“We firmly believe that the therapist and the patient should decide the plan of care – not the insurance company. You shouldn’t have to go back to your activities without feeling ready. Nor should you have to wait for pain in order to seek knowledge on how to prevent it.
We give you back your control and provide you the care you deserve with treatment plans customized around YOU.”
Meet the Team
Denise Smith
Physical Therapist, Certified Manual Physical Therapist, Running Technique Specialist, Owner
Denise Smith
Denise Smith graduated from Marquette University in 2002 with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy and is a certified running technique specialist. Denise also travels the country as part of the Pose Method education team with a lecture series on injury prevention and treatment along with the running technique certification course.She is a recreational runner and triathlete who loves spending time with her two active children and husband. As a busy mom, Denise understands the importance of using your time wisely and opened Smith Physical Therapy + Running Academy to help her patients get better faster and to help athletes run smarter.
Denise has spent her years obtaining certifications that allow her to treat each patient as an individual with a focus on hands-on manual therapy techniques, functional movement patterns, return to sports testing, and advanced treatment of athletes of all levels. Read about Denise’s reasons for starting Smith Physical Therapy+ Running Academy in this article by The Northwest Herald.
Denise’s advanced training includes: Certified Manual Physical Therapist, Pose Certified Running Specialist, Pose Certified Sports Technique Specialist, Functional Movement Screen Specialist, Gary Gray 3DMAPS Specialist, Certified Graston Technique Specialist, Y-Balance Test Specialist, ACL Injury Prevention and Return to Sport Specialist.
Her love of community drives Denise to give back with time. She is a proud member of City Council for the City of Crystal Lake and serves on several boards, including Leadership Greater McHenry County and the Downtown Crystal Lake Association’s Org Committee. She volunteers for many charities and actively fundraises for local children’s charities by acting as a race director for The McHenry County Santa Run and Patriot Run, Crystal Lake Aquathon, and Crystal Lake Half Marathon.
Watch this video to learn more about Denise’s passion for physical therapy and why she loves helping patients move and feel their best.
Dana Tress
Physical Therapist, Certified Concussion Specialist, Ergonomic Specialist
Dana Tress
Dana Tress graduated Summa Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Bradley University in 1997 and joined Smith Physical Therapy in March of 2017. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership after joining the company. Dana is also an ambassador and leadership team member for VeDA (the Vestibular Disorder Association), and instructs courses in neurological rehabilitation and human lifespan development at McHenry County College.
While she enjoys working with all patients, Dana has focused more than half of her career on extensive continuing education and training to effectively treat individuals living with dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders, concussions, high fall risk, headaches and TMJ disorders.
Dana’s combination of manual skills, functional movement analysis, balance and vestibular techniques, fall prevention skills, and clinical instruction techniques allow her to personalize each treatment to every individual. Additionally, Dana is a Certified Concussion Specialist, Certified Clinical Instructor, Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, Gary Gray 3DMAPS Specialist, and Graston Technique® provider.
Watch this video to learn more about Dana’s passion for physical therapy and why she loves helping patients move and feel their best.
April Sliwka
Physical Therapist, Running Technique Specialist
April Sliwka
April found the field of physical therapy through multiple first-hand encounters, as she was involved in competitive gymnastics until the end of high school, and transitioned to pole vaulting in college. Her experience with many broken bones and orthopedic surgeries has given her the ability to empathize with her patients, and she has personally learned the power of exercising and rehabilitation.April graduated from Clarke University in Dubuque, IA with a bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2016, and again with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2018. Since then, she has spent her career working in the outpatient orthopedic field, treating a variety of post-operative and non-operative patients to help them return to their desired activity levels and improve their quality of life. April enjoys working with athletes and runners, as well as post-operative and general orthopedic conditions. She is a certified Pose Running Technique Specialist and has completed training in dry needling, Rock Tape, Rock Blades, and manual therapy.
When the weather is warm, April enjoys hiking local trails. She also takes aerial classes for fun and fitness. In the winter, she can be found at home crocheting stuffed animals, blankets, and hats. And when she gets the chance, she enjoys traveling to new places to relax, hike, or try new adventures.
Watch this video to learn more about April’s passion for physical therapy and why she loves helping patients move and feel their best.
