About Strive

Striving for excellence in physical and occupational therapy for injuries at work and at play.

What we DO.

Industrial Rehabilitation:
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Hand Therapy
Work Hardening, Work Conditioning, Massage Therapy, Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs)

Strive Physical Rehabilitation offers a broad range of occupational and physical therapy services, including Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs), Work Conditioning, Work Hardening, and Hand Therapy. We also incorporate massage therapy into our client's programs. Strive specializes in the personalized care of injured workers, athletes and personal injury clients. We provide individualized treatment plans, tailored to each client’s unique requirements – in an encouraging and fun environment, challenging each client to succeed in their goals.

Our dedicated team has a passion for industrial rehabilitation and with well over 100 combined years of experience in the field, we are excited about providing quality, evidence-based care in a personalized environment.

Our GOAL.

Our goal is to aid injured workers and our other patients back to their life – at work and at play – in a positive and caring environment.

Who WE are.

We are team of motivated Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, COTAs, PTAs, and incredible office staff. We work together to create positive outcomes for our client's, while supporting one another: sharing ideas, tools, and experiences.

We have fun and our client success, motivates us to keep doing or very best for everyone who walks through our door.

Teri Jo Lientz, DPT, MPT, ATC

Physical Therapist, Owner

Teri Jo is passionate about helping people heal. She is the inspiration and heart behind Strive Physical Rehabilitation. With over 26 years as a Physical Therapist, she has helped hundred's of people get back to their passions: work, fun, and life.

Teri Jo uses her combined skills in manual therapy, sports therapy/athletic training and evidence-based practice to support the injured worker in gaining function, strength, and confidence.

Outside of the Strive clinic, Teri Jo is a board certified Athletic Trainer and assists with her local high school's football and other sports teams, with a focus on concussion protocols.

Teri Jo is involved in the Injured Worker community:

Advisory Committee for Physical Therapy Assistant Program for Olympic College September 2022 to present
Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) Representative for PTWA.
Member of Work Rehabilitation Guideline Subcommittee for L&I-Jan. 2020-present.
Member of Physical Medicine stakeholder work group for L&I - 2017-present.
Northwestern University Physical Therapy Human and Movement Sciences Alumni Board of Directors - April 2016-present.

Teri Jo's education includes:

B.S. in Psychology from the University of Washington, Masters in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Montana.

Brandon Van Escobar, MSOT, OTR/L

Director of Work Rehabilitation Programs
Occupational Therapist

Brandon has been an Occupational Therapist for over 4 years. His clinical experience includes outpatient interventions, work conditioning, work hardening, pediatrics, neuro rehabilitation, and orthopedics.

Brandon finds joy working with others to help them return to work confidently and successfully by developing proper body mechanics, building strength, and increasing endurance.

Brandon has a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy, from University of Puget Sound, 2017.

In his free time he loves to spend time with his wife and family playing cards, watching movies, hiking, and cooking up some mean BBQ. He loves your fur-baby pictures, and has two dogs and a cat of his own.

Rhonda Law, PT

Physical Therapist

Rhonda has over 34 years in the Physical Therapy industry, most people in our area know her as Rhonda Carlson. Her background includes inpatient/outpatient hospital services and outpatient orthopedic clinic work. For 20 years, she was focused on home health rehabilitation services.

Rhonda's education includes:

BA in Physical Therapy from SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse NY 1988
BA in Biology from SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo NY 1985 with a Human Development minor

Rhonda has a passion for overall functional health and wellness post injury, working toward personal and work goals. She enjoys Crossift and has been in the top 10-12% of women in her age group (worldwide) during the Crossfit Games, THREE times!

Dena Larsen, PT

Physical Therapist

Dena has worked as a physical therapist in Washington State since 2009. She has spent time in the skilled nursing and home health settings, but her true love is here, in our outpatient clinical setting.

She specialized in vestibular rehabilitation and earned her certified strength and conditioning specialist certification (CSCS) in 2012. She loves to motivate people to achieve their goals and become more fit allowing them to return to work and whatever they enjoy doing.
Clinical interests include work, cardiac and orthopedic rehabilitation as well as agility, balance and flexibility training for return to sport.

Dena's education includes:

Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of Washington in 2009
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Virginia Tech 1993

Ellen Bass, PT

Physical Therapist

Ellen is passionate about helping people improve their quality of life through injury prevention and wellness. She has been working in outpatient settings since 2012 and is excited to join the Strive team. Ellen’s specialty is pelvic health and she remains passionate about empowering women throughout the different phases of life.
Ellen’s Education Includes:

Manual therapy Certification from University of Saint Augustine for the Health Sciences, 2014
Doctorate in Physical therapy from Saint Augustine University for the Health Sciences, 2012
BS in Human Development and Psychological Services from Northwestern University, 2008 with a minor in Business Institutions

Personally, Ellen enjoys time with her husband and quickly growing 2 kids. As a family they enjoy time outdoors as much as possible paddle boarding, biking, hiking, playing pickle-ball and the occasional basketball game.

