Hi, I’m Kristen.
I’m a Doctor of Physical Therapy, former dance teacher, and founder of Delaware Dance Physical Therapy.
But more than anything, I’m someone who deeply understands the world dancers grow up in because I’ve lived it from multiple sides.
My path into dance medicine didn’t start in a clinic.
It all started in the studio.
Before becoming a physical therapist, I was a dancer and teacher.
Like most teachers, I learned by doing. I picked things up through my own training and the guidance of the people around me. I cared about my students and wanted to help them succeed.
But I was never formally taught how to support their bodies.
And now, years later, working as a physical therapist specializing in dance medicine,
I see the same patterns over and over again:
Injuries that could have been prevented.
Dancers pushing through pain.
Studios doing their best but missing key pieces of the puzzle.
That realization is what shaped the work I do today.
What I do now
I specialize in helping dancers and dance educators train in a way that supports long-term health.
My work focuses on:
injury prevention
strength and mobility for dancers
recovery and load management
educating teachers and studios on safer training practices
In addition to working one-on-one with dancers, I teach workshops, intensives, and training sessions for dancers and educators throughout the tri-state area, as well as virtually.
Because the goal isn’t just to dance well now.
It’s to keep dancing for years to come.
My Experience
Kristen has worked as a physical therapist in dance medicine since 2014.
During her graduate studies, she had the opportunity to provide dance medicine rehabilitation for the Charlotte Ballet as a student physical therapist.
She has worked with dancers from:
• Pennsylvania Ballet
• BalletX
• Philadanco
• Touring Broadway Shows (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Les Misérables, Dear Evan Hansen, MJ the Musical, Tina)
• Rock School of Dance
• University of the Arts
• Swarthmore College
helping them recover from injuries and perform at their highest level.
Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Delaware and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Saint Joseph’s University.
Beyond the studio
Kristen is also a mom of two and spends much of her time outside of work enjoying slow days with her family, playing outside, exploring, and soaking up this season of life.
That perspective has deepened her commitment to helping dancers build sustainable, healthy relationships with movement that last far beyond their training years.
Why This Matters
Dancers are often taught to push through.
To stretch more.
To work harder.
To ignore discomfort.
But there’s another way.
One that builds stronger, more resilient dancers without sacrificing their bodies in the process.
That’s the work I’m here to do.
