
Q – Tell us about your School’s history, Founders and Faculty?
A – The History of Healing Hands School of Holistic Health began in the early 90’s when Paula and Neha Curtiss developed a Massage Technician course at Mira Costa Community College in Oceanside. Their 100-hour course was the very first massage training education offered at any community college in the state of California. Their efforts proved so successful they decided to start their own school and founded Healing Hands in 1992.
As years passed, Paula and Neha expanded the curriculum to include both Eastern and Western modalities and integrative therapies that allowed students a wide range of therapeutic skills.

With the help of a few select Instructors, Paula and Neha taught the curriculum for the Healing Hands 600-hour Massage Therapy Program. Later, they chose to offer a more advanced, 1000-hour Holistic Health Practitioner Program with dozens of Electives. They then began seeking Instructors who specialized in a variety of modalities. For example, our Hot-stone Massage Instructor has done thousands of hours of Hot-stone Massage. Our Structural Integration (SI) Instructor also has thousands of hours of SI experience and is renown for his expertise.
The bottom line is, our Faculty really cares about what they teach and are supported and guided in their efforts by Paula & Neha whose desire is to help them become the best mentors possible. At Healing Hands, the students benefit from their Instructors work-experience, compassion and insight as well as their knowledge and skills. Today, the school employs close to 20 Instructors and staff and offers nearly 2000 hours of specialized courses in Massage Therapy and integrative Holistic therapies.
Q – Tell us why Students Choose Healing Hands?
A – Students choose Healing Hands for our Reputation, Rates, Locations and Flexible Scheduling! We’re been the trail blazers for education in the Holistic Healing Arts for over 27 years. We’ve grown to three SoCal locations; Escondido, Kearny Mesa, and Laguna Hills. Unlike other Massage schools, Healing Hands allows students to tailor their program to their area of interest; allowing a customized educational experience. Our Program Rates are the most affordable in the State, and our National Accreditation authorizes us to accept Federal Funding on behalf of our students. This includes Financial Student Aid, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding and Veteran’s Benefits.

Other enticing offerings for Healing Hands Students include our Student Massage Clinic and Community Service Outreach program. In addition to the hundreds of hours of practice in the classroom, each location has a Student Clinic which is open to the Public. Outreach and Clinic work gives students plenty of real-world experience before they graduate. In Escondido and Kearny Mesa Students focus efforts at Wounded Warrior Clinics and Veterans Hospitals. In Laguna Hills, however, our Community Service students work at area Nursing Homes, Chiropractic Offices and Rehab Centers.
Students also choose Healing Hands because of our popularity among area Employers. In business nearly 30 years, our Graduates are so well known and respected by Massage Therapist Employers our Career Placement Office receives dozens more jobs opportunities monthly than we have graduates to fill them. This means Graduates can anticipate a wide selection of career opportunities upon Graduation and State Certification.
Q – Must students commit to a Program of study at Healing Hands, or may they take individual classes as their schedules permit?
A – No commitment to a Program is necessary. We have students who come to us for a specific class, like Thai Massage (coming to Escondido in October), Herbal Studies and Applications (coming to Laguna Hills in October) or Spa Techniques (Coming to Kearny Mesa in December) because it is something of special interest to them. Others might want to enroll in a Program, but their busy lives only have time for classes once or twice a year. Then there are those who are just beginning to explore options and may take a class to see if this career path feels right. Regardless of their reason, we welcome all students and allow enrollment to any class that does not have a pre-requisite.
Healing Hands’ Faculty has provided an exceptional educational experience and prepared more than 7,500 Graduates for successful careers as Professional Massage Therapists. Our Admission’s Team stands ready to help you explore if a career in the Holistic Healing Arts may be right for you. Learn more online at www.HealingHandsSchool.com or call us to arrange a personal tour – Call (949) 305-2722 in Laguna Hills, (858) 505-1100 in Kearny Mesa or (760) 746-9364. Healing Hands School of Holistic Health is “Touching Lives, Touching Hearts”, since 1992.
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