Denise Nichols is an Occupational Therapist, pelvic floor therapist and owner of Motivate Therapy. Motivate Therapy is an outpatient rehab clinic that specializes in whole-body health approaches to pelvic health and chronic illness. She is board certified in biofeedback for pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and is also certified as an Integrative yoga therapy, and massage therapist. Her philosophy is “you can’t change anything that you are not aware of” so education is the key to change. She is committed to empowering others through education, natural pain management and self-care treatment strategies. She recently authored “Your Selfcare Matrix,” a book highlighting the top 10 principles that she has found, over her 20+ years, are most important to adapt in order to maintain an independent selfcare program to fit ones ever-changing health and wellness needs.

Her main experience has been in outpatient orthopedic settings with a specialization in holistic approaches to health and healing. She is board certified in biofeedback for pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. She is also certified as an Integrative Yoga Therapy and Massage Therapist.

Denise has been committed to educating the community. She has taught Yoga, Massage Therapy for Couples, osteoporosis education and exercise classes, pathology and body mechanics for massage therapy students, and stress management classes for local company wellness programs . She developed an isometric postural re-education class titled the Dynamic Alignment Technique and presented it at the Illinois Occupational Therapy Convention.

Denise believes in a whole health approach that is team oriented and empowers her patients to seek what works best for them.

Elyssa recently earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies in Los, Angeles, CA. Her past clinical experience includes providing occupation-based mental health services for homeless women in LA’s downtown skid row and outpatient hand therapy and lymphedema treatment in rural New Mexico.

She completed her Final Doctoral Capstone Project on Pelvic Health Rehabilitation with the Motivate Therapy team! Elyssa loves working at Motivate because of the strong Interprofessional collaboration of health care providers and the holistic, client-centered care provided to patients. She enjoys pelvic floor therapy because she is passionate to help those with vulnerable conditions live their life to the fullest!

Although originally from Chicago, IL, Elyssa currently lives in Roscoe, IL and uses her free time to hike, fish, paint, have board/card game nights, and spend time with family and friends. She also enjoys traveling the country, discovering new restaurants, and camping at national parks!

Tara received her undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Services at NIU and went on to get her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

She enjoys being a pelvic floor therapist because of the challenge it provides, and the relationships created with her patients.

Tara lives with her husband in the Byron area, and when not working on her fixer upper, enjoys cuddling with her fur-babies and watching movies.

Priyanka grew up in India. She earned her bachelors and master’s degree in Physical Therapy in India itself. She started her career working in a hospital treating patients with Neurological and post-operative fracture conditions. She moved to USA with her husband in 2014.

Pelvic floor therapy is her primary area of interest for work. When she is not at Motivate, she likes to get involved canvas painting, photography, and cooking. She is a traveler and loves to explore new places.

Shana graduated from Elgin Community College in 2002 with an Associates in Applied Science degree in Physical Therapy Assisting.

Shana has had the privilege of providing patient care for the past 18 years. She is passionate about pelvic floor therapy and truly values the relationships she develops with her patients.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their three children.

Donna is a very motivated certified Personal Trainer and Pfilates instructor.

She has been working in the physical therapy field as a Rehabilitation Technician for more than 20 years teaching postural re-education exercise, individualized exercise programs and wellness classes.

She has worked under number Physical and Occupational Therapists.  She has been trained in and certified in 3 different levels of the Pheu-back Program, a postural correction system aimed at re-training the muscular system.

Donna is trained on the swiss ball for therapeutic exercise and worked with vibrations therapy for neuromuscular re-education training.  She wears many hats at Motivate and is a valued team player.

She enjoys working with people helping them to improve the physical ability for everyday function.  Donna is married and lives in Rockford and is a proud mother of two children and a grandmother of three beautiful grandchildren.

Born in Rockford, IL, raised in Loves Park, she has spent the majority of her career dedicated to small businesses surrounding her hometown community of Roscoe, IL.  In her spare time, Rinelle spends as much time as possible outdoors; up early to watch the sunrise as well as sunset walks in the evening. She and her husband keep up with 2 sons, 1 daughter & 3 grandkids, outdoors as much as possible, including water sports and lots and lots of soccer!

Zoe graduated from University of California Santa Cruz with a degree in Environmental Studies.

In addition to her experience in regenerative farming, environmental education, and food access programs, Zoe was a high level gymnast and coached gymnastics for nearly 15 years. As a Certified Nursing Assistant in hospital, long-term care, and acute rehab settings, Zoe became interested in occupational therapy and passionate about its ability to improve people’s daily lives.

When not working or volunteering she enjoys hiking, backpacking, gardening, and any activity outside.