Our Staff

Susan has relocated to sunny California! Unfortunately for us here at Advance Physical Therapy, she is no longer seeing patients in person in our NC location. She remains a licensed PT in the state of NC and is available to treat patients, from CA, via tele therapy in NC. She will also be seeing patients in person or by tele therapy in CA and abroad, as allowed. We are very glad to be able access to her skills and expertise from across the country and the world!

Susan graduated from NYU in 1986 with a BA in Physical Therapy. She worked in major medical centers first in New York City, later in San Francisco, CA. Her early interest was in neurological rehabilitation. Due to a longstanding interest in dance and movement she began studies in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in the early 90’s. She pursued training in manual physical therapy approaches including Paris, Maitland, Mulligan and Jackson.

Susan then relocated to Pittsboro, NC with her husband and young son to open a small private practice in 1998.

In 2002 Susan was introduced to the extraordinary work of Ron Hruska, PT, Postural Restoration. She was immediately drawn to its holistic, biomechanically based concepts and powerful therapeutic techniques. This was the beginning of a major paradigm shift in her way of viewing and treating dysfunction. She was certified as a Postural Restoration Therapist in 2008.

Susan has continued to pursue an ever deepening understanding of the complexities of Postural Restoration rehabilitation.  Her fascination with asymmetry, respiration and movement brought about an interest in scoliosis.  In 2013, Susan was certified in Schroth based scoliosis rehabilitation as taught by the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School.  She is very interested in combining these two tri-planar, asymmetrical and respiratory based methodologies to provide powerful treatment tools for this complex condition.  In 2014, Susan was honored to be invited as a member of SOSORT – The ‘International Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment‘.  She is one of only a handful of American Physical Therapists with this designation.

Alongside her professional work as a physical therapist, Susan has been a student of Sensory Awareness, as taught by Charlotte Selver for over 30 years. This meditative movement practice enables her to incorporate work with the awareness of sensation and of breathing into her physical therapy practice.

Susan is an employee of Scoliosis and Postural Restoration Center (SPRC) which does not participate with insurance providers. SPRC will provide the documentation necessary for patients to file their own claim for reimbursement of physical therapy services. Please call our office at 919 932-7266 or visit us for more information.

Joe Belding, PT, PRC, earned his BS in Physical Therapy from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1975. Joe also has a 30+ year history in Martial Arts, and has studied Tae Kwon Do, T’ai Chi  Ch’uan and Chi Gong. He integrates the non-traumatic movement principles from these disciplines into his therapeutic exercise programs.

Joe has studied and utilizes a multitude of specialized manual techniques including joint mobilization, Connective Tissue Massage,  and Counterstrain, a release of tension patterns through positioning.

Joe began studying Postural Restoration in 2005. Postural Restoration is a series of manual techniques and highly specific exercises that are extremely effective at relieving pain throughout the body, restoring mobility and improving health. Joe has attended basic and advanced classes in Postural Restoration since 2005, and became a Postural Restoration Certified therapist in 2008.

Joe has worked in various settings, including Lennox Baker Children’s Hospital, Duke University Medical Center, and Durham County General Hospital, MedVisit Inc., Interim Home Health Agency, and Carolina Handand Occupational Therapy. He joined Advance Physical Therapy in 2003.

Joe was a member of the Joint Mobilization Study Group at Duke University Medical Center in 1978, and a founding member of the Triangle Orthopedic Study Group in 1988. He was an instructor for Clinical Applicationsof Electrical Modalities for Duke University Physical Therapy students from 1980 to 1984, and the instructor (adjunct faculty) to the Duke University Physical Therapy students  in Massage and Manual Therapy in 1989. He was an instructor for THE BACK SCHOOL at Durham County General Hospital from 1986 to 1992, and the author of BODY MECHANICS: A GUIDE FOR LIVING, an instructional booklet for clients of THE BACK SCHOOL. He developed a Functional Capacity Evaluation and Work Hardening program for Durham County General Hospital from 1986 to 1992, and was an exercise consultant for the Person Memorial Cardiac Rehabilitation program from 2001 to 2003.

Joe is a participating provider with MEDICARE, BCBS (excluding BlueValue, BlueHome and BlueLocal) and TRICARE. Advance Physical Therapy will bill on your behalf for in-network and out of network providers.

Heather McLaughlin earned a BA in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006 and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Elon University in 2010. Heather began her work as a physical therapist in an outpatient setting following her graduate studies and served as a clinic leader from 2016 to 2020. 

Early in her career she developed an appreciation for asymmetrical movement patterns, postural adaptations, and the influence of respiration and polyarticular chains of muscles on posture and movement. She began completing post-graduate studies provided by the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) and was inspired by how the Postural Restoration approach addressed dysfunction that “traditional” physical therapy could not. Experiencing the positive effects of this approach in her own life and the lives of her patients has led her to rethink what is possible in the realm of physical therapy.

Heather’s interest in triplanar postural asymmetry and respiration led her to seek specialization in the treatment of scoliosis. In 2021 she became certified in both Basic and Level 1 Schroth-based courses through the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS).

Heather has a passion for empowering patients to manage pain, improve function, and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Heather is a participating provider with MEDICARE, MEDICAID (21 and under), BCBS (excluding BlueValue, BlueHome and BlueLocal) and TRICARE. Advance Physical Therapy will bill on your behalf for in-network and out of network providers.