Lauren Draeger
Physical Therapist
Lauren Draeger
Lauren graduated from University of Missouri in 2014 with a Bachelor of Health Science and went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2017. She is also certified in Dry Needling, and has taken many continuing education courses on manual therapy. She has focused her career in Sports Medicine and Orthopedic conditions, and enjoys helping patients return to prior fitness after surgeries or injuries. She has seen a wide variety of patients, including stunt doubles, rodeo stars, and D1 baseball players.Lauren has been involved in running and cheerleading throughout her life, including cheering for the Mizzou Tigers, and has been through physical therapy for various injuries. This has given her a greater appreciation for the patient experience. She enjoys seeing her patients return to the sports they love with no pain.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and children, Olivia and Liam. She recently moved back to Illinois after living in Fort Worth, Texas. She loves running, scuba diving, and traveling the world.
Jennifer Myatt
Physical Therapist Assistant
Jennifer Myatt
Jennifer joined the Smith team in 2023 after graduating from the Physical Therapy program at McHenry County College. She has also been a licensed esthetician since 2010 and loves working with people. Jennifer is driven and has passion for continuing to learn and honing her skills as a therapist.Jennifer’s passion for physical therapy continues to grow every day. While Jennifer enjoys working with all orthopedic conditions and injuries, her focus is on balance disorders, vertigo, and concussion rehabilitation. She believes in using guided movement and education to help people get back to feeling like themselves. She listens to her patients and is quick with a joke.
Outside of work, Jennifer loves to garden and hike. She enjoys playing games with her family and has 2 Catahoula Leopard Hound dogs. Jennifer is always up for going to a hockey game but hates the cold weather.
Watch this video to learn more about Jen’s passion for physical therapy and why she loves helping patients move and feel their best.
Kim Roseland
Patient Experience Coordinator
Kim Roseland
Kim joined Smith Physical Therapy + in June of 2022 as a Patient Experience Coordinator. She’s been a Patient of Denise’s for the past 12 years and is super excited to be part of the Smith family! Kim graduated from Valparaiso University in 1992 with a degree in Sociology.After spending many years being CEO of the Roseland Household and earning her PhD as a Child Activity Coordinator and a Masters in Patience Management, she decided to enter the world of Helping others’ outside her home. She’s worked for Weight Watchers, a naprapath and multiple chiropractors. Kim loves watching patients work towards being pain free.
Kim is a mom to Allison, Emily and Benjamin. In her free time, Kim loves spending time with her family and friends, crafting, traveling and working out (no running for her unless being chased by a bear)!
Sara Coleman
Patient Experience Coordinator
Sara Coleman
Sara joined Smith Physical Therapy+ in June 2025 and is one of the first smiling faces you’ll see when you walk through our doors. She brings patience, kindness, and a calm energy to the front desk, making sure every visit runs smoothly from start to finish.Outside of the clinic, Sara taps into her creative side as a writer and coordinating independent animation productions. When she’s not working on a new project, she might be enjoying impromptu karaoke sessions in the car.
Nicki Wright
Patient Experience Coordinator
Nicki Wright
Nicki brings warmth, energy, and a strong family-first mindset to Smith Physical Therapy+. As a proud mom of eight and grandma to four, she knows a thing or two about multitasking, patience, and keeping life moving forward.Outside the clinic, you’ll likely find Nicki supporting her kids at volleyball games or track meets. She has also run ultramarathons and now enjoys helping manage race events and cheering participants on from the sidelines. Balancing family life and endurance races clearly shows she knows how to go the distance.
Nicki loves being part of a team that helps people feel better, move better, and get back to doing what they love.
Christine Olsen
Content Supervisor
Christine Olsen
Christine joined the Smith Physical Therapy team as content strategist in May 2024. While earning her Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal and Public Communication at the University of Findlay, she pursued her dream in thoroughbred racing and continued to ride racehorses for a decade across the country.Her experience with physical therapy after recovering from a serious injury significantly shaped her career path to helping others in their path to recovery and wellness. From there she began working across a wide range of clinical environments. Her favorite thing is watching the process of patient care and success. As a storyteller and horse lover, she is an author and frequent contributor to multiple equestrian magazines and blogs.
