Gymnastics & Dance PT Mentorship

Physical Therapy for the Dancer and Gymnast — a 12-week paid mentorship

On The Move Physical Therapy and Pilates is a private outpatient physical therapy clinic and pilates studio. We see a variety of patients but we are best known for helping young athletes, gymnasts and dancers pursue their dreams by teaching them how to prevent and recover completely from injury. We are offering a 12-week paid mentorship for physical therapists who have a desire to become proficient in treating this population.

Typical week will consist of:

  • 20-30 hours of direct patient care

  • 1-5 hours of mentoring time on relevant clinical topics and current patients

  • 1-5 hours of "on the field" experience

  • Opportunities are based on time of year. Some examples - gymSAFE movement screens at training gyms and backstage physical therapy during performances

  • 1-5 hours of didactics

  • Weekly journal clubs, skills development, Gymnastics Medicine grand rounds, capstone presentation

Testimonials

  • Dr. Kassina Kim-Hayes

    2024 Mentorship

    “Completing the gymnastics and dance mentorship at On the Move Physical Therapy was one of the best choices I made as a new physical therapist. Not only did I get weekly scheduled mentorship hours to discuss important topics, cases and practice skills, but I also got to work first hand with a unique patient population that is so rare to find at other clinics. The clinicians at On the Move have a specialized skillset that helped me develop my understanding of both standard and specialized physical therapy skills. I especially enjoyed preparing for and assisting in running a workshop for a larger group of gymnasts. The mentorship helped me gain confidence as a physical therapist and I truly felt at home working with the On the Move team.”

  • Dr. Ellese Miller

    2023 Mentorship

    “I had the opportunity to complete the Gymnastics and Dance On The Move Mentorship Program with Alyssa Herrera-Set. As a prior collegiate gymnast it was eye opening to learn and gain clinical knowledge that I wish I had when I was a gymnast. Now that I am a physical therapist, being able to give back positively to this community means a lot. There are some similarities as well with concepts in dance rehab, but dance is very unique in its own. Now, I feel grateful to be able to be a part of the gymnastics and dance community and their unique sports demands. After completing the mentorship program I can more effectively help gymnasts and dancers in their recovery journey. I also feel I have learned valuable tools and ways of approaching this population that I can continue to build and improve on. 

    I really appreciated the schedule during the mentorship program. There  were daily goals and specific topics to cover. There was a lot of opportunity for one on one discussion, observational learning, one on one practice, and direct patient care. Alyssa was supportive and gave kind and constructive feedback. She was mindful of my own learning style that would be the most effective for me. 

    Alyssa cares about your growth as a clinician, while valuing you as a person.  I think that also translates in how she works with the dancer and gymnast population, and why she has been so successful.”

  • Dr. Nicole Jackman

    2022 Mentorship

    “When I first spoke with Alyssa, I knew the Gymnastics and Dance Mentorship Program would be a perfect fit for me. As a former professional ballerina, I was eager to deepen my clinical skills and knowledge to better support dancers. The program also introduced me to the unique demands of working with gymnasts, an area I had little experience in at the time.

    Alyssa tailored the mentorship to my specific needs, allowing time for patient observation, practicing manual techniques, exercise prescription, and discussions around clinical reasoning. She is a fantastic mentor—patient, kind, and incredibly supportive.

    The On the Move clinic fosters a nurturing learning environment, and I always felt supported by Alyssa and the other clinicians. Completing the mentorship provided me with a strong foundation to serve these two distinct populations, and it's an area I'm continuing to develop.

    I highly recommend this mentorship to any physical therapist interested in working with gymnasts and dancers!”