Debra K. Albrecht, specialist in head and neck pain, graduated with a BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1981.  Her interest in physical therapy grew out of her lifelong passion for dance as a performing art, with its beautiful asymmetrical movement, precise balance and elegant form.

With over 30 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist, Debra is skilled in evaluation and treatment of spinal dysfunction, head and neck pain, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), headaches and orofacial pain, as well as in orthopaedic rehabilitation and sports injury.  She utilizes manual therapy techniques, including joint mobilization, visceral and myofascial release to compliment work on postural retraining and functional strengthening.

Debra began her career in PT at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, TN.  Some years later, in pursuit of a specialty manual techniques, she moved to Atlanta Georgia where she grew from the position of staff PT to the role of Clinical Director of an orthopaedic and sports clinic.  During this period, Debra had the opportunity to study extensively with the renowned Dr. Mariano Rocabado, DPT, CCTT, a specialist in treatment of the head and neck pain and related TMD.

Marriage brought Debra to Raleigh, NC in 1994. During her years at the Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic, she continued to expand her expertise with course work through The Institute of Physical Art.  It was during this period that she began to recognize the importance of visceral myofascial treatment for improving respiratory function, posture, lumbopelvic alignment, and temporomandibular joint function.

In 2004, at Wellness One clinic, Debra earned certification as a Dr. Vodder Lymphedema Therapist (CDT) to compliment her treatment of oncology and breast cancer patients.

In 2009, at Sports & More PT., Inc. she refocused on the biomechanical relationship of head, neck and TMJ, this time especially in application to voice and airway dysfunctions.  She had the opportunity to work in a team approach with Speech/Voice Therapy and Otolaryngology for patients following vocal cord surgery. She also enjoyed treating singing performing artisits.

Debra brought her wealth of knowledge and skills to Advance Physical Therapy in 7/2019.  Now, as a valued member of the Advance team, Debra is incorporating the biomechanical, respiratory, neurological framework of Postural Restoration into her unique physical therapy skill set with excellent results. In 2025 Debra earn her Postural Restoration Certification (PRC).

Debra is a participating provider with MEDICARE, BCBS (excluding BlueValue, BlueHome and BlueLocal) and TRICARE. Advance Physical Therapy will bill on your behalf for in-network and out of network providers.

Danielle Wild received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Elon University and earned her B.S. in chemical engineering from Iowa State University.

Prior to entering the physical therapy profession, Danielle was a patient working with a postural restoration trained physical therapist regarding her scoliosis. She began to explore the mind-body connection through the PRI lens and enrolled in several courses after personally experiencing the transformation PRI offered. These experiences shifted her into a career change from engineering products to engineering people through the mind and body connection via the route of physical therapy.

Danielle’s continued interest in scoliosis and triplanar postural asymmetry and respiration led her to seek specialization in the treatment of scoliosis. In 2024 she became certified in the Basic coursework for the Schroth based approach to scoliosis. Then in 2025 she completed the intensive Level 1 Schroth-based courses through the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS). Combining her engineering mind with her specialized PT skills allows her to better support patients with postural imbalances like scoliosis and kyphosis.

Danielle is a participating provider with MEDICARE, BCBS (excluding BlueValue, BlueHome and BlueLocal) and TRICARE. Advance Physical Therapy will bill on your behalf for in-network and out of network providers.

Sarika Gaikhe joined Advance Physical Therapy in 2026, bringing advanced expertise in pelvic floor physical therapy and lymphedema treatment (CLT-LANA) to the Chapel Hill community.

Her keen interest in the science of Postural Restoration (PRI), combined with over 15 years of experience in rehabilitation, allows her to provide holistic care for chronic constipation, abdominal separation (diastasis recti), postpartum pain, and general orthopedic conditions such as back pain and knee pain.

Specialized Expertise

• Pelvic Health: Chronic constipation, pregnancy-related pain, postpartum recovery, and abdominal separation (diastasis recti).
• Manual Therapy: Utilizing hands-on techniques to enhance treatment outcomes and provide more immediate relief.
• Whole-Body Wellness: Looking beyond surface symptoms to identify and treat the underlying causes of dysfunction.

Education & Background

• Bachelor’s in Physical Therapy (2007): Earned in India before relocating to the U.S. in 2009.
• Master’s in Exercise Science: Oakland University, Michigan.
• Doctorate of Physical Therapy (2017): Utica College, New York.

Personal Philosophy

Sarika is passionate about patient empowerment. She believes that by helping patients understand their own conditions, she can partner with them to achieve a better quality of life.

When she isn’t in the clinic, Sarika stays active by hiking and exploring National Parks. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Deana McCollum is a member of our outstanding Administrative Staff. She is one of the people welcoming you and managing our busy office. Deana graduated from North Carolina State University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has experience in many different administrative capacities in various industries. Since 2003, she has worked in the healthcare industry, including mental health, general medical practice and now physical therapy. Deana enjoys interacting with patients and is a constant source of help and support.

Robin Sharp is one of the people welcoming you and managing our busy office. Robin attended the University of Alabama, graduating in 1998 with Bachelor’s degree in Education. Roll Tide! She also attended culinary school locally at The Art Institute in Durham, graduating in 2011. She has skills in several industries, including banking, most recently adding Healthcare to her career. Robin enjoys baking, spending time with her family and painting. We are happy to have her valuable talents as part of our Advance Physical Therapy team.