Press Inquiries
The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy is the premier study abroad program in the world for Massage Training Programs!
Students receive an outstanding education that prepares them to perform at a highly-skilled level in the massage therapy industry. The CRSMT curriculum builds a solid foundation of knowledge in combination with advanced skills such that students graduate well equipped to provide customized therapeutic massage treatments to safely and effectively address everything from relaxation to sports-related injuries. Graduates of the CRSMT massage training programs are eligible for licensing in most of the United States and many other places around the world.
Committed to excellence, and maintaining the tradition of massage as an art form; the education at our massage school balances the sciences of the human body, the artistic techniques of massage and bodywork, modern business strategies, and holistic lifestyle principles. An underlying acknowledgment and celebration of the human spirit creates personal and spiritual depth to the program.
Please direct all press inquiries to:
Bill Burden
bill@crsmt.com
Director of Marketing
Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy
Tess McGrath, Executive Director
Linkedin
After graduating from Lehigh University, where she studied Accounting and Finance and was the captain of the women’s lacrosse team, Tess traveled extensively throughout the United States, New Zealand, and Kenya for nearly a year and a half. While in Kenya, she worked for a micro-finance organization helping to launch small businesses. Tess first came to Samara to work for Asociacion CREAR, a local non-profit organization, in June of 2012 as a continuation of her Master’s thesis work in Kenya. In December of 2012, she graduated from SUNY Albany with a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management and quickly returned to Samara to pick up where she left off. In January of 2014, Tess joined the CRSMT team, excited and ready to put her unique set of skills to work. She is an integral part of the staff providing support to both instructors and students as they embark upon a new chapter of their lives. She also continues to work closely with CREAR as a board member. She is passionate about holistic living, traveling, and connecting with nature. She loves to go on adventures with her family and friends in her free time.
Janet Frus, Director of Education and Lead Instructor
Linkedin
Jan is the Director of Education and Lead Instructor at CRSMT. She is a licensed massage therapist and registered nurse. She teaches western massage techniques and hydrotherapy classes and is our Clinic Supervisor. She’s also a CRSMT alumna. She has always felt passionate about helping people, especially helping people with their healing journey. Jan first pursued this passion as an emergency room nurse. In that role, she received specialized training including becoming a Trauma Nurse Specialist, teaching the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, and training to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. After 15 years in the emergency room, she was ready for a change but still wanted to help people. She has been receiving bodywork since the age of 11 and knows firsthand the power it has to change someone’s life. She found CRSMT and fell in love with the school and Costa Rica. Jan is delighted to be back at the school, offering a unique perspective as someone who’s, “been there,” and knows what wonderful things happen when you follow the school’s advice and, “trust the process!”
Bill Burden, Director of Marketing
Linkedin
Bill leads the admissions, marketing, and technology departments at CRSMT. Bill was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona. He has worked in management, sales, and marketing for over 15 years in the fields of hospitality, technology, and education. He is also a certified English teacher and holds a master’s degree in International Education from Framingham State University. He loves working in the area of educational tourism, and also provides consulting in the areas of design and digital marketing for local businesses and serves on the board of directors of the local non-profit, Asociación CREAR. Bill is passionate about photography, adventures, and spending time with friends and family.
history of costa rica school of massage therapy
The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy was founded in 2003 with the specific intent of creating an environment that would break the mold with regard to massage therapy education. The dream was to allow for a deeper and more profound experience and outcome by providing a comprehensive curriculum and expert instruction in a focused, natural, and awe-inspiring environment.
The school has been located in Samara, Costa Rica since its origin and has since gone through growth and change to establish itself in its current gated, residential campus in central Samara. Over the years, CRSMT has graduated over 700 amazing and talented massage therapists who are making a positive impact in the wellness industry worldwide. Our graduates carry forward the knowledge, skills, and values they have gained at CRSMT, contributing to the betterment of their communities and the massage therapy profession.
The school changed ownership in 2015, continuing with the original dream of providing an unparalleled experience and education. The program also expanded in 2015 to include a 600-hour core curriculum with opportunities and options for up to 700 hours of education in western and eastern massage modalities. In 2020, CRSMT reached a new milestone when it was granted institutional accreditation through COMTA, the Commission of Massage Therapy Accreditation.
In 2024, CRSMT proudly offered its first COMTA Accredited 750-hour program, further solidifying its commitment to high educational standards and professional training. This achievement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to provide exceptional training to aspiring massage therapists.
Giving Back to the community
Our school has always been deeply integrated into the community that has warmly welcomed us. Through numerous philanthropic efforts, CRSMT has given back to the local community in numerous ways. Our scholarship program has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to Costa Rican massage therapy students, ensuring that talented individuals have the opportunity to pursue their passion regardless of financial barriers.
In addition to our scholarship program, CRSMT has donated tens of thousands of dollars to local non-profit organizations and causes. These contributions support a diverse range of initiatives, including Asociacion CREAR, which offers after-school programs for local children and career development programs for local youth. We also support local schools in the area including the public school and the non-profit, bilingual Samara Pacific School, local sports teams such as the Samara Beach Football Team, and women's causes.
Additionally, every class term we partner with Asociacion CREAR to provide free massage therapy to the community in a fun day of cultural exchange. We invite community members to enjoy receiving bodywork, set up activities for the kids, and learn how to make Costa Rican tamales from the community members.
The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy remains committed to excellence in education and community involvement, continuously striving to make a difference in the lives of our students and the broader community.
![crsmt community event non-profit partnership crsmt community event non-profit partnership](https://crsmt.com/hubfs/crsmt%20community%20event%20non-profit%20partnership.webp)