Our Mission at Ascent Therapy Clinic
- Provide the highest quality of physical therapy and rehabilitation to help our patients live their best lives.
- Our devoted specialists will empower you with the education and tools necessary to live a pain-free life.
- We strive to create an atmosphere that promotes health, healing, and well-being.
Dr. Jeffrey Mills, PT, DPT
Owner
Dr. Mills received his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT) from the University of Miami in 2015. Prior to joining Ascent Therapy Clinic, he was the Director of Physical Therapy for a multi-disciplinary practice with clinics throughout the Denver-Metro area. Dr. Mills emphasizes an extensive hands-on manual therapy approach including dry needling and joint mobilizations in order to address pain and dysfunction. He additionally prescribes specific and individualized therapeutic exercises to correct movement patterns and help each of his patients maximally achieve their goals.
Dr. Mills was an avid athlete and his interest in physical therapy and fitness was evident at a young age. He enjoys an active lifestyle of working out, snowboarding, playing golf and tennis, and traveling. His enthusiasm for physical fitness health inspires him to help his patients return back to their desired lifestyle.
Our Team of Professionals
Dr. Annaleise Lake
Dr. Lake graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine in 2017, and...
Annaleise Lake
Physical Therapist, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Lake graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine in 2017, and from CU Anschutz Medical Campus with a clinical Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2020. She values patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and educating patients on prevention techniques to avoid reinjury. Dr. Lake understands the importance of getting to know a patient as a whole, not just their presenting injury. She creates individualized treatment plans containing manual therapy, dry needling techniques and exercises focused on returning patients back to what they love.
Dr. Lake is a Colorado native and enjoys skiing, hiking, and lifting weights. She grew up dancing and swimming competitively and continues to participate in both. She also enjoys volunteering in her community and educating high school and undergraduate students on the physical therapy profession.
Dr. Steele
Dr. Steele graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2016 from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Tess worked in Colorado for almost 5 years in a variety of hospital and outpatient settings, before leaving for Alaska to work as a travel PT. She is excited to be back in the Rockies working at Ascent Therapy.
Dr. Tess Steele
Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Dr. Steele graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2016 from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Tess worked in Colorado for almost 5 years in a variety of hospital and outpatient settings, before leaving for Alaska to work as a travel PT. She is excited to be back in the Rockies working at Ascent Therapy. Tess’s holistic patient centered approach allows her to provide individualized care to all her patients. She incorporates manual therapy techniques, including Integrative Dry Needling) with exercise and functional movements to address her patients’ pain and dysfunction. Tess has a passion for helping people who have had pain for a long time, and enjoys working together to help them reach their goals.
Originally from Ohio, Tess loves to travel and has a passion for exploring the outdoors. She loves to venture into the mountains, whether it’s hiking, running, backpacking, snowboarding or camping. She also enjoys weight training, yoga and rock climbing.
Dr. Zartman
Dr. Zartman graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Science in 2013, then from Pitt’s DPT program with a clinical Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2016. She gained valuable experience as a travel physical therapist before relocating to Denver to become a clinic director for a local Assisted Living Facility.
Dr. Zartman
Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Dr. Zartman graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Science in 2013, then from Pitt’s DPT program with a clinical Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2016. She gained valuable experience as a travel physical therapist before relocating to Denver to become a clinic director for a local Assisted Living Facility. Dr. Zartman has a passion for older adults and medically complex patients, and is excited to be joining the Ascent Therapy Team. Dr. Zartman uses evidence-based practice to best serve her clients. She creates individualized treatment plans, utilizing manual therapy, endurance and resistance training exercises focused on ensuring patients achieve their individualized goals.
Dr. Zartman enjoys skiing, snowboarding, camping, hiking and all the arts and culture Denver has to offer. She loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. She also enjoys volunteering for the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies.
Arby Arbuthnot
Clinical Assistant
Delaney Peterson
Clinical Assistant
Lauren Cook
Lauren grew up in Chicago, IL and moved to Colorado in 2015. She has worked multiple years in the healthcare industry. Including specialty clinics and family medicine. Most recently, Lauren was a clinic manager for several years at an Urgent Care and Family Medicine clinic. In her free time, Lauren enjoys being outdoors. Whether it’s hiking up in the mountains with her husband, newly welcomed baby daughter and 2 dogs, camping or at a brewery with friends. She also always makes time for cooking up new recipes and baking.
Lauren Cook
Practice Manager
Lauren grew up in Chicago, IL and moved to Colorado in 2015. She has worked multiple years in the healthcare industry. Including specialty clinics and family medicine. Most recently, Lauren was a clinic manager for several years at an Urgent Care and Family Medicine clinic. In her free time, Lauren enjoys being outdoors. Whether it’s hiking up in the mountains with her husband, newly welcomed baby daughter and 2 dogs, camping or at a brewery with friends. She also always makes time for cooking up new recipes and baking.
Dr. Lukas Mehling
Lukas has been treating patients in the Denver area for over 10 years with an emphasis on sports injuries and neck/back pain. After undergoing ACL surgery and rehab playing high school sports, it opened his eyes to a career in physical therapy. He graduated from University of Cincinnati’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2012. Lukas takes pride in making his treatment sessions as warm and welcoming as possible for his patients. In addition, he is a certified specialist in orthopedics and dry needling.
Originally from Columbus Ohio, he followed the sunshine and mountains to Colorado where he met his wife, Catherine. When he is outside of the clinic Lukas enjoys spending time with his wife and young son while exploring the local hiking trails and concerts.
Dr. Lukas Mehling
Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Lukas has been treating patients in the Denver area for over 10 years with an emphasis on sports injuries and neck/back pain. After undergoing ACL surgery and rehab playing high school sports, it opened his eyes to a career in physical therapy. He graduated from University of Cincinnati’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2012. Lukas takes pride in making his treatment sessions as warm and welcoming as possible for his patients. In addition, he is a certified specialist in orthopedics and dry needling.
Originally from Columbus Ohio, he followed the sunshine and mountains to Colorado where he met his wife, Catherine. When he is outside of the clinic Lukas enjoys spending time with his wife and young son while exploring the local hiking trails and concerts.
Start Healing Today!
Our Services
Get In Touch
Ascent Therapy Clinic,
9116 W Bowles Ave, STE 10
Littleton, CO 80123
Mon-Fri: 8:00 - 6:00pm
