OUR TEAM
We strive to help people restore motion, optimize strength, prevent injury and enhance life.
April 2022
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 feral cats and a wonderful wife. Jeff has been in the physical therapy industry for over 20 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. He was very active in martial arts, basketball, long distance running and numerous other sports. Jeff’s injuries plus years of wear and tear on his body led him to having multiple surgeries:
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Right ankle reconstruction surgery on 9/30/2008
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Right inguinal hernia repair on 12/23/2013
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C/S artificial disc replacement at C4-5 on 2/22/22
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Bilateral total hip replacements on 4/6/2022
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 isn’t just the owner of Recooperation Physical Therapy, he is also in the clinic passionately treating a variety of patients from seniors to high school athletes, from working class individuals to weekend warriors. 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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Michelle Florey
Physical Therapist Aide
Michelle is an Agoura Hills native and attended Oaks Christian High School (’17). She received her B.S.Ed. in Health, Kinesiology, & Leisure Studies from Baylor University (’21). She was a part of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and played intramural soccer while attending Baylor. As a Kinesiology major, her love for sports and fitness, has led her to want to pursue a masters degree in Athletic Training in the future.
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In her free time, Michelle can be found in the gym or spending time with family and friends.
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.
Kari Esseff
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 in the near future.
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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 country line dancing as a hobby.
Jackie Kokuashvili
Physical Therapist Aide
She grew up in Sherman Oaks, CA and obtained her BA degree in Music Business from CSU Northridge. In 2015 she completed a 500-hour classical Pilates certification at Whole Body Method University in Los Angeles, CA. She worked as a Pilates Instructor and physical therapy aide for the next 5 years, which inspired her to go after her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, CA where she will soon graduate in August 2024. Jackie is dedicated to helping people reach their greatest potential and strives to motivate others to optimize movement to reach their goals.
In her downtime, Jackie enjoys reading, playing piano, hiking, and Pilates.
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.
Katelyn Garcia
Physical Therapist Aide
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Katelyn Garcia grew up in Newbury Park and graduated from Newbury Park High School in 2021. She is now working on her Associate degree in Kinesiology at Moorpark Community College. In the future, Katelyn plans on getting her doctorate in Physical Therapy. Sports is a big reason Katelyn is interested in Physical Therapy, she played soccer for about 8 years and did track and field in high school.
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In her spare time, Katelyn enjoys reading, hiking, going to the gym and photography.
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 34 to 18. 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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