OUR TEAM
We strive to help people restore motion, optimize strength, prevent injury and enhance life.
Jeff Cooper, MPT
Master of Physical Therapy
Jeff Cooper, PT moved to the Conejo Valley in 1976, attending elementary through high school in Westlake Village. Always fascinated with human behavior and brain function, he graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Interested in fitness, athletics, and wellness, he pursued his master’s degree in physical therapy graduating with honors from California State University, Northridge. Jeff and his family live in Moorpark. He has four amazing children, three loving dogs, two cats and a wonderful wife. Jeff has been in the physical therapy industry for over 25 years working in environments spanning aquatic therapy to in-patient rehabilitation; but he has spent most of his career in out-patient orthopedics treating men and women of all ages. Jeff not only understands physical therapy from a physical therapist perspective, but also as a patient recovering from various injuries. He was very active in martial arts, basketball, long distance running and numerous other sports. Jeff has been the leader of Recooperation Physical Therapy in Newbury Park since 2011 and has one very specific business model: “THE PATIENT COMES FIRST.” Jeff is the owner of Recooperation Physical Therapy and is also in the clinic passionately treating a variety of patients from seniors to working class individuals to weekend warriors to university and high school athletes. Let Jeff Cooper’s knowledge and years of experience help you recuperate from your injuries!
Gillian Lillich, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Gillian is a Camarillo native who after graduating from Adolfo Camarillo High School (’01) received her BS in Exercise Science/Kinesiology from CSU Bakersfield. While playing basketball at CSUB she had two knee injuries that required ACL reconstructions.
As a Kinesiology major and member of the women’s basketball team, her interest in sport, fitness, and injury led her to pursue her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of the Pacific (’09). Upon graduating from UOP, Gillian has been a physical therapist in the Ventura County area for over 13 years and has continued to perfect her skills through her own experience, that of her colleagues, and numerous continuing education courses. Gillian has continued her formal education by taking courses in Maitland based manual therapy, Kinesiotaping, and Evidence Supported Treatment of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction.
In her free time, Gillian can be found at the gym lifting weights and/or doing boot camps/boxing classes with her twin sister Courtney. She also enjoys doing trail runs that help her train for Spartan Races.
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Rachel Nygren, DPT, OCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Rachel is a Conejo Valley native who graduated from Westlake High School. She then headed out to Indiana University and received a BS in Marketing. She also spent a semester in Spain, earning a minor in Spanish.
After working for a marketing firm for 3 years in Milwaukee, WI she decided to completely change careers and pursue physical therapy. She moved home to California and attended USC where she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Since graduating in 2008, she has worked in many different settings including home health and pediatrics, with the majority of her time spent in outpatient orthopedics. She stays up to date with current evidence through continuing education classes, and in 2016 became an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS).
On weekends you can find her at the baseball or soccer field watching her kids’ games, or in her kitchen making sourdough bread. She also likes hiking our local trails, trying new restaurants, and playing at the beach with her family.
Kari Esseff
Head Physical Therapist Aide
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Kari resides in Moorpark and attended Moorpark High School (’19). She received her AA in Kinesiology from Moorpark College as well as her Departmental Honors B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of La Verne (’23). Kari has played sports her whole childhood, first as a softball player for about 13 years as a pitcher as well as acquired a huge passion for volleyball. She was a full-time student-athlete throughout her college career. She played indoor and beach volleyball as a Raider at Moorpark College before transferring to the University of La Verne to continue playing her last two seasons as a Leopard. Kari plans on attending graduate school to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Azusa Pacific University starting in January 2025.
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In her free time, Kari loves playing volleyball and working out. She also enjoys attending country concerts with her friends and going line dancing as a hobby.
Courtney Lillich, DPT, ATC, CSCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Courtney is a California native who after graduating from Adolfo Camarillo High School (01’) received her BS in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine/Kinesiology in the Athletic Training Department from Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks where she gained her Athletic Training Certification (ATC). She was extremely active with weight training and played on the basketball team her first 2 years there.
Following her ATC and love for anything active or sports related, this peaked her interest even further in sport injuries and rehab thus leading to pursuing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University (09’) and graduating the same time as her twin sister, Gillian (also a DPT here!). Upon graduating from Chapman University, Courtney has been a physical therapist in Ventura County for over 13 years and has continued to perfect her skills through her own experience, that of her colleagues and con ed courses for both her DPT and ATC certifications. Courses include Maitland based manual therapy, kinesiotaping and evidence supported treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction.
