Our dedicated faculty teach with the confidence and passion that comes from a well-developed expertise and a love for their work. As professional practitioners in their respective fields, Cortiva Institute - Seattle teachers bring a practical understanding of the subject matter; one that they delight to share with their students. They work closely with students, recognizing diverse learning styles and developing a supportive classroom environment for adults. Respect for each individual, reverence for the human body, enthusiasm for the healing potential of massage, and commitment to the learning process are hallmarks of the Cortiva Institute - Seattle approach.

• Patricia Archer, LMP, MS, ATC
• Bethany Crouse, LMP
• De'Anna Dean, LMP
• Leanne Dowd, LMP
• Laurie Fronek, LMP
• Michael Hamm, LMP
• Michael Jacobus, LMP, CTP
• Chris Kagen, LMP
• Benjamin Lee, LMP  
• Amy Mueller, LMP
• Jon Okami, LMP
• Dawn Schmidt, LMP
• Joe Smelser, LMP
• Pamela Smith, LMP, LAMP, SAMP
• Matthew Sorlie, LMP
• John Stickel, LMP
• Jonathan Vogel, LMP

Patricia Archer, LMP

• Diploma, Olympic School of Natural Therapeutics, 1985
• MS, Physical Education/Exercise Physiology, Arizona State University, 1976
• Certified Athletic Trainer, 1977
• Member of AMTA, WSMT and NATA
• Sports Massage Therapist for Seattle Supersonics, 1994-2001, and the Seattle Storm, 2000-2003
• Athletic Trainer and Massage Therapist, 1996 Olympic Games
• Director of Massage Services, 1997 USA Track and Field National Championships
• Director of Education and Instructor at the Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle, 1986-1997. Instructor, Curriculum Advisor, and Program Director for the Therapeutic Massage for Athletics Program 1997 to present
• Sports Massage Therapist for University of Washington men's and women's swimming 2000-2006
• Past chairperson for the AMTA Sports Massage Education Council and Special Committee for Evaluation of the National Sports Massage Team
• Author of Massage for Sports Health Care, (Human Kinetics, 1999), "Three Clinical Sports Massage Techniques for Treating Injured Athletes" May 2001 Athletic Therapy Today and Therapeutic Massage In Athletics (Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2006)
• Presenter on sports health care topics at numerous state, regional and national meetings including the NATA National Clinical Symposium in 1997 and 2005, WAMTA state convention in 1998, 2002, and 2006, AMTA National Convention in 1999, NWATA Annual Meeting most recently in 2003 and 2004

Bethany Crouse, LMP

• Certificate, Professional Licensing Program, Brenneke School of Massage, 2001
• Certification in Pre and Post Natal Massage through Kate Jordan Seminars 
• BA, Russian / Women's Studies, University of Washington, 1996
• Member of ABMP
• Maintains a private practice in South Lake Union, Seattle

De'Anna Dean, LMP

• Certificate of Completion, Brian Utting School of Massage, 2004
• BS, Nutrition, Auburn University, 1999
• Member of AMTA and NCBTMB
• Certified in Pre and Perinatal Massage
• Maintains a private practice in Bothell, WA, and is an employee at a deep tissue and injury treatment clinic in Bellevue, WA

Leanne Dowd, LMP

• Certificate of Completion, Brian Utting School of Massage, 1993
• BA, Comparative Literature, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1987
• Member of AMTA
• Maintains a private practice in Seattle

Laurie Fronek, LMP

• Certificate of Completion, Brian Utting School of Massage, 2002
• BA, Art History, Smith College, 1992
• Health Writer & Editor Since 1993
• Member of AMTA and NCBTMB
• Maintains a private practice in Pioneer Square, Seattle

Michael Hamm, LMP

• Certificate of Completion, Brian Utting School of Massage, 2005
• Contributor to The Massage Therapy Journal and The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
• Winner of the 2005 Massage Therapy Foundation's Student Case Report Contest
• Committee member and volunteer for the Massage Therapy Foundation
• Member of AMTA
• Maintains a private practice in Wallingford, Seattle

Michael Jacobus, LMP, CTP

• Certificate of Completion, Stillpoint Center School of Massage, 1996
• Certified Trager® Practitioner, 2005
• BA Communications, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1992
• Continued student of Hatha Yoga
• Member of ABMP and U.S. Trager® Association
• Maintains a private practice in South Lake Union, Seattle

Chris Kagen, LMP

• Certificate of Completion, Brian Utting School of Massage, 2000
• BS, English, Pomona College, 1983
• AMTA member, NCBTMB-certified
• Maintains a private practice in Kirkland, WA

Benjamin Lee, LMP

• Certificate of Completion, Brian Utting School of Massage, 2005
• Advanced Certification Training in Reflexology
• BM, Classical Guitar Performance, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1999
• Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
• Member of AMTA and NCBTMB
• Maintains a private practice in Capitol Hill, Seattle  

Amy Mueller, LMP

• Certificate, Expanded Professional Licensing Program, Brenneke School of Massage, 2003
• BA, English Literature and Women's Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2000
• Certified Pre and Post Natal Massage Therapist, Kate Jordan Seminars, 2003
• AMTA Member, NCTMB
• Maintains a private practice and is an employee at a spa in Seattle

Jon Okami, LMP

• Certificate, Professional Licensing Program, Brenneke School of Massage, 1999
• Certified Myofascial Release Therapist, 1999
• Member of Washington State Sports Massage Team, 1997-99
• Member of NCBTMB and AMTA
• Maintains a private practice in Seattle

Dawn M. Schmidt, LMP

• Certificate, Seattle Massage School, 1990
• BS, Professional Teaching Credential, California State University - Fullerton, 1980
• Adjunct Faculty Member, Bastyr University
• Site Team Member for COMTA
• COMTA Commissioner, 2000-2006
• Member of AMTA
• Maintains a private practice in Seattle

Joe Smelser, LMP

• Certificate of Completion, Brian Utting School of Massage, 2004
• B.A., Theater and Biology, Oberlin College, 1991
• Member of AMTA, NCBTMB, and AMTA-WA Sports Massage Team
• Maintains a private practice in Seattle

Pam Smith, LMP

• Certificate, Expanded Professional Licensing Program, Brenneke School of Massage, 1999
• Large and Small Animal Massage Practitioner, Brenneke School of Massage, 2002
• AMTA and ABMP Member
• Maintains a private practice for sport horses and their riders
• Owner: Horse Medicine Equine Massage Education

Matthew Sorlie, LMP

• Certificate of Completion, Brian Utting School of Massage, 1998
• BA, American Studies and Education, Hampshire College, 1994
• Member ABMP
• Certified Craniosacral Therapy Practitioner
• Maintains a private practice in Seattle

John Stickel, LMP

• Certificate, Professional Licensing Program, Brenneke School of Massage, 1999
• Certified Sports Massage Specialist, Brenneke School of Massage, 2000
• BS, Business Administration/Finance, California State University, Long Beach, 1984
• Certified Personal Trainer [NSCA-CPT], National Strength and Conditioning Association, 2007
• Member of AMTA, NSCA, and American College of Sports Medicine
• Maintains a private practice as Owner and Founder of Great Touch in Seattle
• Independent Instructor of NCBTMB Category A; Continuing Education for Massage Therapists

Jonathan Vogel, LMP

• Certificate of Completion, Brian Utting School of Massage, 1987
• BS, Zoology and Chemistry, University of Missouri, 1970
• Professional Dance Career for 10 years
• Certified Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapist
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
• Certified Traditional Thai Massage Therapist
• Practitioner of Breema bodywork
• Maintains a private practice in West Seattle