The Story of Barbara E. Close
Founder and President

Barbara Close is a recognized authority in alternative treatments and healing therapies. She founded the Naturopathica Holistic Health Spa and premium botanical skincare line in 1995, determined to open a center and create a line dedicated to educating clients about the benefits of a holistic lifestyle.

She has been a practicing herbalist and massage therapist for over 20 years, developing Naturopathica's signature Bodywork Technique™. This superior training is internationally recognized and sought after for its advanced and dynamic application. Barbara is schooled in several modalities of holistic health including meditation, hydrotherapy and herbal medicine. She is a graduate of the New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts, which she attended following her graduation from Williams College.

Barbara has drawn much of her inspiration from her travels to the healing centers of Europe, Asia and the Americas, all locales where she has studied and practiced healing arts. In Germany, at the famous Baden health spa, to master air, steam and hydrotherapy treatments; in Wiesbaden at the Kneipp Center, to understand the use of herbal hydrotherapy treatments to promote healing; in France, to study the healing properties of seaweed in the Normandy region and in England, to practice therapeutic aromatherapy where it has been utilized and respected for centuries. Finally, her travels continued on to Southeast Asia, in Thailand, to learn about the ancient art of Thai massage and herbalism.

An acknowledged leader in the industry, she has consulted on major spa, health and fitness projects for several elite hospitality companies and prestige spa destinations. She also regularly lectures on natural health treatments and products. Her candor, advice and expertise are highly regarded and frequently sought by the media as well as by corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Limited Brands and Omnimedia.

Barbara is the author of three books, "Aromatherapy – The A to Z Guide to Healing with Essential Oils" and "Well Being - Rejuvenating Recipes for Body and Soul", and "Pure Skin, Organic Beauty Basics". Additionally, Barbara has written the Spa Deck, a sumptuously illustrated recipe card box for creating spa treatments at home.

Barbara in a member of the International Spa Association (ISPA), the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA).