I am so glad to have Barbra's healing hands back in my life. I went to her regularly before Covid and I enjoyed freedom of motion in my left shoulder for the first time in my adult life! Her "cottage" is very warm and welcoming; an abundance of flowers, a beautiful mural and a fully realized garden space if one prefers an outdoor experience. She is well versed in many methods of massage, her hands are something beyond lovely. Aromatherapy, beautiful music? As you like, of course! Obviously I highly recommend. We use mostly (I think) the Hendricksen method. She works through my clothes with a rolling technique that is wonderful. There is a fine place to change if you want, but this is what works for me. Sometimes I like the spa approach, most definitely, but right now I am mostly going so I don't get sore all the time and feel like a hunchback on my left side. read more

Barbra is wonderful. She will give you the massage you want because she listens to you (I know...what a concept). She can give a Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stones and is also practicing Myofascial Release and Cranial Sacral (really trippy). Visit the website and check out her prices. She is such a deal that I have started to go monthly as a treat; have 5 massages and the 6th is complimentary (Seriously!) read more

Barbara and her sweet little cottage were completely warm and inviting on a frosty morning last week. I woke up unable to move my neck & was in a lot of pain. Barbara was kind & empathic on the phone and scheduled to see me in just a couple hours. Music to my ears! She did an excellent job at addressing my neck issues and was just an all around sweet lady. Highly recommend. read more

Great massage, beautiful relaxing cottage. Good prices. Wonderful!!! read more

Barbra is really great. The place is cute and quaint and relaxing. She is very knowledgable about anatomy and energy flow. She knows Qigong. Her hands are very healing. She is nice to talk to and gives good homework. She basically has it all. read more

I found Barbra somewhat accidentally- I was renting a vacation home from one of the rental companies in Guerneville, and Barbra was one of only two massage therapists they recommended in the materials they hand out about the area. I'm one of those funny ducks who's had lots of bodywork/massage in her life (in part because I've had lots of injuries), but I frequently find massage an unpleasant experience. Unless the masseuse is extremely respectful, a lot of what they do hurts unbearably. Anyway, I've been struggling with chronic back/hip/leg/foot pain for over a year, and have tried a score of modalities that haven't worked. I was so excited to find Barbra. She listened carefully and caringly to my tale of woe, and proceeded to do very gentle work on me. At her request I remained clothed. She used a technique that involved gentle rocking. None of it hurt me. Best of all, after the massage I had a period of being pain-free.....it was wonderful. My vacation was almost over, but Barbra squeezed me in for another massage two days later- today- and again her skill and talent amazed me. I think she is one of those rare massage therapists who actually know the various techniques well enough that she is able to provide what each person needs, as opposed to being a one trick pony. I may have to make special trips up to see her- she is a real find. read more

She has magical hands that can cure anything!!! She listens, and helps you understand your body and how to help it!!!

Barbra is very intuitive and sensitive to energy. She discovers areas that need attention without prompting. She will also come to your home . I highly recommend her. read more

I had a wonderful massage by Barbra! She's kind, warm, and intuitive. I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. Such a perfect experience!

Barbra is an extremely skilled healer--from her deep understanding of anatomy and physiology to the nurturing power of her hands and demeanor, she offered an incredible treatment that worked on physical, intuitive, and energetic levels. I came in pain and left feeling restored, relaxed, and with much of that pain relieved. I can't recommend Barbra highly enough--and I am an extremely selective recipient of massage! Can't wait for my next vacation to Forestville so I can have another massage with her. read more

I'm always amazed by the work Barbra does. She's been trained in a number of modalities and seems to intuitively know what will work best. It's not a regular massage; it goes so much deeper and is transforming. I like trying to "tune in" and work with her to really release some of the deeper levels of what it is I'm holding in my body. The thing I love most about her is her loving kindness and curious, playful spirit. She seems to have a genuine love for all things living - whether it's plants or people - and it must be why she's able to grow beautiful plants around her cottage and give such wonderful healing energy to her clients. read more

I was given a massage as a gift and I chose Barbara because she has a good reputation around town. Deservedly, I now know. Nice ambiance, cozy room, easy to talk to, and a variety of techniques left me feeling relaxed and energized. My limbs move better. read more

I've had many massages and many different types of massage so when I discovered Barbara I was pleasantly surprised at her skill and ability to listen to your needs. She is patient and caring, and has an incredibly soothing presence. A real talent. I recently went in with some new back pain and she took her time to treat the tight muscle spots. The next day I was sore but the following day - no pain! Priceless. read more

Such an awesome place! The massage is relaxing, soothing. Barbra knows special and very gentle techniques to release the tension from tired shoulders and neck. I would love to go back! read more

Barbra has an incredible sense of what your body needs and the ability to change and tune her massage to meet those needs. GIve her a try. You'll keep coming back. read more

Oh, what a feeling--yesterday I had the best ever massage at Cottage Massage in Forestville! "Ever" as in the best of the many massages I have had in many different locales, and "ever" as in the best massage I've experienced by Barbra Friedman, the proprietor. That's what I like about Cottage Massage: Barbra is passionate about helping people with her work, and she constantly is learning more therapeutic ways to do just that. I originally arrived at Cottage Massage about a year after it opened and requested a feel-good Swedish massage. I got that, and it was excellent and reasonable. Little by little, as I returned for sessions there, Barbra suggested I might like her to work on some of the tight spots she was discovering. That's when I grew to appreciate her therapeutic skills. Not only did I leave with that wonderful, feel-good glow, but I could tell some of my muscles started doing their work with less strain. Yesterday was the ultimate, however: I've been limping around the last couple of months with frequent, acute pain in my left foot (the result of increasingly flatter feet?) and some really uncomfortable pain in my upper left leg (compensating muscles for the foot problem?). Having been out of the area, I hadn't had Barbra's "tender touch" since before the holidays. So, using a Christmas gift certificate from my daughter, I went in for a session, telling Barbra we probably should skip the sore foot today, and that I was starting a trial with orthotics prescribed by my podiatrist. She asked if she could gently examine my foot. She did, and then with my o.k., started ever so gently working on it and muscles in my leg affecting both areas in distress. The upshot? What a difference! I shall still wear the orthotics, but I had no pain as I slept and and none this morning, a first in a long time. I'll continue to wear my orthotics, but how good it feels to know that there is someone like Barbra to help along the way with the pain. Thanks, Barbra! Stephanie C., Guerneville, CA read more

So I know I have written a review about Barbra and Cottage Massage before but I really just can't help myself! I started seeing Barbra about a year ago and I was absolutely amazed at how much better she made me feel! I started getting extremely bad frequent migraines and horrible neck, shoulder and facial pain daily. I have a four year old daughter and I am a full time student and it was affecting everything in my life, I was getting really depressed and beginning to think there was something really wrong with me. I woke up one Saturday morning in severe pain and decided to give Barbra a call, she met me at the cottage an hour later and was willing to do anything she could to help me feel better. I walked out with no migraine, reduced pain and with a lot of hope! She is by far the most caring, gentle and conforming masseuse I've ever experienced. She respects your body, listens to your concerns and taylors a massage that's beneficial to you. Her energy is amazing and she genuinely cares about her clients. The cottage is peaceful and cozy, a wonderful place to just relax and let her work her magic. Barbra has been using the Hendrickson Method which combines both physical touch and energy healing to treat chronic pain as well as Craniosacral massage which addresses the central nervous system. I see Barbra regularly and I really can't explain how valuable her work is to my life. Amazing! read more