Melissa Nickle
Public Relations Specialist
Melissa Nickle
Melissa graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Her expertise encompasses both corporate and non-profit work. She began her career at Edelman, a global public relations firm, where she helped develop, execute and manage a variety of national initiatives for KFC’s consumer brand. She also assisted in the internal and national launch of KFC’s Corporate Charity, giving her much desired experience in the community relations arena. Desiring a role more community based, Melissa transitioned to the not-for-profit sector where she assumed the role of Director of Public Relations for an Illinois-based organization focused on adolescent health education. In addition to serving as the spokesperson for the organization, she developed and managed all marketing and PR programs on a local, state and national level.Throughout Melissa’s early career, she worked in a limited capacity with Corporate Teams as an event facilitator, as her schedule would allow. As a result of her passion for the work she did with Corporate Teams, she decided to shift gears in 2009 and commit herself completely to Corporate Teams as the Regional Manager of the Midwest Region and Master Facilitator, while also focusing on her growing family. Melissa has worked on a variety of initiatives and has become the primary lead facilitator for Corporate Teams, working with hundreds of their clients.
Melissa’s favorite and most cherished role has been that of being a mom to her four kiddos! After dealing with multiple sports-related injuries among her children and seeing the positive impact of physical therapy and preventative movement therapy on their wellbeing, she jumped at the opportunity to join the team at Smith Physical Therapy +. Melissa is going back to her roots and diving back into the Public Relations arena in her new position, and is excited to spread the word about all the great things Smith PT+ has to offer.
Melissa has spent the last 18 years as a Huntley resident. She loves spending time with her husband and four kids (and her dog, Roxie), typically on the sidelines of a sporting event. She enjoys reading, live music, hiking, cheering on her kiddos and would love to one day live in Colorado!
Rookie
Staff Therapy Dog
Rookie
Meet Rookie! The best staff therapy dog a business could ask for! Rookie considers the Crystal Lake clinic his second home. Whether he is greeting patients in the lobby upon their arrival, keeping clinic staff company in the back office or seeking out patients who may need a little extra attention, Rookie is sure to put a smile on your face with his kind, compassionate demeanor.
Request a Speaker for Your Event
We have experienced physical therapists who are available to speak on a variety of topics related to health, wellness, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. Learn more about requesting an expert for your next event.
Reviews from Our Clients
EXCELLENTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recommend this place to everyone I know but realized I never have done a Google review. This is an amazing practice that focuses on 1:1 care. Thank you to Dana, Jen and Denise for so much support and care over the years!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Of all of the therapy establishements I've used over the past years Smith is #1 with me. Caring and focused with great communication skills. And, Dana I can't say enough about. By far the best I've enountered.Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I would definitely recommend working with Megan. I was having knee pain from running and after working with her on my form for a few weeks, I’m back to running without pain. She was patient and worked with me until I understood how to fix my form.Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 12/10 recommend Smith Physical Therapy. I was referred there by a friend after injuring myself running, and was blown away by the service. Learned a lot about how to clean up my running technique to avoid future injuries. I love that they have videos of the exercises you need to do at home to support your recovery (because who remembers all of the cues and form tips PT gives you once you get home?) When my running injury was resolved, I got a great referral to help with my pelvic floor issues. I appreciate that the people at Smith were honest about when I had reached the level of care they could offer, and gave a referral to a service that I needed, but wasn’t currently offered there. Overall, great PT practice with a culture that’s encouraging and fun. Has great modern amenities that help you be more successful with your homework. Will be my first call if a PT need arises in the future.Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. SmithPT has been a trusted partner for myself and my family for years now. They are patient, supportive, and truly care about finding the best outcome. They’ve helped us with everything from car injury rehab to running techniques, to postpartum help, to aches and pains from old injuries. There is no one else we trust as much as SmithPT!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Going through any rehabilitation therapy is never enjoyable. However, it never felt like that at Smith PT. Denise and team genuinely care about their patients and are incredibly kind. Denise not only treated my injury; she took the time to get to know me and create a personalized plan for my goals. When attending my appointments, it always felt like self-care and I looked forward to my sessions with Denise. She's amazing and cannot recommend her enough!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Smith is so great! Tracy and Megan have really helped me with strengthening my leg after injuring it and getting ready to return to play!