FOCUSING ON MIND + BODY
- Feb 26
- 10 min read
Updated: Feb 27
In a time when health and wellness have rightfully taken center stage, many of us are seeking more thoughtful, effective ways to care for both mind and body. The good news? The Cape Fear region is home to a growing community of innovative therapies and dedicated holistic practitioners who are redefining what well-being can look and feel like.
Story By Chris Martin
Q&A with Owner Trish Holmes
I’ve spent the last 18 years in plastic surgery and medical aesthetics, and my favorite moment is when someone looks in the mirror and says, “I love it,” because they feel more confident yet still completely themselves. My husband and I are both from Wilmington, so opening Self Skin Studio here felt really meaningful, and honestly, like the perfect place for us to build Self. It came from a simple idea. I wanted a studio that felt elevated but still laid-back. Warm, welcoming, fun to walk into, and genuinely focused on the patient experience. The kind of place you want to come back to, not just check off an appointment.
We’re also intentionally curated. We don’t try to do everything. We offer a limited menu of corrective skin treatments, injectables, and products we truly believe in, and we focus on being the very best at those. From the first hello at the front desk to what happens in the treatment room, every detail is thought out. My favorite compliment is when someone leaves and says, “Okay… you’ve got to try this place.”
What makes Self Skin Studio unique?
For us, wellness is feeling good in your skin, both physically and emotionally. It’s that moment you look in the mirror and think, “I feel like me again.” Not filtered. Not overdone. Just healthy, cared for, and confident. Aesthetic treatments can be a really positive part of self-care when they’re done thoughtfully. It’s not about chasing perfection. It’s about supporting skin health, softening what’s been bothering you, and helping you feel refreshed. We want patients to leave feeling listened to and cared for.
How do Hydrafacials, chemical peels, and laser treatments support long-term skin health and overall well-being?
Skin health is the foundation of everything we do. And yes, of course, these treatments feel amazing. But they also do real, corrective work for your skin. They’re how we improve tone, texture, clarity, and collagen over time. We’re also really practical about it. You can do the best treatment in the world, but if your home routine is overwhelming, results won’t last. So we focus on building a simple, realistic plan you can actually stick to, something that fits your schedule, your skin, and your lifestyle. The goal is long-term progress, not a quick fix that fades.
How do injectables like Botox, fillers, Sculptra, and PRP help patients feel refreshed and confident?
When done naturally and with a customized approach, they’re powerful tools. Our injectors follow a “less-is-more” philosophy. Botox softens expression lines and helps prevent deeper wrinkles. Fillers restore balance and volume. Sculptra stimulates collagen for gradual, natural support, and PRP improves skin quality and gives a rested, healthy glow. It’s all about facial balance—looking like you, just refreshed, brighter, and confident.
For someone visiting Self Skin Studio for the first time, what treatment or experience would you recommend as a thoughtful introduction?
We’re big on making the first visit feel comfortable and not intimidating. Every appointment starts with a consultation. You’ll meet with a provider who listens, does a full assessment, and helps build a skin wellness plan that fits your goals, budget, and day-to-day routine. If someone is curious about injectables, Botox is a great place to start. It’s quick, subtle, and helps you look refreshed without looking overdone. The main thing is you don’t have to come in knowing exactly what you need. We guide you.
Q&A with Owners Rachel and Bram Colonna
How would you describe Woodhouse Spa’s wellness philosophy, and how does it guide the experiences you create?
Woodhouse Spa focuses on holistic treatments for the mind and body. Our providers have a deep understanding of skincare and body conditioning, and therefore are able to respond to our Guests needs and recommend treatments accordingly. We understand our guests seek out spa experiences for a lot of different reasons–from sheer relaxation and pampering to addressing a specific issue–and therefore no one ‘wellness philosophy’ is alike. The experiences we create range accordingly–from basic to advanced facials, massages, body treatments, and more. What’s most important is guests can rely on a consistent experience at Woodhouse–one that’s elevated in environment, amenities, and care..
What makes Woodhouse Spa unique?
Woodhouse Spa Wilmington uniquely goes beyond the typical quick-service spa experience by offering a sanctuary of relaxation and mindful rejuvenation. From the moment guests walk in, the care they receive is elevated among the rest. This starts with dropping their belongings into a private locker and slipping into a plush robe and comfortable slippers. This act alone encourages a deeper level of release from any stress they’re carrying and a higher level of mindfulness throughout their experience.
Your treatments emphasize relaxation and renewal. How do they support stress relief, emotional balance, and overall wellbeing?
