About Us
The Kinesiology Institute of Florida can change your life by relieving the stress in your mind, body and spirit by giving you a more positive outlook, more energy, motivation and the opportunity to live the life you want to live! The mission of the Kinesiology Institute of Florida is to promote the professional practice of massage therapy and other complementary therapies.
Our goal at the Kinesiology Institute of Florida is to provide exceptional massage and kinesiology services to our clients. We are particularly focused on serving our nation’s veterans, especially those who have suffered injury or trauma as a result of their service.
In honor and memory of Jesse Daniel Irwin, USN
1988-2017
Joellie Gonseth, BS, LMT–MA 15409
The Founder, Program Director, and primary instructor of the Kinesiology Institute of Florida.
A massage therapist since 1993, Joellie Gonseth has extensive training and experience in a wide variety of modalities including medical massage (training with a functional neurologist) and hospice and cancer-based massage. She developed the curriculum for Oriental Theory, Neuromuscular, and deep tissue therapies while teaching Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology for the massage therapy program for the Marion County School system. She is certified in Complete Decongestive Therapy (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) and as a Massage for Cancer instructor. Certified as a Touch for Health Kinesiology instructor in 1995, Joellie has training and professional experience in many energy-based systems such as the PKP Program, Edu-K, Brain Gym, and EFT, among others.
Major Certifications include:
-
- Touch for Health I-IV, Touch for Health Instructor
- International College of Professional Kinesiology Practitioner’s Program
- Massage for People with Cancer: Intensive for Instructor’s of Bodywork
- Complete Decongestive Therapy/Manual Lymphatic Therapy
- Clinical Applications of Advance Acupressure–Charles Krebs, PhD
- Micro point Stimulation, Dolphin Neurostim
- Neuromuscular Therapy (St. John)
- PTSD and Trauma, Crisis Counseling
- PTSD, Trauma and Anxiety Disorders, Institute for Natural Resources
- Thai Massage, Margie Meshew
- Health Coaching, US Health Foundations
- Clinical Protocols for Whiplash, Colibri
- Rehabilitative Fitness Specialist (personal trainer), ISFTA
Joellie graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Crisis Counseling and went on to become an ESE teacher (Exceptional Student Education) and taught Autistic students at the high school level, grades 9-12. She now teaches continuing education for massage therapists and offers classes in Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Complimentary Therapies for PTSD and Trauma, and Functional Muscle Assessment and Correction, among others.
She has extensive experience working with those diagnosed with PTSD and other trauma related issues. As an Advanced Kinesiology Practitioner with more than twenty five years of experience in the field of Kinesiology, her goal is to inspire, motivate and empower her clients and students to access the somatic memories that prevent them from resolving trauma and finding true happiness.
Along with her husband Bruce, Joellie provides exceptional massage therapy and Kinesiology services in the Marion County area and continuing education classes throughout the United States. She provides medical massage and bodywork to our nation’s veterans through the VA’s Community Care Network and is also a busy Master Gardener with the University of Florida Extension Office in Marion County.
Reverend Bruce A. Gonseth, Sr., LMT–MA 59342
A retired military veteran, Bruce Gonseth has a background in law enforcement, and as an EMT, firefighter, and Certified Nursing Assistant. A massage therapist since 2009, Bruce served as the Florida State Massage Therapy Association’s chapter president for six years. Bruce specializes in deep tissue massage and is certified in Active Isolated Stretching. He has an extensive background working with military personnel and veterans and formerly served as the Housing and Property Manager for Volunteers of America, an organization dedicated to helping homeless veterans in the Marion County area. He also serves as a chaplain with Inter-America’s Chaplains Association and as the former Commanding Officer of the Ocala Sea Anchor Division of the US Naval Sea Cadets, an organization designed to provide youths with positive alternative to drugs, alcohol and gang violence.
Bruce is also Reiki master, spiritual counselor, and Business Manager of the Kinesiology Institute of Florida. He is a lead facilitator for Volunteers of America’s ReST program. VOA|ReST is a free, confidential, group process that supports emotional resilience in people struggling with isolation, fatigue, frustration, anxiety, and a sense of inadequacy or failure. Developed by an expert team led by Dr. Rita N. Brock, Director of the Shay Moral Injury Center at Volunteers of America, this telehealth program provides support, wherever it is needed, to fortify the moral resilience of those on the front-lines of pandemic and disaster relief work.
Our therapists have completed required courses of study, agree to abide by a code of ethics and standards of practice, and use approved class manuals when teaching.
- Joellie M. Gonseth, BS, LMT — MA 15409
- Rev. Bruce A. Gonseth Sr., LMT, CNA — MA 59342
- Kinesiology Institute of Florida — MM 12538