Colleen Vecchetti

Clinic Director-PT, MPT, DPT, OCS

Raised on the beautiful Central Coast, Colleen attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. In 2007, she received her Bachelors of Science degree in Biological Sciences.

In 2010, Colleen earned a Masters of Physical Therapy from Fresno State University, and was recognized as both class Valedictorian and recipient of the prestigious Darlene Stewart Award for Professional Promise. This award is presented to a graduate student who demonstrates a consistent pattern of leadership and service to the physical therapy profession. 

After graduation, Colleen returned to the Central Coast to practice Physical Therapy, beginning an extensive eighteen-month orthopedic residency program at San Luis Sports Therapy.  Soon after the program’s completion in January 2013, she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Evidence in Motion Institute of Health Professions. 

Currently certified as a Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Colleen also has extensive training in Vestibular Rehabilitation. She is an ImPACT Trained Physical Therapist specializing in concussion care, with acute care experience rehabilitating patients in the hospital.

In her free time, she loves to travel and spend time with her family. She never turns down a game of tennis. 

Education
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Bachelor of Science, Biology, June 2007

California State University, Fresno
Master of Physical Therapy, May 2010

EIM Institute of Health Professions
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, January 2013

Professional Associations
American Physical Therapy Association
Orthopedic Member
California Chapter
VEDA (Vestibular Disorders Association)

Eric Balash

PT, DPT, ATC

Eric was born and raised in Canton, Ohio. He attended Wilmington College where he swam for four years and completed his degree in Athletic Training, becoming an Athletic Trainer. During his senior year at Wilmington College, Eric completed a year long internship with the Cincinnati Bengals and their medical staff. Following graduation, Eric attended Chatham University in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. While at Chatham, Eric was very involved with the Go Baby Go organization and assisted to modify ride on cars for children with developmental delays. Professionally, Eric is interested in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation and helping to get people back to the things they like to do. In his free time, Eric enjoys being active in his community, rock climbing, and spending time with his family.

Education
Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Doctor of Physical Therapy, December 2018 

Wilmington College, Wilmington, Ohio
Bachelor of Science, Athletic Training, May 2016

Benjamin Taillie

PT, DPT

Ben was raised in Rochester, New York and received his Bachelor of Science in Health Science from The College at Brockport State University of New York. He developed a passion for physical therapy through life-long participation in sports and undergoing his personal rehabilitation for multiple sport related knee injuries. Ben went on to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of New England in Portland Maine and is devoted to helping individuals of all ages return to the activities they enjoy. Ben’s professional interests include orthopedic and sports rehabilitation and is dedicated to having a positive impact on the health and well-being for everyone through improving human movement. Ben is an outdoor enthusiast and in his free time can be found hiking, running, golfing, traveling, and spending with his friends and family.

Education

University of New England, Portland, Maine
Doctor of Physical Therapy, May 2021

The College at Brockport SUNY, Brockport, New York
Bachelor of Science, Health Science, May 2017

Clara Watson

PT, DPT

Clara was born in Japan and raised for most of her life in Fresno, California where she graduated from Fresno Pacific University with a major in Kinesiology in 2014. In 2019, she received a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Azusa Pacific University. Clara’s professional interests include orthopedic and neurologic rehabilitation and she is currently certified in Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) exercises. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling, playing soccer, hiking, and being with friends and family.

Education:

Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California

Doctor of Physical Therapy, December 2019

Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, California

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, May 2014

Karen Sweeny

PTA

Karen was raised in Roseville, California. She attended Cal State Sacramento to gain her BS in Athletic Training, now known as Kinesiology. She instantly knew that she was in love with physical education and wanted to learn more. Karen relocated to the Central Coast and attended Cal Poly receiving her Master in Physical Education and Wellness. Karen instantly knew that the Central Coast is where she belonged. Shortly after graduation Karen started her life as a PTA for an outpatient clinic. After 10 years in outpatient, Karen wanted to explore physical therapy in a different light. She decided that Home Health is where she needed to be. Karen enjoyed the one-on-one care that she was able to give her patients. After 4 years in Home Health, Karen wanted to pursue a different job route. 

