St. Petersburg, FL · 750-Hour Diploma Program
A Different Kind of Massage Therapy Education
Anatomy-Driven. Clinically Focused. Small classes.
Join the founding cohort waitlist for:
Enrollment Announcements
Info Session Invitations
Program Updates
Program approval pending with the Florida Commission for Independent Education.
Our Philosophy
The body is constantly communicating; ease, tension, compensation, and adaptation all provide meaningful information, when you know how to listen.
At Integrated Bodywork Institute, we teach students to recognize patterns, interpret what they feel, and respond with clarity and purpose.
We teach therapists how to think, not just what to do.
Listening is a clinical skill
Intention is the foundation of effective treatment
Technique is only as valuable as the reasoning behind it
Why Choose IBI?
Anatomy-Driven. Clinically Focused. Small Classes.
Our curriculum emphasizes:
Deep anatomical knowledge using advanced tools like the Maniken Clay System and Complete 3D Anatomy.
Palpation and tissue assessment integrated from the first week.
Clinical reasoning and treatment planning, not just protocols.
Evidence-informed practice grounded in current research.
Practicing techniques in guided lab environments.
Applying skills in clinical scenarios and decision-making labs.
Treating real clients in a supervised student clinic.
Our goal is simple: When you enter the field, you feel confident, competent, and respected.
Therapeutic Bodywork Program
Our 180-hour Therapeutic Bodywork program follows a deliberate progression designed to build not just skill but understanding, precision, and clinical confidence.
This is where your training becomes your foundation.
Term 1: Foundations of Therapeutic Bodywork 25 hours
You begin by learning how to see and understand the body through the lens of fascial science and structural relationships. This phase develops a deeper awareness of how the body moves, adapts, and compensates.
Term 2: Neuromuscular Therapy (American Version) 65 hours
Next, you learn how to work with the body using precise, region-specific techniques.
Based on the curriculum of Judith Delany’s Neuromuscular Therapy American Style, this phase builds technical skill, palpation accuracy, and confidence in delivering effective, targeted treatment. *You will be NMT certified upon completion of the massage program.*
Term 3: Orthopedic & Clinical Assessment-Based Treatment Planning 90 hours
Finally, you learn how to think as a practitioner.
This phase integrates assessments, postural analysis, and treatment planning preparing you to adapt your work to real clients and real conditions.
A Pathway Beyond Graduation
Your education doesn’t stop when you finish the program.
IBI has a professional development center that offers:
Continuing education and advanced certifications
Specialized training in emerging therapeutic techniques
Opportunities to stay connected with a community of practitioners
Growth, not just as a student, but as a lifelong practitioner
Program Snapshot
750
Program Hours
8-12
Students Per Class
180
Therapuetic Bodywork Program Hours
$19,500
Tuition
MBLEx
Prep and Tutoring
Day & Evening
Schedules Available
Who Is This Program For?
This program is intentionally designed for a specific kind of student.
Not everyone is a fit and that's by design.
You May Not Be a Fit If You:
Are looking for the fastest or easiest path to licensure
Prefer passive learning over hands-on practice
Want a spa-only focus without clinical depth
Are not interested in anatomy, assessment, or treatment planning
You'll Thrive at IBI If You:
Want to understand the body not just memorize routines
Are curious, engaged, and willing to think critically
Value professionalism and want to be taken seriously in your career
Are motivated to build real clinical skill not just "get through school"
Care about doing meaningful work that helps people
The right environment changes everything; when students are aligned in intention, energy, and commitment, the learning experience becomes more focused, more connected, and far more impactful.
Where your training leads:
Work in chiropractic clinics, rehab centers, private practice, medical and sports settings
Enter a growing field with a median wage of $50K and experienced practitioners earning $70-100K+
Graduate with 150 hours of supervised clinical experience, not just classroom theory
Create unique, individualized treatment plans for your clients
Take the first step
If you're serious about doing this right, this is where you start.
Built by Therapists Who've Done the Work
Heather Graeme
MA, LMT - Co-Founder
Sharon Sunde
MA, LMT - Co-Founder
Integrated Bodywork Institute represents the culmination of over 40 years of clinical and educational work. Heather and Sharon recognized a need in the Tampa Bay area for a more rigorous, anatomy-driven massage program one designed to develop practitioners who can think, assess, and respond with intention.
They share a vision and commitment to raise the standard of massage education.
Frequently Asked Questions
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750 hours total — 570 hours of core curriculum and 180 hours of the Therapeutic Program (fascia, neuromuscular therapy, and orthopedic medical massage). The program exceeds Florida's 500-hour minimum by 250 hours.
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Tuition is $19,500 and covers the full 750-hour program, including MBLEx preparation and supervised clinical experience. Integrated Bodywork Institute is currently a private-pay institution and does not participate in federal financial aid programs at this time. Interest-free payment plans may be available.
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IBI is located in St. Petersburg, Florida, serving the greater Tampa Bay area including Tampa, Clearwater, Largo, and surrounding communities.
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Integrated Bodywork Institute offer both day and evening program options.
Day Program:
Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break at 11:00 AM. The program is divided into three 11-week terms, with a one-week break between terms for time off and approved make-up hours.
Evening Program:
Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with a scheduled break each evening. The evening program is divided into four 11-week terms, with a one-week break between terms for time off and approved make-up hours.
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To support a focused, hands-on learning environment, Integrated Bodywork Institute limits class sizes to a maximum of 12 students per cohort. This small instructor-to-student ratio allows for more individualized guidance, direct feedback, and meaningful hands-on support throughout the program. Space is limited.
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IBI is currently in the process of securing approval from the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and the Commission for Independent Education (CIE). These approvals are required before enrollment can open. Subscribing to our newsletter is the best way to stay updated.
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Yes. MBLEX preparation is integrated throughout the curriculum — not treated as a separate add-on. This includes embedded test-relevant content, frequent review sessions, structured mock exams, and dedicated tutoring at no additional cost.
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Most programs in Tampa Bay are 500–600 hours housed inside cosmetology or beauty schools. IBI is an independent, 750-hour clinically-focused program built around anatomy-driven education, neuromuscular therapy, orthopedic assessment, and 150 hours of supervised clinical practice.
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Not yet. IBI is currently in the permitting and approval process. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive program updates, insights on clinical practice, and priority notification when enrollment opens.
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Graduates will be prepared for work in chiropractic and integrative health clinics, physical therapy and rehabilitation practices, wellness centers, private practice, sports organizations, and hospitality environments. Florida projects 27% job growth for massage therapists through 2032.
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