Dr. Mollie Fitzsimmons

PT, DPT, CPI

Dr. Mollie graduated with a MSPT from Boston University in 1999 and later received a DPT from Western University of Health Sciences in 2006. Mollie considers her strengths as a P.T. stem from years of intensive classical ballet training which allows for her to focus on the details of movement analysis and movement retraining. Additionally, besides being a licensed P.T. with years of experience, Mollie has been a certified Pilates Instructor since (2003). She is a graduate of Long Beach Dance Conditioning in Long Beach California. Mollie also has a strong commitment to continued professional growth and development with an emphasis in manual therapy techniques. She has recently completed the Pregnancy and Post-partum Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification Program through PCES, and SFMA Level 1 and 2 Certifications. She also has attended numerous  MAPs courses and is advancing in the Maitland based approach to manual therapy. Mollie strongly believes in a mind body connection to overall balance and wellness and has strong interests in mindfulness, yin and restorative yoga. Besides adhering to a healthy lifestyle, other interests include bouldering, yoga, CrossFit / strength training and hiking. She is happy to be able to share her skills and experience with clients of MUV Pilates & Physical Therapy in Carlsbad.

Dr. Erin Haffner

PT, DPT, OCS

Erin graduated in 2009 with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of California San Francisco/San Francisco State University. Erin has worked extensively with Orthopaedic patients over the last 7 years, initially working with adults in an outpatient Orthopaedic clinic in North County San Diego and then later with children and adolescents at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Erin has special talents in orthopaedics, sports rehab, pilates rehab, running biomechanics and manual therapy. Erin has taught injury prevention programs for young athletes and analyzed biomechanics in runners using force plate and video analysis. Erin has been a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy since 2012 and has been certified as a TRX suspension trainer since 2012. Erin also has a strong manual therapy background and has taken a year long manual therapy course taught by Michael Miller, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT. Erin’s goal is to improve patients’ movement patterns and to provide customized therapeutic exercise routines to achieve their highest level of function. At MUV Pilates & Physical Therapy in Carlsbad, Dr. Erin is grateful for the opportunity to improve the lives of patients and clients in the community on a daily basis.

Dr. Marissa Kusunose

PT, DPT, NCPT

Marissa graduated in 2016 with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami. Since graduating, Marissa has worked in outpatient orthopedic settings, first in Boulder, CO then in various clinics in the North County San Diego area.
Marissa completed her Comprehensive Rehabilitative Training through Polestar Pilates in August 2015 and became nationally certified through the Pilates Method Alliance in October 2015. Marissa has additional training in Pilates adaptions for clients with scoliosis and those with neurological diseases. Marissa also has experience working with the perinatal population, a special passion of hers after welcoming her first child. She recently became a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist to better assist this population.

In addition to her expertise in Pilates, Marissa believes in the power a Counterstrain, an advanced osteopathic manual technique. She has taken multiple courses through The Jones Institute and already completed a Counterstrain mentorship program. She plans on pursuing this technique further in her coming years as a Physical Therapist.

Marissa’s goal is to create a positive movement experience for her patients, focused on precision, control, and efficiency of movement in a fun and supportive environment. At MUV Pilates & Physical Therapy, Marissa enjoys working with a diverse patient population, with a special interest in treating adolescent athletes and postpartum women.

Dr. Keely Ahrold

PT, DPT, CPI

Keely a California native, she grew up in Dana Point and spent her younger years training as a dancer with the South Coast Conservatory of Dance. She pursued her passion and worked as a professional dancer in Los Angeles before returning to graduate school.

Keely completed her Master’s in Kinesiology at California State University, Northridge in 2018. Her focus was in Adaptive Physical Activity, researching developmental biomechanics of individuals with Autism. She continued her schooling and graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles, CA in 2021. She then spent time working as a Physical Therapist in an outpatient orthopedic setting in Los Angeles before moving south to San Diego County.

Keely is a Balanced Body certified Pilates instructor and has been instructing privately and in the group settings since 2017. She has also completed courses in the Mulligan Manual Therapy Concept of Movement with Mobilization, as well as holds a certification in Applied functional science (CAFS) from the Gray Institute. These concepts influence Keely’s movement driven treatment style to help motivated individuals improve their overall function. She has had experience with working with dancers, runners, weekend warriors, and all individuals who
strive to be better.