To be patient advocates. To renew hope in those who are in pain or are not able to do the things that they love most. To help people get better faster and achieve their goals; whether it is being able to run a marathon, or being able to hold their grandkids. No matter what the case is, we want to be able to help you achieve the best outcome with your physical health, and to enjoy the process along the way.
Brūs treats a wide variety of conditions from sports injuries, post-surgical cases, chronic neck and low back pain, jaw/facial pain, headaches, fall prevention, pre/post amputation, neurological conditions, and vestibular rehabilitation.
More About Brūs
He is a self-described “elbow nerd” from the research he helped conduct to treat individuals with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Along with being a physical therapist, Brūs has worked as a strength and conditioning coach in the past for local sports teams and continues to help with programing and injury prevention. In his spare time, Brūs enjoys hunting, fishing, playing softball, and spending time with his wife Karla, daughters Charlee and Quinlee, and taking his dog Buck for walks and hikes.
Education
Carroll College
•Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences with minors in Community Health and Psychology
Western University of Health Sciences
•Doctor of Physical Therapy
American Academy of Manipulative Therapy
•Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
Credentials
•Licensed Physical Therapist
• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Fellow of American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
• Diploma of Osteopractic Physical Therapy
• Vestibular Rehabilitation and Concussion Certification
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Certified in Spinal Manipulative Therapy
• Certified in Dry Needling
• Barbell Rehabilitation and Concussion Certification
Kyla is a Helena native, growing up on a small farm in the Helena Valley. She treats a wide variety of diagnoses ranging from sports and running injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, pelvic floor dysfunction, neck and low back pain, headaches, and falls prevention.
More About Kyla
Growing up, Kyla was involved in lots of outdoor and athletic activities, helping to develop a love for fitness, outdoors, and adventures. With this exposure to physical activities, Kyla found her true passion and pursued it into, you guessed it, Physical Therapy. Furthering her passion and education within the field of Physical Therapy, she has attended many courses teaching her how to utilize a hands-on approach, as well as specializing in Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation. She loves getting to know all of her patients on a personal basis in order to help them enjoy coming to Physical Therapy and get them back to doing what they love.
Outside of work, she enjoys trying new foods, hiking, hunting, and skiing with her husband, kids and two dogs. This is, of course, when she can find time around the kids’ busy extracurricular and sports schedules.
Education
Montana State University
• Bachelors in Science
A.T. Still University
• Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Credentials
•Licensed Physical Therapist
• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
• Certified in Dry Needling
• Graston Trained Provider
• Barbell Rehab Certified Physical Therapist
Dr. Emily Taylor
PT, DPT, BRM
Growing up just south of Seattle, Emily spent the majority of her school years competing in sports like gymnastics, track and field, and cross country, which ultimately led her into a career with physical therapy.
More About Emily
After experiencing a few sports-related injuries of her own, she developed an appreciation and understanding of how physical therapy had helped her get back onto her feet in no time. Emily particularly enjoys treating any range of musculoskeletal injuries and helping others return to the activities that are important to each of them, as well as helping her patients return to their optimal quality of life. Her favorite specialties to treat include shoulder injuries, elbow injuries, neck/low-back pain, hips, knees, and ankles/feet.
In her free time, Emily enjoys running, biking, and spending time with her husband, Tavish, and dog, Toby.
Education
Seattle Pacific University
• Bachelors of Science in Human Biology
Eastern Washington University
• Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Credentials
•Licensed Physical Therapist
• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
• Heskiers Tool Certified Physical Therapist
• Barbell Rehab Certified Physical Therapist
•Certified in Upper Extremity Dry Needling
Alese Larson, PTA
PTA, CLT
Alese grew up in the Helena Valley with a love of the outdoors, sports, and family. She spends most of her time outside with her dog and partner, hiking, camping, cross country skiing, and enjoying all Montana has to offer.
More About Alese
Alese has a previous degree in teaching but her heart lies in health care, helping people to get back to the activities they love and to achieve their physical goals. She decided to go back to school in order to fulfill her passion of helping others and in 2018 graduated from Flathead Valley Community College with an associates degree in Physical Therapist Assisting. She has a certification in Complete Lymphatic Drainage and is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. She also has training in clinical orthopedics and Myofascial Release techniques. She helps treat a wide variety of diagnoses including neck and low back pain, joint rehabilitation, chronic pain, balance training, and strengthening.
In her free time she enjoys hiking, camping, playing volleyball and softball as well as hanging out at the lake.
Education
Montana State University
• Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education
Flathead Valley Community College
• Associates Degree in Physical Therapist Assisting
Credentials
•Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
• Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Michelle
Front Desk Coordinator
About Michelle
Michelle moved to Helena 25 years ago with her husband, Dave, and joined the team at Advocate Physical Therapy shortly after the businesses opened in January of 2022. She loves to spend any free time with her husband, their three (now grown) children, and her grandson, Fin. She enjoys taking walks frequently, hosting summer BBQs, and coming to work to meet new people and hear their stories as they progress through their physical therapy journey.
Kim
Front Desk Coordinator
About Kim
Originally from Niagara Falls, NY, Kim recently moved to Helena in order to be closer to her family that lives here, becoming part of the team at Advocate Physical Therapy shortly after, in the summer of 2022. She loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, working in the garden, and enjoys days spent at the lake. Through her work, Kim has enjoyed meeting new people and being able to get a front row seat to following them along on their physical therapy journey.
Matthew
Marketing Coordinator
About Matthew
Matthew is a born-and-raised Helena native, and joined the team at Advocate Physical Therapy in the spring of 2023, bringing with him years of marketing, business management, graphic design, and community engagement expertise that he's picked up throughout his career. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, exploring, and photographing the hidden corners of Montana with his partner, Chandler, and golden retriever companion, Sunny.
Kaitlyn
Clinic Assistant
About Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn is a Helena native and is active in her community through her work with the National Honor Society, Key Club, and her high school's varsity softball team. She became a part of the team at Advocate Physical Therapy during the summer of 2023 as our Clinical Assistant. Kaitlyn enjoys spending her summer days at the lake with her family and two black labs.
#AdvocateInTheCommunity
At Advocate Physical Therapy, we believe in being strong supporters of our community, events, and local athletics. By being involved in and sponsoring youth athletic programs throughout the greater Helena, Townsend, and Boulder areas, we're able to provide top-level personal training expertise and physical therapy care, to help keep our athletes safe and healthy; and provide additional funding to help keep these programs active and thriving.