Julie Gostin, OTR/L, CHT

Occupational Therapist / Hand Therapist

Julie has been a Washington state resident since 2006, and we are so glad she moved here! Her primary focus has been Hand Therapy. Helping people get their fine motor skills is her passion. Other clinical interests include Gerontology as it relates to hand function.

Julie's education includes:

BA in Occupational Therapy Cum Laude from San Jose State University in 1997
Certified Hand Therapy Certification in 2002

Julie Milasich, OTR/L, CHT

Occupational Therapist / Hand Therapist

Julie has been an Occupational Therapist since 2000, and a Certified Hand Therapist since 2006. She has extensive experience working with traumatic and repetitive strain injuries to the hands and upper extremities.

She has a passion for client education, with a personal goal of helping clients understand their recovery and the sometimes confusing return to work process.

Julie's education includes:

BA in Psychology from University of Puget Sound in 1996
Masters in Occupational Therapy from University of Puget Sound in 1999

Alex Jucal, PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

Alexandra was born and raised in the Philippines and now lives in the area with her husband, three kids, and dog. She started her career as a nursing assistant for 4 years, with a passion for helping others. After enduring an injury, she found a calling to further her study and share the benefits of physical therapy with others.

Alex received her Associates of Applied Science as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Olympic College in 2021.

In her free time, Alexandra enjoys playing legos with her kids, venturing new places in the pacific northwest, practicing martial arts, and paddling with the local outrigger canoeing team.

Sarah Burt, PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

Sarah graduated from Western Washington University in 2008 with a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science.

She started out her career as a PTA in a hospital setting in 2010, and we were fortunate to have her join Strive in 2018. Sarah has a treatment style that combines exercise rehab and manual therapy. She enjoys empowering her patient's with pain management skills and independence.

Born and raised in the PNS, Sarah enjoys cycling and mountain biking, sports, staying active and all things outdoors.

Ryan Edwards, PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

Ryan brings prior experience in outpatient work rehabilitation, where he has developed a deep dedication to helping people overcome their physical limitations. His treatment approach focuses heavily on rehabilitative exercise, with a particular emphasis on improving balance.

His educational background includes a B.S. in Exercise Physiology from BYU-Idaho and an A.A.S. in Physical Therapy from Olympic College. This strong foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of physical therapy has inspired his continual push to learn more and help his patients thrive.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys a variety of hobbies such as recreational fishing, archery, video games, and board games. He is an avid music lover, open to all genres—except country—and always welcomes music recommendations.

DeAnn Sackman, COTA

Certified Occupation Therapy Assistant

DeAnn has been working as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant since 2001. She graduated with honors from Green River Community College with an A.A.S in Occupational Therapy 2001.

She has a varied background working in hand therapy, long term care, and schools. We are excited to have her at Strive!

In her spare time DeAnn enjoys exercising and hiking with friends and her dog. She enjoys sharing Duwamish/Suquamish ancestry and culture creating Native American artwork with cedar. She has worked with the Burke Museum, and MOHAI. DeAnn has artwork on permanent display at the Seattle Symphony and most recently a completed a graphic design project for a gym floor for a Seattle elementary school.

Rebeka Blin, LMP

Licensed Massage Therapist

Rebekah has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2023, after graduating from Tacoma's Alexandar Institute of Natural Therapeutics. She specializes in deep tissue, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and injury treatment.

Born and raised in Kitsap County, Rebekah has a strong background in caregiving and working as a paraeducator before pursuing massage therapy.

In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, arts and crafts, and spending time with her dog, friends, and family.

Cathie Pitts

Office Manager

Cathie has been with Teri Jo and Strive Physical Rehabilitation since the first day we opened. She has experience working in Customer Service and Administrative positions for over 25 years.

She has a passion for helping others and assisting them in anyway she can to help them achieve their goals.

Isha'Lynn Ranada

Admin Assistant / Billing Manager

Isha'Lynn is passionate about patient care. With over a decade of experience in medical office management, she finds joy in being part of each patient's recovery journey and witnessing their progress firsthand.
Outside of work, Isha'Lynn cherishes time with her husband, three children, and three chihuahuas. Whether enjoying tacos (her favorite food), shopping, or singing karaoke with her siblings, she brings her vibrant energy into everything she does.

"An injury is not just a process of recovery
it's a process of discovery.”