About Us

About Us

The Kinesiology Institute of Florida is veteran owned, veteran operated.    With over 42 years of combined experience, the mission of the Kinesiology Institute of Florida is to promote the professional practice of medical massage therapy and innovative somatic therapies for trauma and injuries.

Our goal at the Kinesiology Institute of Florida is to provide exceptional massage and kinesiology services to our clients from all walks of life.   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

Be the One

Today, the No. 1 issue facing the veteran community is suicide, according to the  National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.   It is estimated that between 17 and 22 veterans or servicemembers take their lives each day. That’s more than 6,000 annually. The rate of suicide for veterans is more than 50% higher than that of non-veteran adults. As the Global War on Terrorism continues, there will be more veterans facing mental-health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder.  Join us and the American Legion in their Be the One program to destigmatize asking for mental health support, provide peer-to-peer support and resources, and educate everyone on how they can Be the One to help prevent veteran suicide  

What will Be the One achieve? 

At its core, The American Legion is activating a national platform to reduce the rate of veteran suicide. The Be the One campaign will: 

  • Destigmatize asking for mental health support, creating opportunity for those with mental health issues to speak freely and get the support they need. 
  • Provide peer-to-peer support and resources in local communities. 
  • Deploy FDA-approved therapeutics for veterans to identify issues and find resources for support. 

For more information on this program visit:  https://www.legion.org/betheone

 

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 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 ICPKP 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, Somatic 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, is certified in Active Isolated Stretching, and a Reiki master.  He serves as the Business Manager for the Kinesiology Institute of Florida.  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 currently serves as treasurer for the Marion County Veterans Council, is the lead mentor for Marion County Veterans Drug Treatment Court, and as Commander for American Legion Post 284 in Belleview.

 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
  • Bruce A. Gonseth Sr., LMT, CNA — MA 59342
  • Kinesiology Institute of Florida — MM 12538