Dr. Debbie Reeves

PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

I grew up in Malibu, California, where the outdoors was my playground and movement was simply a way of life. I spent my childhood in the ocean, running the hills around Malibu, and playing tennis, beach volleyball, and surfing — experiences that sparked a lifelong love for staying active and understanding how the body moves and performs. That passion carried into adulthood, where I’ve completed five marathons, twelve half-marathons, and dozens of 10K races.

After graduating from Cal State Northridge with degrees in Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, I began my career at the Centinela Hospital Fitness Institute, where I had the opportunity to work with professional athletes from organizations including the Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, Rams, and both the PGA and Senior PGA Tours. I later worked at Northridge Hospital Medical Center and spent several years as a traveling physical therapist before settling in Santa Clarita. During my time at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, I was honored to receive Employee of the Year for the entire hospital before transitioning into the outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine setting after starting my family.

With over 30 years of experience in outpatient orthopedics and more than 150,000 patient treatments, I remain committed to continuing to learn, grow, and expand my clinical skill set in order to best serve my patients. I’m grateful to be part of the Next Level Physical Therapy team at this stage in my career and to continue helping individuals return to the activities that bring purpose, confidence, and joy to their lives.

Throughout my career, I have held several leadership roles that have shaped my clinical and operational experience. From 1989–1995, I served as the Head Exercise Physiologist at Centinela Hospital’s Fitness Institute, where I worked alongside multidisciplinary teams supporting both general and athletic populations.

As part of the founding group of an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy practice, I helped open the organization’s second office and supported its growth to 11 locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area. More recently, I served as Assistant Director of the Burbank office from 2021–2023, during which time our clinic became the busiest, most productive, and most profitable among the 11 offices.

I have completed advanced certifications in Menopause Coaching, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Prenatal and Postnatal Care, Neuroscience, Somatic Therapy, and Sport-Specific Training, among others. In 2025, I returned to school to earn my Doctorate in Physical Therapy to further expand my clinical knowledge and better serve my patients.

While many of my peers from earlier in my career are now retiring, I remain deeply committed to continued learning, growth, and professional challenge so that I can consistently bring the highest level of care to those I serve.

Favorite Quote

“Strength isn’t about proving anything to anyone. It’s about preparing for the life you’re called to live.” – Debbie Reeves

Core Values

Trust / Authenticity / Peace / TAP.
Integrity
Respect
Empowerment
Curiosity
Play
Growth
Humor
Kindness
Leadership
Love
Loyalty

Favorites



Friends

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"Good Hang" with Amy Poehler

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Motivation Manifesto

What do you do for the company?

I bring extensive clinical experience, leadership, and professional development to support both patient care and team growth within the organization. With over 20 years of experience contributing to the expansion and success of multidisciplinary outpatient practices, I enjoy helping both individuals and teams reach their next level of performance.

Clinically, I specialize in sports medicine and outpatient orthopedics, with advanced training in menopause care and pelvic floor physical therapy. In an era of increasing medical specialization, I also bring a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to care — addressing not only physical impairments, but the behavioral and lifestyle factors that influence recovery, resilience, and long-term function.

Something patients have to deal with that you want to fix?

One of the biggest challenges I see patients face is the belief that pain, stiffness, or loss of function is simply an inevitable part of aging. When people are told their symptoms are “just arthritis” or “just getting older,” it can create limiting expectations about what their body is capable of doing — which often impacts how they move, participate in activity, and recover.

Having worked with professional and Olympic-level athletes, I’ve seen firsthand that physical outcomes are closely tied to mindset. These athletes consistently train with a focus on what is possible — sometimes even what feels impossible — and their bodies often follow that expectation. I aim to help patients apply that same principle by shifting from fear or limitation toward realistic confidence in their body’s adaptability, allowing them to move with greater strength, stability, and function.

