infants. She has been trained by Tiffany Fields, Ph.D at the Touch Research Institute where extensive and published research has been and is being conducted for the last 20 years, documenting the significant benefits to babies in the Neo-Natal Instensive Care Units when massage is practiced in a particular manner on a particular schedule. Cynthia has received additional training in the area of the latest and most innovative practices related to the most effective and beneficial treatment of premature babies in the NICU from Cherry Bond from the United Kingdom. Training with Tiffany Fields and Maya Abdominal Massage also addressed safe and effective massage for pregnant women which also reduces the risk of premature deliveries.

Kelly Smith, LMT
Kelly Smith considers herself first and foremost to be a healer. She is a Reiki Master and an Avatar Master, who gives you a deep sweedish massage that includes energy and intentionality. Kelly believes that you get the most benefit from the massage when there is minimual or no conversation during the course of the massage. Clients report going to another planet during their massages!

Kelly is also a speaker and a life coach and brings her 20 years of teaching and training to groups of people who want to promote a culture of healthy lifestyles and effective communications. She would love to help you organize a program for your organization or group that can includes any combination of an inspirational talk - "Soar to Success minus the stress", chair massage, yoga and/or relaxation techniques.

Rachel Tharp, LMT
Rachel is a graduate of the Texas School of Massage where she studied Swedish Massage and finished in 2007. She also holds certification in Therapeutic, Pregnancy, Post partum, and infant massage from Lyne Archaumbault-Enzen, PT, LMT, co-owner of E'ssential Health and Wellness. Chronic pain led Rachel to seek Structural Integration as a client in 2002. Completion of the S.I. series left her with a sense of wellness and freedom from pain as well as an intense desire to learn Structural Integration Therapy. She completed her studies with Thomas Myers in 2008 and is currently practicing as a Professional Structural Integrator and is a member of the International Association of Structural Integrators.

Denisse Melendez, LMT

Denisse has been licensed in the state of Texas since 2007. Her ardent enthusiasm for massage therapy has led to an extensive knowledge of the human body. Denisse creates customized massages combining trigger point, deep tissue, stretching along with myofascial release techniques that help heal and rejuvenate her clients. Denisse specializes in relieving frozen shoulder syndrome, chronic low back pain, and sciatic pain experienced. She is a believer in creating a nurturing, collaborative relationship between her clients that best works to initiate a healing process.

Kirsten Hardmandt, LMT, CLT

After receiving regular massages at Urban Kneads, Kirsten decided to become a part of the health community.  She began her journey in Bodywork in 2002. Using research based therapy, Kirsten works with you and your health team (physical therapist, neurologist, oncologist, etc). Through constant education, she offers a variety of ways to help you feel good and stay healthy. She recieved her Massage Training at MRC School of Massge, Oncology Massage Certification through MD Anderson's intergrative Medicine Progran, Myofascial Release certification through John F. Barnes, complete Lymphatic Therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage certification through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies, Personal Training certification through PFIT and many other certifications and credentials in anatomy and physiology.