With a new name and a bigger focus on holistic care, Jessica Cavaco wants to make the Mattapoisett Wellness Center Mindful Medicine a hub for those seeking physical, mental and spiritual health.

Formerly Life in Balance, Cavaco took over the business from Jolene Marinone in November, after practicing her massage therapy business, Body in Balance, there for four years.

The Acushnet resident originally began practicing 11 years ago and was inspired to help others after an experience she had as a child.

While a patient at Boston Children’s Hospital, “I had a woman who would come into my treatment room and tap on my chest and on my back. I felt so comforted by her,” said Cavaco. “Out of high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I thought about that moment at eleven years old.”

She explored several options and discovered massage therapy.

“As a child in the hospital, I felt very vulnerable, and knowing that compassionate touch was pretty profound for me at a difficult time,” said Cavaco. “I said, ‘I want to do that for people.’”

Since studying massage therapy, Cavaco has worked in several spas and alongside a chiropractor. When an office opened up at Life in Balance, she jumped at the chance to start her own business there.

From the outset she told the owner that she wanted to have a wellness business one day.

When Marione decided to step away from Life in Balance, “It was something that just fell in my lap,” said Cavaco. “It was meant to be, whether the stars aligned or what have you.”

Now at the helm and with a new name, Cavaco is making a few changes, particularly shifting from two yoga studios to one to make room for four additional office spaces. She hopes to add practitioners who specialize in nutrition, acupuncture and psychotherapy – “something that would encompass the whole mind and body and spirit.”

Cavaco will continue to run her massage therapy practice, which includes therapeutic, deep tissue and pregnancy massage. Anchor Yoga, which utilizes the remaining studio will offer classes under the direction of Jessica Webb.

Other practitioners in the space, who all offer multiple holistic services, include Justin Perreault, who offers traditional Chinese medicine and massage as well as alternative therapies. Reflexologist Lori Howes, physical therapist Kim Meyer-Pelletier and reiki practitioner Jennifer Risio round out the current team.

These services are designed to help prevent injury, help with recovery, maintain good health and manage stress, which Cavaco said is a top reason people seek medical help.

“I find the body in its own intelligent way gravitates towards holistic therapies,” Cavaco said. “We all know pharmaceutical medicine does hold a place in health, but there are a lot of side effects that relate to medicine.”

With the Wellness Center, she hopes to educate clients on best practices for their mind, body and spirit. To that end, she plans to hold workshops that will benefit the community such as ways to view food as medicine or a discussion on addiction.

Cavaco said she is learning to be patient as these aspects of her business come together, but it helps to know that the other members of the Wellness Center share her mission.

“It just really moves me that I’ve found these core people to make this happen,” she said.  “I’m only one person, but a team together can really make a movement.”

The Wellness Center, located at 76 County Road (Route 6) is hosting an open house on Sunday, Jan. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. where the practitioners will have 15-minute demonstrations. There will also be a raffle to raise funds for the Mattapoisett-based nonprofit Healing Little Hearts.

Additionally, practitioners will offer mini sessions on Feb. 7 from noon to 3 p.m.

More information about the center can be found at Mattapoisettwellness.com.