Being a competitive swimmer and  lifeguard all throughout highschool and college, when given the opportunity to work for the City of Morro Bay she took it. If you are a parent or played sports for the city, you might recognize Karen. She was the city's Recreation Supervisor of Sports, Aquatics, and Special Events. Karen enjoyed watching the kids in Morro Bay learn to be junior lifeguards, play softball, and gain confidence in their physical abilities. After 17 years with the city, COVID-19 ended Karen’s career. While she deeply misses working for the City of Morro Bay, she is thrilled to be back where she belongs. 

Karen is passionate about maximizing her patients potential and returning them to what they love doing the most. She appreciates that here at Movement for Life we truly embody the saying, “we are here for what moves you.” She enjoys treating those of all ages for orthopedic, neurological, and/ or cardiovascular- related conditions. She also enjoys being able to work with and give back to the community that has given her so much. 

In her free time, Karen enjoys reading, crocheting, hiking with her daughters, and trying out new recipes, when she doesn’t have to do the dishes, of course. Karen also enjoys traveling, some of her favorite spots are Tahoe, Hawaii, and San Diego. It is rumored that Karen could be classified as a “Disney adult” and will never turn down a Disney movie marathon or the opportunity to visit Disneyland. 

Education 

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Master of Physical Education and Wellness Management 

California State University, Sacramento 

Bachelors of Science, Physical Education and Athletic Training 

Alan De Vera

PT, DPT

Alan was born and raised in Manila City, Philippines, before moving with his family to the United States in 2004. He received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2022. For his undergraduate studies, he attended San Jose State University where he studied Kinesiology and specialized in Rehabilitation Science. His professional interests primarily lie in orthopedics, sports medicine, and strength & conditioning. Alan is certified in Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) and has plans to become a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). In his free time Alan enjoys staying active with basketball, rock climbing, volleyball, hiking, and weight-lifting.

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, San Marcos, California

Doctor of Physical Therapy, April 2022

San Jose State University, San Jose, California Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, May 2018

Kyle Cristal

PT, DPT

Kyle grew up here on the Central Coast of California in Templeton attending local schools up to and including Cuesta College. He traveled to San Francisco to complete his Bachelor's degree and shortly after moved to Oregon to study massage therapy and work with a chiropractor in Ashland. After spending time in the field he decided to return to California to further his education and apply for Physical Therapy programs in Southern California. He was accepted into the University of St Augustine in San Marcos for the Fall term of 2018. He intends to specialize in orthopedic medicine through an OCS residency. Outside of work he enjoys exercise, meditation, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Education

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences San Marcos CA

Doctor of Physical Therapy June 2021

Ashland Institute of Massage Ashland OR

Licensed Massage Therapist May 2013

San Francisco State University San Francisco CA

Bachelor's of Arts, Philosophy June 2012

Alyssa Petersen

Front Office Manager

Alyssa was born and raised in McKinney, Texas. She made her way to the Central Coast after graduating high school. With no plans in mind other than a change of pace, she attended San Joaquin Valley College and graduated at the top of her class in a Business Administration Certification program. In this certification course she gained a love for marketing and the accounting cycle. Since then she has continued to further her education at Cuesta College. She first joined Movement for Life, known then as San Luis Sports Therapy in 2019 as the Front Office Assistant without any knowledge of what the body is capable of. 

She has since become the Front Office Manager and the unofficial clinic event planner. One of her favorite things about working at Movement for Life is knowing that she is able to help create a positive atmosphere for each patient that walks in the clinic. She enjoys helping to lead her front desk team in creating an at home atmosphere for each and every person who walks through the clinic doors. She likes to say that she is always able to help out with planning all your physical therapy needs and answering any questions you might have along the way.

When Alyssa is not at work she enjoys spending time at the beach with her dogs, going to Spark Yoga, tending to her house plants/garden, trying new recipes, upcycling furniture, and spending quality time with her friends and family. 

Come on in, to Movement for Life Morro Bay and let Alyssa help get you on your road to recovery!