Cecilia Barberis 'The Portal' Massage Therapy & Doula Support

Cecilia Barberis 'The Portal' Massage Therapy & Doula Support Massage therapy and Doula support services. I want to share my passions, knowledge and insights about massage, pregnancy and birth to the community.

I combine my knowledge and sensitivity in a wholesome and nourishing therapeutic massage treatment. I believe massage is an ancient healing form. It has an extraordinary way to heal the physical body, calm the mind and transcend spiritually into other dimensions. I completed the Diploma of Remedial Massage Therapy at The Melbourne Institute of Massage Therapy (MIMT) in 2010. In 2012 I studied Zen Shiatsu at the Australian Shiatsu school in Melbourne and fell in love with Chinese medicine. Studying Shiatsu was a wonderful experience that led me to introduced eastern principles and philosophies into my treatments. In 2012, I have started my specialization in Pre and Postnatal care and High-risk pregnancy with Suzanne Yates who comes to Australia from the UK every couple of years especially to teach these courses. In 2014 I did the "Advanced Massage for Pregnancy" & in 2018 I have done it all again as part of a refresher course series towards my professional continuing education. In 2012 I also became a Certified Infant & Pediatric Massage Instructor through the IMIS at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. My ongoing passion and deep connection to birth lead me to do the Doula course (or Birth Attendant) with the wonderful and birth advocate Rhea Dempsey . Supporting people to birth respectfully and find their ‘voice’ through their pregnancy & birth is a strong call that I have been carrying for many years. In November 2016, I did a Master Class in Traditional East-West Cupping with Bruce Bentley which I really enjoyed and it broadened my knowledge of this very old healing art. In my pregnancy massage treatments I also incorporate ‘Spinning babies’ techniques (course done in sep 2017) & OMP - optimal maternal positioning- (course done in nov 2019) which consists of exercises, positions, stretches & MFR techniques for pelvic alignment, pelvic mobility & cardinal movements to enable labour to process. In 2017 I had the honor to become part of Birth for HumanKind volunteer Doula. I was part of a pilot program of ‘Bicultural Doulas’. This Doula course taught by Jane Fontain (Canada) from DONA international (Doulas of North America) was incredibly enriching. I’ve expanded my knowledge on how to best support people through their pregnancy & childbirth by sharing it with my fellow ‘bicultural doulas’ from Africa, the Middle East & Papua New Guinea. This inspiring non for profit organisation team of people, work very hard to offer maternity health support for people struggling in society {https://birthforhumankind.org/}
Social activism and Human Rights involvement it’s a flare that never ceases inside me.Please head to my website to learn more about me and my massage and doula offerings www.the-portal.com.au.

07/01/2026

BAM. GO US!
We've crossed the veil of time and space 🌚🐍🌙 🐴🌕

2025 was a wholesome year.

I started with the uncertainty of how including a TAFE course was going to pan out: will I be forgotten? will I side track too much?

Well, let me tell you. I did not 📣

I've been booked out for 2 months ahead and having lots of people on a wait list.

I've attended 2 beautiful births which keeps deepening my call to support people during pregnancy & birth. As I'm writing this, I'm on call for another birth, this time around a returned doula client. Just divine 💫

As a space holder of enormous amount of energy in the realm of birth and bodywork, I bow to the humbleness of finding myself in this container where I got to learn the people of -so call- australia inside out, embracing the opportunity to meet them in this place of vulnerability and transformation.

My revelation this year was: how would my relationship with its people and it's land be without this type of connectivity? 🦗🦗🦗 and more 🦗🦗🦗

You know that life is HARD. hard. hard. hard.

So when I talk about Truth, I mean it in every way possible. The one that almost broke me a few years ago and have been rebuilding it ever since even more intentionally.

This is not a shortcut of a lifestyle, it's showing up in my authenticity. I dedicate my life to this healing art form. And so, I don't take it lightly.

2026: Keep on showing up in my authenticity.

One of my dreams is to be able to offer my healing skills to first nations peoples. To offer my pledge of gratitude and reverence to them and the sacredness of their land.

I shall continue walking on this Earth, on the path where being Truth to Oneself is the guiding light.

The rest unfolds as it's meant to. As always.

Got me this T from supporting of all public towers in Victoria. SHAME!Also in memory of my dear client who lived in...
10/12/2025

Got me this T from supporting of all public towers in Victoria. SHAME!

Also in memory of my dear client who lived in the Northcote towers and whom I been supporting with my massage skills for some years.

The thought of this reality is tormenting to say the least.

A heartfelt thanks to this wonderful human and masseur Heidi George!!!We’ve spent another wholesome year supporting the ...
26/11/2025

A heartfelt thanks to this wonderful human and masseur Heidi George!!!

We’ve spent another wholesome year supporting the excellent residents of a.k.a Rushall Park & Leigh Park.

In 2023 when the Home Care Package (HCP) scheme kicked off -now called Support at Home (SAH) program- I had a sudden influx of residents seeking

True to my path of & , I went to look for a masseur to take -what it is now- an extra 4 full days of massage.

