Mara Arlington graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula with her Master’s degree in physical therapy in 2001. She initially worked in Alaska at a rural hospital experiencing everything “the final frontier” has to offer. She and her husband then returned to the Bitterroot in 2002, and currently live in the Florence area with their 2 sons and daughter. She has worked in several outpatient therapy clinics and hospitals throughout the region.
Mara has a strong orthopedic clinical background, and has completed continuing education in many areas of physical therapy treatment. She is currently pursuing her specialist certification for hippotherapy, which is the utilization of horses in therapy treatment sessions. She owns Florence Therapy and Wellness and works full time at the Florence office and also spends evenings and weekends at the horse arena, working with her patients on horseback.
Mara enjoys spending time with her family, camping, hunting, running and horseback riding.
Rachel Sherba earned her bachelor's degree in psychology at Ohio University in 2001 and later went on to earn her Masters of Physical Therapy at Ohio State University in 2003. After earning her degree and sitting for the board exam, she went on to become a traveling physical therapist. While traveling throughout the country, she expanded her knowledge and experienced a variety of clinical settings, patient population, and therapeutic approaches from working with many therapists of differing backgrounds. Rachel is currently taking continuing education classes through the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy and courses with Diane Lee to expand her knowledge and practice of manual therapy.
Rachel stresses the importance of education and communication as an integral part of the physical therapy process. She feels that the rehabilitation of a current injury and the prevention of future injuries go hand-in-hand with good communication with the referring physician, a thorough physical therapy evaluation, and educating patients about the specifics in their own body mechanics and/or injury.
When outside of work, Rachel enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, working out, cooking, traveling, camping and just spending time with family and friends.
Chris Phipps is a registered, licensed occupational therapist with more than 35 years of experience. She has practiced in the states of Minnesota and Montana in both private practice and school based services, recently returning to Montana and the Bitterroot Valley. Her primary scope of practice is in pediatrics, including early intervention/0-3 years of age as well as with sensory processing disorders, including Autism Spectrum diagnosis. Chris also has experience with upper extremity rehabilitation.
Chris has completed extensive continuing education in many areas of OT; emphasizing in visual fine motor difficulties, Sensory Processing Disorder, and hippotherapy. She works part time for a Missoula school district and part time with Florence Therapy and Wellness, both in the clinic as well as the horse arena services.
In her free time, Chris likes to spend time with her family, go camping, work in her gardening, and do quilting; but especially loves being a grandma to her 8 grandchildren.
Clarisse Wilton was born and raised in the Bitterroot Valley. She attended Brigham Young University Idaho and then was accepted to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Salt Lake Community College where she graduated in Dec 2008.
Clarisse has been working at Florence Therapy and Wellness since December 2010. She is a certified ASTYM provider along with general training in orthopedics, sports medicine, pediatrics, and women’s health. She loves working with a variety of different people and helping them achieve their goals. Clarisse is a strong believer in patient education and prevention in Physical therapy. You will find Clarisse at the Florence Clinic and also helping up at the barn with hippotherapy.
When not at work Clarisse loves to enjoy the outdoors camping, fishing, hiking, boating, gardening, horseback riding, & working on her grandparent’s farm. Clarisse also loves being with her Husband, family and friends attending local events, cooking, and soaking up beautiful Montana.