Scientifically-backed studies show spa experiences–especially those received regularly for long-term care–provide significant benefits for physical, mental, and emotional health. Benefits include stress reduction, faster muscle recovery from training, lowered blood pressure, better mental clarity, higher productivity, and more. We firmly believe self-care is the most essential thing for overall wellbeing, and holistic spa treatments are an excellent addition to anyone’s regular self-care routine.
For first-time guests, which treatment do you recommend as an introduction and what benefits can they expect afterward?
A “WH Signature” facial or massage is always a good option for first-time guests to experience The Woodhouse Way and a more traditional treatment that can be further enhanced based on guest interest and self-care needs. For facials, Signature options include Lift + Sculpt or Skin Barrier Renewal, both which focus on exfoliation, collagen stimulation, and leaving guests with glowing skin. For massages, Signature options include Calming Retreat or Deep Tissue Transformation, both which address head-to-toe muscle relaxation, though one more intense than the other.
Q&A with Owner Kellen Smith
I have been a nurse for over ten years, and about five years into my career — while living in Hawai‘i — I felt a calling to support people in a more holistic way, addressing not just physical symptoms but their emotional and energetic well-being as well.
As I attended workshops, took classes, and explored different healing modalities, I found meditation particularly challenging. Quieting my mind felt nearly impossible. But during my first sound bath, something shifted. The vibrations and soothing tones allowed me to settle into a deeply restorative state without effort. For the first time, I experienced true stillness. I would leave each session feeling grounded, reconnected, and emotionally reset. When I moved to Wilmington three and a half years ago, I noticed there were very few sound healing offerings available. That realization sparked my interest to pursue training and begin offering this powerful modality to the community and help expand access to it. Sound healing transformed my own relationship with stress and stillness, and it is now an honor to create those same restorative experiences for others.
What makes Sound Healing unique?
What sets my practice apart is the integration of my nursing background with holistic healing. I understand the physiological effects of stress, and I intentionally create sessions that allow participants to feel safe and accessible. I also focus on creating meaningful experiences rather than just events. From beach sound baths to collaborative wellness offerings, I strive to foster a sense of community connection while supporting individual healing.
Sound baths, vibrational therapy, and guided meditation are central to your offerings. How do these practices support emotional balance, stress reduction, and overall well-being?
Sound baths, vibrational therapy, and guided meditation work together to calm the nervous system, release stored tension, and gently restore emotional balance. Sound therapy specifically works through a process called entrainment, where the brain synchronizes with external frequencies. The tones and vibrations of the various instruments during a sound healing help shift brainwaves into slower states associated with relaxation and healing, allowing the nervous system to move into “rest and restore.” Shifting the body into this state supports reduced anxiety, improved sleep, emotional clarity, and a greater sense of grounding. With consistent sound healing sessions, it allows the participant not just a temporary calm, but a more balanced baseline.
For someone new to sound healing, which session or experience would you recommend as a first introduction, and what kinds of benefits might they notice afterward?
I recommend starting with a traditional group sound bath. It’s a welcoming, supportive environment where there is no pressure to “do” anything. You simply bring a yoga mat, blankets, or whatever helps you feel comfortable, settle in, and allow the vibrations of the singing bowls to gently guide your nervous system into a calmer state.
After their first session, many people notice a deep sense of relaxation, improved sleep, reduced tension, emotional lightness, clearer thinking, and a stronger feeling of grounding. Sound healing isn’t about fixing something that is broken; it’s about reconnecting with what it feels like to be present, regulated, and whole. In today’s fast-paced world, that pause can be incredibly powerful.
Q&A with Liana Johns
Liana Johns, owner of Prana Salt Cave, embodies the rare balance of entrepreneurial vision and soulful intention. In 2014, she earned her RYT 500 certification through the Kunga Yoga and Lifestyle training at Wilmington Yoga Center, deepening a practice rooted not only in movement, but in service and transformation. With a background in hospitality and a bachelor’s degree in Business from UNC–Wilmington, Liana understood both the art of caring for people and the strategy required to build something meaningful. Yet even with professional success, she felt called toward something more—work that would help others unlock their fullest potential while honoring her own path of growth.
That calling crystallized during a visit to her first salt cave in Asheville, North Carolina. Intrigued by the experience, she immediately recognized its potential. The entrepreneur in her saw an opportunity to introduce something entirely new to her community. The creative spirit in her saw something deeper: a sanctuary for healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual.
What makes Prana Salt Cave unique?
