Meet Our Team
Betty Chrestman, Founder, LMBT, CST
I have been developing and refining my skills in somatic healing for over twenty years, beginning in Oklahoma City where I earned my Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Therapeutic Massage from Heritage College. I also received advanced certification through the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in Acupressure, Kinesiology, and East/West Pathology.
Over the years, I have continued to train extensively in therapeutic massage, energy work, and CranioSacral Therapy, cultivating a style that blends empathy with grounded, clinical insight.
After working in several states and serving as a therapist and backend manager at high-end spas, including Spa Soleil at Marriott Bonvoy on Hilton Head Island, I returned home to Highlands to build a practice rooted in wellness and community — the place I’ve chosen to raise my daughter, Edie.
I believe the body is a conduit for profound healing, especially when a person is ready and open to the work. I am committed to supporting that process with integrity, compassion, and intention.
Cara Chase
Early in life I always felt the need to help and care for others. This interest was further sparked by spending time around elderly relatives, it was here that I first noticed the healing importance of touch in promoting wellbeing. These early experiences planted the seeds for my future in therapeutic massage. I graduated from the therapeutic massage program at SCC and received my licensure in 2020, thereafter working alongside chiropractor Dr. Sue Aery, providing therapeutic massage. Here I was able to hone and advance my skills and knowledge as I developed the ability to blend multiple techniques with intuitive touch to tailor each session to clients' unique needs. Among these techniques, I often incorporate lomi lomi, hot stones, table Thai, shiatsu, cupping therapy, and many others. I believe in the power of holistic healing and the body's innate ability to restore balance and harmony. I approach each session with empathy and intuition, focusing on the client's specific concerns and goals. Whether alleviating chronic pain, reducing stress, or enhancing overall well-being, I am dedicated to helping clients achieve optimal health through therapeutic touch. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two young children, being out in nature, and painting.
Lori Stolze
Born and raised amidst the serene vineyards of Napa, CA, I bring a lifetime of dedication to skincare. Since becoming a licensed aesthetician in 2007, I’ve channeled my passion for healthy, radiant skin into every client experience. My journey began as a teenager struggling with problematic skin. While I appreciated my dermatologist’s expertise, I yearned for options beyond antibiotics and harsh topicals, searching instead for gentle yet effective ways to bring out my skin’s natural resilience.
Now, as a professional, I focus on holistic skin health above all. To me, skincare isn’t about masking imperfections but rather nurturing the skin to reveal its authentic beauty. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those with sensitive or problematic skin, I am here to guide you to solutions that respect and enhance your skin’s natural balance.
Beyond my work, I’m an animal lover, an avid reader, and you can often find me singing my heart out alone in my truck. Let’s work together to bring out your skin’s healthiest, most confident glow—because true beauty starts with healthy, happy skin.
Liz Koman
Liz has always walked a healing path.
With over 20 years of experience—originally rooted in Florida—she brings deep wisdom to her therapeutic bodywork. Trained in Swe-Thai, Lomi Lomi, Deep Tissue, Medical Massage, Thai Massage and more, Liz’s sessions blend technical precision with intuition and what she calls stone magic to restore balance and vitality.
A former RN and current volunteer firefighter, she embodies both exceptional strength and deep compassion. Locally, Liz is known as “the Headache Healer,” offering profound relief for chronic tension and stress through her uniquely attuned touch.
In 2023, she followed a call of the heart to make the mountains of Western North Carolina her home, trusting that the universe had brought her exactly where she’s meant to be.
Alex Somov
Alex
Originally trained in massage therapy as a way to support himself while completing an engineering degree, Alex discovered that healing work was far more than just a side path—it became a grounding force in his life. Though he went on to run a successful construction firm (and raise a busy family in the process), massage remains his personal antidote to stress and a way to stay connected to the art of balance and well-being.
Hanna Bekajdari
Hanna is a licensed Esthetician with over a decade of experience in advanced skincare and body treatments. Originally from Sweden, she moved to New York City at the age of 16, where she balanced work, education, and independence while building a strong foundation in customer service and wellness.
She began her professional journey in the luxury hospitality industry, working for prestigious five-star properties such as The Mark Hotel and Trump Tower in New York City as a room service attendant and front desk concierge. During this time, Hanna pursued her education in esthetics and earned her first esthetician license in New York in 2012.
After becoming licensed, Hanna specialized in laser treatments, body contouring, and advanced skincare, working extensively as a laser technician and Gaia specialist. In 2015, she relocated to Florida, where she upheld her esthetics license and further refined her expertise as a Wax Specialist with European Wax Center. While in Florida, she also expanded her professional skill set through roles as a payroll administrator for Optical Outlets and as a licensed realtor with Coldwell Banker.
In December 2023, Hanna moved to Highlands, North Carolina to care for her grandparents. She has since obtained her North Carolina esthetics license, adding to her fully active and certified licenses in New York and Florida.
Outside of her professional life, Hanna is a devoted mother to her 16-year-old daughter, who is her best friend and greatest motivation. She is also happily engaged to her fiancé, Daniel, who completes their family and brings constant support and joy to their lives. Together with their three dogs—two Labrador Retrievers, Finley and Tank, and an Australian Shepherd named Larry—their home is always full of energy, love, and laughter.
With international roots, multi-state licensure, and a background spanning luxury hospitality and advanced esthetics, Hanna brings a compassionate, client-focused, and results-driven approach to her work. Her commitment to family, caregiving, and professional excellence is at the core of everything she does.