Advance Your Practice with Manual Lymphatic Drainage Training

Learn the original Dr. Vodder method in small, in-person classes designed for massage therapists, estheticians, and all wellness & bodywork professionals.

Learn today.           
Create Wellness tomorrow. ™

Hands-on MLD classes with real-time feedback in Concord, CA.

Move From Theory to Application



Our classes help you build the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on technique to bring MLD into your practice for clients dealing with swelling, edema, post-surgical recovery, trauma, chronic pain, muscle strains and sprains, and more.

The Online Theory Course for your chosen training path must be completed before attending the hands-on class.

Overwhelmingly Positive Experiences

"Working with Gay Lee is an absolute treat. She is warm, engaging, supportive and patient with highly technical and challenging techniques. She gives great and actionable feedback and she really knows the full scope of theory that informs the hands-on work. My favorite educator!"
L.R.
"The Online Theory Course was great. I loved the ability to pause and repeat any section of the Course. The Workbook is so comprehensive. It will be a lifetime resource."
L.P.
"I am so grateful to be in the classroom with Gay Lee. Her knowledge is endless and she keeps everyone engaged. I'm never bored, its an interactive experience, which makes the information easier to retain."The multiple different categories and options for learning new skills, refreshing old ones or trying different challenges, and the student project resources are superb.
S.S.

Our Courses

Lymphedema Wellness Manual & Patient Handbook

A comprehensive two-book reference for therapists and patients, written by Gay Lee Gulbrandson, CLT-LANA.

The set includes a 40-page Patient Handbook and the revised 340-page Lymphedema Wellness Manual.

What's Inside:
  • Combined Decongestive Therapy and other treatment guides

  • Garment indications, care instructions, vendor links, and compression ratings

  • Correct MLD pressure, techniques, and treatment considerations

  • Treatment efficacy ratings

  • Private practice forms with completed samples and reusable templates

  • Six MLD Quick Reference Cards, plus access to download the remaining cards

  • Additional clinical resources for therapists and patients

Frequently asked questions

What is MLD?

Manual Lymph Drainage is a gentle treatment that stimulates fluid movement in the tissues by increasing the function of the lymph vessel system. When the lymph pathways become congested due to illness, injury, or surgery, waste products build up in the tissues and may lead to swelling or other cell pathology. MLD cleanses the tissue and initializes a strengthened immune response.

Will I get CEU's

All hands-on classes and online/home study courses are currently approved by the NCBTMB for CEU's, with the exception of the 2025 half-day Review Class that we are hoping to turn into a full day that includes an MLD Certificate of Competency! Stay tuned or contact us to be kept informed of these developments!

Will I get a certificate?

Certificates of Achievement are available for download in your user account after completing the exam for the Online Course and MLD Reference Card Exam. Hands-on class attendees receive a physical "Certificate of Completion" on the final day of class, ONLY IF they have passed the Online Science & Theory Course Exam. Our world class certification of MLD competency is under development at this time. Click here to be kept up to date!

We love saying hello!

Let us know how we can assist you .

Mailing address: 1791 Solano Ave., Ste A8, Berkeley, CA 94707
email: support@schoolofmld.com
About Your Instructor
Gay Lee Gulbrandson, CLT-LANA, NCTMB, AMTA, NLN, is a Dr. Vodder-certified MLD therapist, former Dr. Vodder School instructor, LANA-certified lymphedema therapist, and NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider who now leads the School of MLD™. Since 2002, she has taught healthcare professionals to use MLD and Combined Decongestive Therapy to address swelling-related conditions and support pre- and post-surgical patients.
Created with