At Prana Salt Cave, we believe real healing begins when the nervous system feels safe, supported, and at ease. Every detail—soft lighting, calming atmosphere, salt beneath your feet, and the way you’re welcomed—is intentionally designed to help you slow down, soften, and reset. We offer Halotherapy, or Dry Salt Therapy, inside our salt cave, where a halogenerator disperses a fine salt mist into the air. As you breathe it in, the salt helps open lung passageways and may ease respiratory and skin conditions, arthritis, and anxiety—while also promoting deep relaxation and emotional renewal.
There’s nothing to fix here. Just space to breathe, rebalance, and leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected than when you arrived.
Halotherapy, salt caves, and guided relaxation are at the heart of what you offer. How do these therapies support respiratory health, stress relief, and overall wellbeing?
Halotherapy works on both a physical and nervous-system level. The micronized salt particles help support respiratory health by naturally cleansing the airways, reducing inflammation, and easing congestion—making it especially beneficial for allergies, asthma, sinus issues, and seasonal illness.
At the same time, the salt cave environment promotes deep relaxation. When paired with guided relaxation, sound, or bodywork, it encourages the nervous system to shift out of stress mode and into rest and repair. Many guests notice improved sleep, reduced anxiety, clearer breathing, and an overall sense of grounded wellbeing after sessions.
Q&A with Owner, Cameron Martin
Growing up, my family owned a seafood restaurant, and I saw firsthand how stress can impact the body. As soon as I could reach the deep fryer, I was slinging hushpuppies and prepping food in the back. I might have been the first kid under 16 with severe migraines and chronic back pain. I moved to Wilmington in 2007, became a Firefighter, and tended bar on the nights I wasn't at the station. In 2013, I decided it was time to follow my passion. I hunkered down, got my massage license and started Shine On in 2014. At first, I was only doing mobile massages. That grew old very quickly, so I decided it was time to get a brick-and-mortar. I found a tiny room above Hell's Kitchen on Princess St., and I hit the ground running. After one year, I outgrew my little room, took on space in the Murchison Building, and hired my first two therapists. During my time in the Murchison Building, I expanded Shine On 4 times, opened a bar right down the hall, sold the bar 2 years later, and used the money to open our new full-blown wellness center in the Cargo District.
What makes Shine On unique?
What sets us apart from other massage businesses is that we do not try to fit in by any means. All of our staff have unique skill sets and personalities, and when you walk through our door, you can see that we are all just one big massage family. We do not offer cookie-cutter services. At Shine On, we really listen to our clients and make it our priority to address their exact needs and create their perfect "Wellness Prescription." We also have a very particular aesthetic that my wife, Anna and I came up with together. We noticed that many massage studios and spas had the same oatmeal-and-beige look. Shine On is moody as moody gets, and there are probably 100 plants growing from every which angle in our studio, as our regulars love to say, it's a vibe!
Do you offer any signature or standout massage treatments?
One thing we take a lot of pride in is being THE place to go if you want TRUE deep tissue. As a licensed LMT myself, I cannot tell you how many times I have booked a deep tissue massage on a trip and felt like I was being petted the entire time. All of our services include complimentary hot stones, hot towels, and aromatherapy upon request. We offer Thai Fusion Massage, manual lymphatic drainage, and 3 of the best prenatal therapists in town. We can also book up to 4 couples' massages at a time, which I just learned is not very common, so that makes me pretty proud.
Q&A with Owner Buffy Andrews
Buffy Andrews, a seasoned licensed clinical social worker with over 11 years of experience, is the driving force behind the Made Well Center. Trained in trauma-informed interventions and holistic and natural health practices, Buffy saw a need for holistic and integrated care in our community. She also recognized the importance of highly trained and quality clinicians who work on behalf of their clients with a sense of radical hope. Her vision was to create a space where everyone could feel hope and a possibility for healing.
What makes the Made Well Center for Wholeness unique?
At the Made Well Center, we are committed to supporting your journey to wellness. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including traditional mental health counseling, therapeutic intensives, nutritional therapy, gut health testing, monthly get well gatherings, and yearly women's retreats. Our goal is to help you heal on all fronts and strengthen your mind, body & spirit connection, ensuring that all your needs are met under one roof.
What is the most sought-after service at Made Well Center?
Our most sought-after service is our mental health counselling sessions. However, we've introduced a groundbreaking Healing Intensive program that allows clients to delve deep into their struggles. This unique program compresses 5-6 therapy sessions into one day, eliminating the need for pauses between sessions. The program is entirely customizable, and at the end, the client receives a personalized healing guidebook. This comprehensive guide outlines everything discussed throughout the day, including coping skills learned, additional resources, and referrals if necessary. We also provide a 1-hour follow-up 4-6 weeks later to ensure the client's continued well-being and address any remaining issues.
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