Kathleen Duffy Remains Hands on in Her New Profession

Winthrop High School parents and students knew Kathleen Coffey Duffy as the professional and helpful assistant in the main office for the past seven years.

After leaving that position in July, Duffy has begun a new career as a licensed massage therapist at her own studio, Healing Hearts Therapeutic Massage for Women, located at the Winthrop Healing Center, 260 Revere Street.

“The business is going very well,” said Duffy. “A lot of women from Winthrop and other communities have been coming to studio on a regular basis for massage therapy. I’m excited by the response to my studio.”

A “new client special” has proven to be a popular choice. First-time clients can receive a 60-minute massage session for $55 or a 90-minute massage for $85. Swedish, deep tissue, and myofascial release massages are available.

Duffy attended Cortiva Institute in Watertown, graduating from the school with more than 750 hours of instruction and application in massage therapy prior to receiving her license.

Though she is licensed to provide massage therapy to men and women, Duffy’s studio is exclusively for women.

“I decided to work with women because when I was in school and I was seeing clients, I really related to the women and the stress they carry. My studio is more therapeutic so I work in the healing aspect of massage. I can customize a massage to whatever a woman’s needs are or wherever her tension is.”

Duffy said she massage therapy can help a person feel good about themselves while improving health and preventing physical ailments.

“What I’m trying to promote for women is self love and self care,” said Duffy. “Massage is very important for increasing the circulation in your body for inflammation and flexibility. It helps boost your immune system. It helps with chronic pain and it also helps with the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can be preventative if you’re getting massages monthly and paying attention to your posture and other things you are doing.”

Duffy recommends monthly sessions for the clients.

A Winthrop High 1984 graduate, Kathleen is the oldest of five children. Her brother, James, was the athletics director at Winthrop High School and now holds the AD position in Beverly. Her brother, Steve, played professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs system. She also has a sister, Diana, and a brother, Tom, who played sports at Winthrop High School.

She and her husband, John, have four children, Kelleigh, a graduate of Lyndon State in Vermont, John, a graduate of the University of Vermont, Connor, a student at Salem State, and Molly, a senior at Winthrop High.