Dr. Michelle Friedman, PT, DPT, CAPP-Pelvic, RYT-200
Clinical Director/Owner
Dr. Michelle is the owner of Atlantic Physical Therapy. She graduated Drexel University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2007 with a concentration in orthopedics and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from The George Washington University. She founded Atlantic Physical Therapy in 2015 with a mission to provide high quality holistic care.
Michelle has experience in inpatient settings, outpatient settings, and clinical instruction. She holds certifications in the Graston Technique, the Aligned Flow Yoga Method, and the CAPP certification in pelvic floor physical therapy through the Women’s Health Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. She is interested in integrating a holistic approach to rehabilitating her patients which includes yoga, dietary, and lifestyle changes.
Read Dr. Michelle’s blog posts
Christina Alfieris, PT, DPT
Dr. Christina comes to Atlantic Physical Therapy with multiple years of experience working in outpatient physical therapy. She graduated from New York University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in 2019 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware. She enjoys working with a variety of diagnoses in the outpatient orthopedic setting, but has a passion for pelvic health. As a lover of spinning, running and group fitness classes she is passionate about working with individuals in the athletic population as well.
When she’s not working you can find her exploring Philly neighborhoods and trying new restaurants. She loves cooking, traveling and spending time with her partner Michael and dog Yogi.
Dr. Risha Bhakta, PT, DPT
Dr. Risha is a passionate and dedicated physical therapist who earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Drexel University in the spring of 2025. She also holds a Bachelor of Science from The Pennsylvania State University.
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Risha began her journey in healthcare working in PT clinics throughout LA before making the move to the East Coast to pursue her doctoral studies. Her West Coast roots are still close to her heart – especially her love of sunshine and staying active! When she’s not helping patients move and feel better, you’ll likely find Risha running on the Schuylkill river, at the gym, or playing sports with her PT friends. Off the clock, she enjoys cozy evenings with her cat, sipping tea, watching her favorite shows, and discovering new food spots around the city with college friends.
Dr. Ayana Unwala, PT, DPT
Dr. Ayana joined Atlantic Physical Therapy after graduating from Temple University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in spring of 2025. During her time in the DPT program, Ayana was actively involved in both clinical and academic initiatives. She volunteered at Temple’s North Broad pro bono clinic, served as the head of the Career Fair Committee for her cohort, and contributed to pelvic health research alongside her professor which was later published in the Journal of Women’s and Pelvic Health Physical Therapy.
Originally from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, Ayana spent several years living abroad in Kenya and Indonesia. It was during her time in Indonesia that she had her first encounter with physical therapy and became fascinated by the body’s ability to heal through movement.
When she’s not helping patient’s achieve their goals, you can find Ayana walking along Boathouse Row or soaking up the sun in a nearby park. She enjoys spending time with friends, trying new restaurants and bars, or staying in to binge watch her favorite shows. As a former dancer and lifelong dance enthusiast, Ayana loves watching performances and plans to return to dancing soon. She loves to travel and in 2025 will be completing her goal of visiting 25 countries in 25 years!