Cortiva Institute

Lauren Abele, LMT

Lauren graduated from the Wellness Massage Training Institute in Woodridge, IL in 2003 and has been an instructor with WMTI since 2005. Lauren became a Cortiva faculty member at our Woodridge location in 2009. She has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as well as a Certification in Orthopedic Massage. Her B.A. in Human Resource Management is from the University of Colorado. She has been in private practice since 2003 with specialty areas in Orthopedics, Geriatric, and Seated Chair Massage.

Jean Beckley¸ LMT

Jean is a 2007 graduate of Cortiva Institute - Chicago and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). She has additional certifications in pregnancy massage¸ lymphatic drainage¸ Thai massage and massage cupping. Besides teaching¸ she maintains a private practice and works at a wellness center. She received her B.S. in Mass Communications and Public Relations from Illinois State University¸ and her master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Loyola University¸ Chicago.

Bobbe Bermann¸ LMT

Bobbe has taught at Cortiva since 1987. She is a 1986 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). She has advanced training in deep tissue sculpting¸ sports massage¸ St. John method of neuromuscular therapy¸ infant massage¸ Maniken anatomy systems and Gyrotonic.

Bobbe has been in private practice for over 20 years and also has a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She volunteers for the American Massage Therapy Association - Illinois chapter as well as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She is proud of her role at the school as its Education Director.

Earl Conner, LMT

Earl is a 1987 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). A long time faculty member, Earl has been teaching workshops in neuromuscular and myofascial therapy throughout the U.S. since 1991. He has advanced training in St. John neuromuscular therapy, myofascial therapy and sports massage. He specializes in massage for relief of chronic pain and postural/fascial distortion.

Maria Durbin Cooper, LMT

Maria graduated from Cortiva Institute - Chicago in 1995, and has been an instructor with the school since 1996. Certified in myofascial and craniosacral therapies, she maintains a clinical massage practice at a chiropractic clinic. She presents massage therapy at the annual National Youth Leadership Forum and volunteers for the American Massage Therapy Association - Illinois chapter.

Tamara Gold, LMT

Tamara Gold graduated from Cortiva Institute - Chicago in 1989 and maintains a private practice. She specializes in peak performance for athletes, chronic pain conditions, orthopedic massage and infertility. Additional certifications include yoga, Plyo-metric conditioning coach, kick boxing, Qi-Gong and holistic nutrition. She has 25 years of experience both in coordinating fitness training for athletes and operating fitness facilities. Tamaras passion and success along with her experience greatly enrich her teachings.

Kristin Hovious, LMT

Kristin graduated from the Muscular Therapy Institute in 2004 and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). She is a registered yoga teacher, Watsu therapist and certified personal trainer as well. Kristin has served on the faculty of Cortiva Institute - Chicago since 2006, and served as Education Director from May 2007 to March of 2008. She has been accepted to UIC's Master of Science Program for Motor Control and Learning.

Wayne Hussey, LMT

Wayne is a 2000 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). He has also earned a B.S. in Kinesiology and Psychology from the University of Ontario, Canada. Wayne has experience as a personal trainer, physical therapy technician and exercise physiologist in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation

Bob King, LMT

Bob King is a co-founder and past president of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy. He now teaches continuing education for Cortiva Institute - Chicago and works in the school's professional clinic. Bob is a nationally recognized teacher, leader and activist in the field of massage therapy, with 35 years of professional experience. He is a frequent presenter at national conferences and brings a dedicated and compassionate commitment to massage therapy and the Cortiva community.

Faith Leyson, LMT

Faith is a 1997 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate with advanced certification in myofascial therapy. Faith has extensive experience as both practitioner and manager in Chicago area spa settings. She also maintains her clinical practice in a chiropractic office.

Connie Love, LMT

Connie is a 1996 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). She holds a B.S. in Physical Education and Health Sciences from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. Connie has extensive training in neuromuscular therapy, sports medicine, myofascial, clinical sports & pain management and muscle energy techniques.

John Magruder, LMT

John is a 1999 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). He has advanced training in injury assessment and treatment from the Benjamin Institute of Advanced Studies. John was a member of the Winter Sports Massage Team at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002, and received a Humanitarian of the Year Award for his volunteer work in 2000 from the American Massage Therapy Association - Illinois Chapter.

Mark McNeill, LMT

Mark is a 1994 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). He has advanced training in clinical work, sports massage, myofascial massage therapy and works with Northwestern University's Athletic Training Department. Mark has a BA in Speech, Theater and Dance from Glassboro State College in New Jersey.

Linda Miller

Linda is a 1986 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate maintaining a private practice.

She is a member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. She has been teaching massage, Reiki and Channeling since 1996 and joined the Cortiva faculty in Woodridge in 2009. Linda is also a Trance Channel and a Reiki Master/Teacher. She has continuing education in Reiki, Channeling, Pranic Healing, Cranial Sacral and Polarity.

Carol Porter, LMT

Carol, a 1993 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate, has been working in the spa and health club industry for 15 years. She is certified in hot stone massage and Ashiatsu. Carol holds a BA in Psychology from DePaul University.

Frances Salvato, LMT

Frances is 1994 graduate of Cortiva Institute - Chicago and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). She is a former Director of Education for Cortiva Institute - Chicago and has a B.S. in Speech from Northwestern University.. Frances has advanced training in structural integration, myofascial therapy, craniosacral therapy, sports massage, pregnancy massage, infant massage, and healing touch. She was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from AMTAIL for outstanding performance as a massage educator. Frances maintains a private practice in the Chicago area.

Holly Tomal, LMT

Holly is a 1993 graduate of Cortiva Institute - Chicago. Holly maintains a private practice in the McHenry area with elite runners. She joined the Cortiva family as an instructor in 2007.

Patricia Vater, LMT

Patricia is a 2002 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate and has a B.S. from Valparaiso University in Nursing. She has specialized in training in aquatic education, myofascial release and deep tissue sculpting.

Terri Visovatti, LMT

Terri is a 1996 Cortiva Institute - Chicago graduate and has been an instructor since 2005. She has advanced training in myofascial therapy, sports massage, pregnancy massage, Reiki, and personal training. Terri also became a Certified Kinesio Tape Practitioner in 2007 and she has a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Terri has maintained a private massage therapy practice since 1996.

Gail Willert, LMT

Gail is a 1989 graduate of the Cortiva Institute - Chicago and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB). She has been a Cortiva instructor since graduating from the program. She teaches continuing education classes and maintains a private practice. Gail's advanced training includes manual lymphatic drainage, myofascial therapy and neuromuscular therapy. She has BFA in Design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Cindy Zinn, LMT

Cindy is a 1990 graduate of Cortiva Institute-Chicago and has National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB). She has additional certification in pregnancy massage, myofascial therapy, lymphatic drainage, and hot stone massage. She also holds a B.A. in Psychology from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. In addition to teaching, Cindy maintains a private practice in Chicago.