Simons Physical Therapy is owned by Stacey M. Simons, PT and Holly A. Cooper, PTA. Both are licensed therapists in the state of Arizona. Our clinic specializes in orthopedic, geriatric and neurological conditions and our therapists have over 100 years of experience combined. We are avid integrators of traditional and alternative techniques.
Stacey earned her physical therapy degree from Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts and graduated in 1994.
Stacey's 20+ years of experience is focused on the practice of outpatient orthopedics. Much of her work focuses on manual therapy and structural mobilization. She continues to expands her skills through extensive course work, with a special interest in soft tissue injuries and biomechanics. Stacey is certified in myofascial release, strain and counterstrain, cranial sacral therapy and Functional Movement Screens, as well as all joint mobilizations and orthotics fabrication.
After working for many years in various outpatient settings, she was seeking a more hands on approach to treat the whole patient. This lead to opening her own practice in 2003. She has recently completed a course in dry-needling and is fully licensed to provide treatment. In her free time Stacey enjoys cooking and and is an avid sports fan, but above all go NY GIANTS!! She also enjoys spending time with her partner and walking her dogs.
Angela Jennings graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2003 with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She has worked in hospitals (including TMC & El Dorado), skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. This gives her a broad perspective on rehabilitation throughout all of its phases after a serious injury or illness. Her current focus is on the upper extremity for issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, and tendonitis. Angela is a Certified Fall Prevention Specialist. She has taken continuing education classes in myofascial release, strain/counterstrain, falls & balance, and cervical mobilization for headaches. Angela has completed the foundational course on Mind-Body Medicine taught by Matt Erb, PT. She is married with 2 young daughters and a mini poodle. She enjoys knitting stuffed animals for her girls and baby blankets for charities.
Matt Erb, PT, is a physiotherapist with an integrative approach to care. He currently specializes in working with mind-body integrated approaches for people experiencing both somatic issues (e.g. headache/migraine, fatigue, muscle tension, dysautonomia, chronic pain, etc.) and mental health challenges (e.g. high stress, anxiety/depression, trauma exposure). He also has extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of dizziness, vertigo and vestibular disorders. He incorporates biofeedback, exercise and contemplative movement training, yoga therapy, self-care training, and hands/on manual therapies. He actively works to expand the role of integrative physiotherapy in mental health care. He also serves as a faculty member and Associate Clinical Director for The Center for Mind-Body Medicine based out of Washington D.C. Matt teaches/consults internationally and recently developed and co-edited a large scale textbook on Integrative Rehabilitation Practice: The Foundations of Whole-Person Care for Health Professionals. Matt was raised in Iowa and spent many years in Minneapolis before his move to Tucson. In his free time, he enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife, reading (especially psychology, scientific research, and philosophy), studying and practicing yoga, engaging in meditation and other psychospiritual practices, exercise, and gardening.
Leah Walker graduated from St. Louis University in 1992 with a degree in Physical Therapy. She has practiced in a variety of settings including inpatient, home health, schools, and outpatient orthopedics. Prior to joining Simons Physical Therapy, she worked at the Spine Center specializing in treating back and neck pain. She is certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling. While she does incorporate a variety of techniques to treat patients, including myofascial release, joint mobilizations, and movement assisted mobilizations, she believes that movement is medicine and a properly dosed exercise program is key to leading a healthy, functional life.
In her free time, she spends most of her time traveling with and watching her daughter's softball team. (Go Rebels!) She also enjoys camping with her husband and daughter, baking, and attempting to turn her black thumb green in her garden.
Kristen Johnson graduated in 2011 from A.T. Still University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She offers a blend of integrative mind-body medicine with manual modalities including craniosacral therapy, myofascial release and visceral manipulation, in addition to joint mobilizations. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, with specialized training in vestibular disorders, cervicogenic dizziness, Parkinson’s Disease, and chronic pain. Kristen is also enrolled in Somatic Experiencing training, a body-oriented approach to healing trauma and other stress related disorders. She incorporates approaches such as biofeedback, yoga, somatic movement practices and qigong to enhance therapeutic exercise in order to access new movement potential. She loves to be outdoors, whether hiking, backpacking, or dancing, and has a regular meditation and yoga practice. She believes that authenticity is key to health and hopes to empower individuals to find their best self.