I adore the residents of this village soooo much who they happily keep me there every Friday!

I’m proud to their ongoing commitment in turning up to their massage session, age raging from 77 -95 yo 👐🏻

01/10/2025
Sitting down and talking about the unfolds of the birth, fleshing the process , the journey, what worked, when that ‘c...
02/09/2025



Sitting down and talking about the unfolds of the birth, fleshing the process , the journey, what worked, when that ‘click’ happened… integrating through the power of storytelling and sharing experiences. It lits me. Gives me purpose.

Today, we were talking about how all happens and unfolds when embracing the exact and precise way all is meant to be unfolding. When the challenges are faced and there’s no way back. You’re in it.

There’s an exceptional evolutionary piece in this life’s puzzle where birth is the catalyst for that to happened.

I regain hope in humanity witnessing such event.

Today was one of those days.

With cake, horchata and flowers from my garden ❤️

this time around I’ve added rosemary… 6 weeks later, it’ll be ready for consumption.
23/08/2025

this time around I’ve added rosemary… 6 weeks later, it’ll be ready for consumption.

To me, nothing beats a friday night witnessing the incredible power of birth.Tiny sibling running around, happy and cont...
22/08/2025

To me, nothing beats a friday night witnessing the incredible power of birth.

Tiny sibling running around, happy and content while her mum was having her redemption birth.

It’s always the greatest honour to be invited into this sacred space.

Specially these days when this right is taken away from so many.

Putting this here in case any of your wonderful ones would like to come down 🍉🍉🍉https://www.gofundme.com/f/dr-mos-missio...
11/08/2025

Putting this here in case any of your wonderful ones would like to come down 🍉🍉🍉

https://www.gofundme.com/f/dr-mos-mission-healing-gazas-children

Hola amigues!

This is a kalén & I initiate but we’d love to turn it communal. Come join us with your bake goods (or not), your instruments or your bear precense is absolutely enough. Tell your friends to come over 🗣️

All funds procedes to Dr Mo mission in Gaza ⤵️

https://www.gofundme.com/f/dr-mos-mission-healing-gazas-children

🖤❤️💚 ❤️💛🖤

Turning rage and despair into a practical action 🫂 📣

‘Let your heart break so your spirit doesn’t’. Andrea Gibson.

Ceci & Kalén

So powerful witnessing part of history today ❤️💛🖤
18/06/2025

So powerful witnessing part of history today ❤️💛🖤

Kalén kept saying ‘smile more mamá’… so there it is… I did my best… It wasn’t going to be a long weekend for me (nor I ...
09/06/2025



Kalén kept saying ‘smile more mamá’… so there it is… I did my best…

It wasn’t going to be a long weekend for me (nor I believe it’s ok to do so on stolen lands) but after kalén falling sick, it got to me too.

We’re on the mends now but a part of having to deal with the anx of canceling 2 full days of massage work, we couldn’t joined on the … This was deeply disappointing!

* I’m planning to walk with kalén on the 18th of June as they all arrive to Parliament - follow or Travis himself for updates - This is about First Nations treaty!

A highlight? Seeing the creek FULL of water… it’s been a long while 🙏🏼

Back to tafe tomorrow and to my and to my

Here hoping for you all to be safe, loved and healthy-

See you in the cave (my favourite time to be in it)

Ceci

09/06/2025

Address

Arbor Avenue
Coburg, VIC
3073

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4:30am
Tuesday 10am - 3:30pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5am

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cecilia Barberis 'The Portal' Massage Therapy & Doula Support posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Cecilia Barberis 'The Portal' Massage Therapy & Doula Support:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

Our Story

I combine my knowledge and sensitivity in a wholesome and nourishing therapeutic massage treatment. I believe massage is an ancient healing form. It has an extraordinary way to heal the physical body, calm the mind and transcend spiritually into other dimensions.

I completed the Diploma of Remedial Massage Therapy at The Melbourne Institute of Massage Therapy (MIMT) in 2010. In 2012 I studied Zen Shiatsu at the Australian Shiatsu school in Melbourne and fell in love with Chinese medicine. Studying Shiatsu was a wonderful experience that led me to introduced eastern principles and philosophies into my treatments.

In 2012, I have started my specialisation in Pre and Postnatal care and High-risk pregnancies with Suzanne Yates who comes to Australia from the UK every couple of years especially to teach these courses. In 2014 I did the "Advanced Massage for Pregnancy" & in 2018 I have done it all again as part of a refresher course series towards my professional continuing education. In 2012 I also became a Certified Infant & Paediatric Massage Instructor through the IMIS at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.

My ongoing passion and deep connection to birth lead me to do the Doula course (or Birth Attendant) with the wonderful and birth advocate Rhea Dempsey . Supporting people to birth respectfully and find their ‘voice’ through their pregnancy & birth is a strong call that I have been carrying for many years.