In her free time Courtney is usually found somewhere that requires movement such as weight training and prepping for her body building competitions, obstacle course races, trail runs or boxing/bootcamp workouts. Being a type 1 insulin dependent diabetic, she is dedicated to showing other diabetics that you can live a very active lifestyle and not be restricted to poor health and eating habits.
Matthew Mongiello
Physical Therapist Aide
Matthew was born and raised in Thousand Oaks, California. Matthew has always enjoyed participating in sports including baseball, track, and cross country. He graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in 2022. He is currently attending Moorpark College and working towards receiving his degree in Kinesiology. His ultimate plan is to pursue a future in physical therapy where he can utilize his passion for fitness and helping people.
In his spare time, Matthew enjoys hiking, fishing, surfing, and going to the gym.
Ethan LaSala
Physical Therapist Aide
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Ethan is a 22-year-old resident of the 805. He attended Thousand Oaks High School (‘19) and then enrolled at Moorpark College, where he received three AA degrees in Psychology, Humanities, and Social Sciences as well as obtaining his EMT-B license. He furthered his education at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix Arizona, where he received his B.S. in Applied Management (‘22). Ethan plans on one day becoming a firefighter, where he can continue to use the knowledge gained as a physical therapist aide, to strengthen and develop his skills in serving and helping others.
On the weekends you can find him participating in social activities such as pickle ball and spike ball, reading theology, and writing songs on the guitar.
Damian Veronica
Physical Therapist Aide
Damian resides in Port Hueneme and attended Hueneme High School (‘16). He received his AA in Kinesiology from Oxnard College in (‘23). Damian has been a violinist/musician since he was 13. He started playing mariachi for his high school his freshman year and his last year was elected the President of Mariachi De Mi Tierra. Since 2016 he has played all over Ventura County for weddings/birthdays etc. Damian plans to finish his bachelor's and attend Physical Therapy school in the near future.
Caitlin O'Keeffe
Physical Therapist Aide
Caitlin was born in Singapore but was raised mostly in Thousand Oaks. She went to Newbury Park High School and graduated in the Class of ’22. She trained as a dancer at a local dance studio and competed for the Newbury Park High School Dance Team in her junior and senior year of high school. She currently is enrolled at Pepperdine University and working towards her bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine. She has a lot of shadowing experience and worked as a volunteer at Los Robles Hospital for a year.
During her free time, she likes to run, swim, and continue her passion of dancing.
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Tyler Ngo
Physical Therapist Aide
Tyler is a native Newbury Park resident, born and raised until attending Moorpark College during the pandemic where he received his Associate's Degree in Psychology. He then transferred to UC San Diego to complete his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Biology. Throughout college, he was on the Pre-Physician Assistant route, obtaining a role as a medical assistant following graduation in 2023. A year and a half later is when he decided to make a switch into Physical Therapy as a potential career which he overall believes aligned better with his values and how he wants to treat and communicate with patients. Tyler is planning on returning back to school for his DPT in the near future!
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In his free time, he loves listening to music as well as playing video games, do escape rooms, enjoy delicious food, and roam around the city with his closest friends.
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Brandy Haggard
Biller / Receptionist
Brandy is our new medical biller and has been with the office now for five months. She resides in Oxnard where she is raising her blended family of four kids. Brandy loves learning and believes education is a valuable asset.
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She is a determined individual and after putting her own education on hold to be with family, she returned to school and completed an AS in Business Management. Along with this, Brandy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the medical field. She spent the early part of her medical career at humble beginnings in a small practice as a records clerk. She excelled, and year after year proved her worth and earned her way through promotions to Office Manager.
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Brandy later wanted to expand her experience and went to work for a physical therapy office. From there she learned all about the work comp authorization process. She spent three years learning the ins and outs, and we are happy to have her as a part of our team to help us also extend our reach into work comp.
Besides this, Brandy has a passion for nails. So much so that she plans on again returning to school and hopefully becoming a licensed nail tech. Her desire is to one day turn her manicure hobby into a nice little side hustle.
Venessa Gillett
Receptionist
Venessa was born and raised in Colorado and went to North High School in Denver. She is a mother of 7 children, they range from ages 18 to 34. Venessa moved to Thousand Oaks, California in November 2013 and married to Jack (my soulmate) in June of 2020. She has been in the Medical Field since 1996 and enjoys working with patients and coworkers. Her husband and she restored a 1958 Dragster, which took them a couple of years. She has her 2 daughters living with them, her 26 year old who works at the hospital and her 18 year old will graduate High School this year. In her free time, Venessa enjoys going to the races, cooking, and being outdoors spending time with her family and friends. She says it's nice being part of this group.
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