VANESSA BARGER

Vanessa Barger has been a licensed esthetician in the state of Montana since 2010.

Recruited by the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center in Missoula, MT she worked as Lead esthetician and medical assistant. Upon the doctors retirement, Vanessa went back to her roots as a holistic esthetician and opened her own skin care clinic, Empyrean Skin Care. Vanessa knows that true beauty is achieved by creating balance within the body. This conviction lead her to Anne Brahman and ASTECC. After taking Anne’s intro to Dr. Vodder MLD at the IECSC in Las Vegas, she knew she had found the missing link in skin care. MLD truly cleanses and nourishes the skin from the inside out.

At the time, Vanessa’s parents were both ill. Intuition told her that MLD would be a great asset in their quality of life. She petitioned the Dr. Vodder School and ASTECC to allow her into the Advanced Body/Spa Wellness course with the clear understanding that she would stay within her scope of practice at her clinic but could use the advanced techniques on both her parents. Vanessa traveled to Hot Springs in 2014 and completed the Advanced Body/Spa Wellness with Anne. Upon returning home she realized the life-changing difference MLD made for her clients and her family. This sparked her enthusiasm to bring this skill set to her community.

In 2016 Vanessa received her License in Massage Therapy so she could practice as a therapist. Shortly after receiving her license, Vanessa completed Therapy 2 and 3 Complete Decongestive Therapy with the Dr. Vodder School and ASTECC. It was here that she had the great honor of meeting Hildegard Wittlinger and training under her. 

Vanessa now lives with her family in Fernie, British Columbia where she opened The Alchemy of Water, Spa Therapies featuring Manual Lymph Drainage for Vibrant Health and Beauty. During the summer of 2023 Vanessa trained to become one of ASTECC’s highly skilled educators. Vanessa believes Dr. Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage is the golden standard for MLD and that ASTECC is the golden standard for education in spa wellness. She is thrilled to be able to bring this knowledge and skill set to other practitioners.

Degrees, Licensure, and Certificates

  • B.S University of Montana, Forestry Resource Conservation 1999

  • Licensed Esthetician, Montana Academy of Skin Care 2010

  • Certified Reiki II, Your Energy Fix 2014

  • Licensed Massage Therapist, Montana School of Massage 2016

  • Certified Dr. Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist, Dr. Vodder School International 2016

  • Certified Spa Wellness Coach ASTECC, 2020

  • Certified ASTECC Educator, 2023 

Roots

I was born and raised under the smoggy skies of sunny Southern California. That’s where my hint of sass and crass come from.

I spent a year in the midwest attending university, running through endless corn fields and gazing at the eternal night skies. This is where I learned what it meant to be a wild woman.

After moving to Montana I earned my Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Resource conservation from the University of Montana and spent a number of years in the field working as a Biological Technician for the U.S.G.S, the Forest Service, and as a glorified tree planter for an environmental restoration company. This is when I learned how to be that wild woman!

Loves

I love to travel! My wandering tendencies have taught me what it means to be human. Observing, learning and experiencing the diversities of cultures and environments has given me perspective, awareness and empathy. 

I love growing food, medicinal herbs and native plants. The alchemy of food, herbal remedies and skin care tickles my fancy!  

Spending time in the outdoors and connecting with the abundant energies of nature recharges my soul. I have always looked to nature as a guide and teacher and she has never let me down.

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I believe that baths are essential to ones mental health. They are a sacred connection to our beginnings - and my reset button! I don’t know if I would’ve survived this long without them.

I have lost both parents. My mother to Alzheimers and father to Parkinson’s. Both are dreadful diseases and have taught me numerous lessons in their darkness.  

I live with my husband, and son in Fernie, British Columbia but often travel to my home in Missoula, MT for a visit and to teach.

Building intimate relationships with people is my reward for the work I do. It is an honor to gain the trust and vulnerability needed for growth and healing.