Amanda is a native Tucsonian and U of A Alumni who recently returned after several years out of state. She received her DPT from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2018. She is passionate about working with patients with various diagnoses. She has taken specialized courses focused on helping patients with chronic pain, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal ailments, as well as LSVT Big protocol for treating patients with Parkinson’s Disease.
She has two beautiful children and a dog. Aside from spending time with her husband, kids, and dog, she enjoys spending time outdoors, practicing yoga, running, traveling, and trying new recipes or restaurants.
Mike graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass, with his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree in 2014. He began practicing in the beautiful White Mountains of Northern Arizona, and relocated to Tucson in 2019. Mike obtained his certification in Functional Manual Therapy in 2021 and believes in whole patient, one on one, care.
Mike is an avid skier, mountain biker, camper, and hiker. He is engaged to his beautiful fiancé, Emily, and is a passionate doggie dad to 3.
Erin completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She is a mind-body physical therapist, as well as a Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!) Certified Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher. She is also trained in Integrative Dry Needling. Erin was born and raised in Chicago but loves the Arizona sunshine. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, and reading. As a clinician her goal is to empower clients with strategies to generate health and well-being and to aid them in harnessing their body's innate ability to heal.
Allyn Baker graduated with a PTA degree in July 2016 from Pima Medical Institute of Tucson, Arizona. Allyn is also a Licensed Massage Therapist. She graduated from the Desert Institute of the Healing Arts in 1998. She taught Anatomy/Physiology and Massage Techniques at the Desert Institute and the Cortiva Institute. In her 18 years as a Massage Therapist, she specialized in Deep Tissue techniques, Hot Stones, Kinesio Taping and Reflexology. Allyn holds certifications in Kinesio Taping and is looking forward to adding more certifications in Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Release.
In her spare time Allyn enjoys spending time with her family and creating beautiful music with Tucson's only community handbell group, Sonoran Bells.
Katrina graduated with her Associates Degree from Pima Medical Institute in 2019. She is dedicated to the wellbeing and safety of her patients and helping people of all ages improve their quality of life with Physical Therapy. She is certified in Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Release.
In her spare time she loves hiking, hanging out with her large family, and playing with her puppy Remi.
Greg worked as a massage therapist for 12 years. He spent two of those years at Canyon Ranch. He graduated from Pima Medical Institute as a Physical Therapy Assistant in 2006. His focus is on out patient orthopedics with a strong emphasis on manual skills. He is experienced with Kinesio Tape, Luco Tape, and articular strain techniques. He has taken continuing education classes in osteo-manual medicine.
In his free time, Greg escapes into the Sonoran Desert and Mexico on foot and bike.
Liz Hill is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant who graduated from PMI in 2019. She enjoys helping her patients through the healing process. Liz’s philosophy is to treat each patient as family and let them know they are not alone in their rehabilitation. She ensures that each of her patients feels heard, cared for, and is a vital contributor to their own healing. She has experience in working with lymphedema, balance/fall risk, pelvic floor and orthopedic patients.
In her free time, Liz loves spending time with her daughter and family. She loves the ocean, singing, playing games and watching movies with family or friends.
Nick Novak is a native Tucsonan and 2021 graduate of Pima Medical Institute. He has a passion for connecting with and educating patients during the rehabilitation process. He has completed the John Barnes myofascial release training.
Nick’s interests include minimalist footwear, live music, and exploring the local food scene. In his free time, he enjoys taking his dog to the park, or generally getting as far away from cars and buildings as possible. He is also SPT's resident "Dad Joke" extraordinaire!
