Hands & Heart Therapies is operated from a specially designed massage room below Sunrise Cottage Bed and Breakfast in Healesville. The founders are Anneke and Joel Schagen. 

Anneke's passion for people led her to become a professional counsellor. She gained a degree in Psychosocial Therapy in the Netherlands and through working with people and their emotions Anneke realised how traumatic experiences can become physical problems when they are not dealt with in a healthy way. This was the reason why she entered into a course to become a professional massage therapist. Having now achieved her Diploma in Remedial Massage Therapy she aims to combine both therapies or use them seperate, this will be the choice of her clients.

Joel became involved as he saw a need arise on the business side of the practice and entered a course in Small Business Management. He looks after the marketing and advertising.