Conditions You Enjoy Treating

I particularly enjoy working with patients who aren’t progressing as expected — those cases where traditional treatment has been focused primarily on the area of pain, and a broader perspective may be needed. I value opportunities to collaborate with physicians when a patient’s presentation is complex and a more integrative, problem-solving approach may help move them forward.

It’s especially rewarding to support individuals who may need both clinical guidance and advocacy — helping them better understand their condition, align with realistic expectations, and take an active role in what they can do outside of therapy to optimize their outcomes. Often, progress begins when patients feel heard, supported, and empowered to participate in their own recovery.

What do you like about working here?

What initially drew me to Next Level Physical Therapy was its unique business model. It’s one of the few environments I’ve experienced that truly bridges the gap between where traditional physical therapy ends and the safe, progressive return to strength, sport, or activity begins. That continuity helps patients transition with confidence back to doing what they love.

I also genuinely enjoy working with a team that is committed to learning, growth, and bringing their best to patient care each day. Ami and Mike have created an environment that balances positivity, motivation, and fun with a strong work ethic and high expectations — which ultimately benefits both the team and the patients we serve.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

First and foremost, I love being with my family, friends, and working out. Anything where I am outdoors, hiking, swimming/surfing/paddleboarding in the ocean, playing beach volleyball, or just hanging out talking with my “peeps” makes me so happy.

Less enjoyable, but fulfilling, is the time I am investing in creating resources, online courses, and books that expand the scope of helping people thrive in life. Because of this, my days off are often busier than my work days.

As a professional stuntwoman with over 40 years of experience, I’ve sustained more injuries than I can count and to nearly every part of my body. I’ve undergone multiple surgeries and have spent a significant amount of time in physical therapy throughout my career.

What makes Debbie Reeves truly exceptional is her ability to treat the body as an integrated whole. She understands that when one area is out of alignment or injured, it affects everything else. Her approach is never one size fits all she works with precision, intuition, and deep knowledge to target exactly what’s needed to bring relief and restore full-body function.

In fact, her understanding of the human body far exceeds that of many doctors and even surgeons I’ve worked with over the years. Her care has been instrumental in helping me recover, perform, and continue doing the work I love.

She is also extremely caring and attentive. After each session, I leave feeling a noticeable sense of relief physically and mentally. Her work has not only helped me recover from complex injuries, but has allowed me to avoid additional surgeries altogether.

In short, she is a miracle worker. Her skill, compassion, and dedication are rare, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be in her care. She truly makes a difference and truly cares.

I first came to Dr. Reeves with persistent left knee pain that was greatly limiting my life. Stairs at home felt like a chore, I had to give up pickleball and Zumba, and even walks with my husband and our puppy became rare. Movement—which had always been a joyful part of my life—was suddenly something I avoided.

Right from the start, Dr. Reeves looked deeper and believed the issue stemmed from my right hip, where I had labrum tear repair surgery in 2020. Her confidence, patience, and encouragement immediately reassured me. I always appreciated the way she explained her thoughts and approach as she worked with me—it made me feel like a true partner in my own healing. Beyond her skill, I found her to be a deeply caring person.

During this time, she also invited me to join a menopause group she was starting, as her focus was expanding to include “the core of the floor” (pelvic floor health). Those weekly gatherings became a gift. Dr. Reeves came prepared with thoughtful agendas and presentations, and the group provided a safe, supportive space where women could speak openly. With my mom gone, I especially appreciated the wisdom and camaraderie of the women in that room.

Somewhere along the way—while working with Dr. Reeves on my knee and hip and attending the menopause group—something shifted. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but the pain eased. Now, I can go up and down the stairs as often as I like. I’m back to walking the dog with my husband several times a week. My quality of life has improved tremendously.

It may seem counterintuitive that movement is what the body needs even when it hurts, but Dr. Reeves helped me trust the process. I am profoundly grateful to her—for her expertise, her compassion, and for helping me get my life back.

Debbie is an outstanding Physical Therapist. She has been my PT for many concerns, but most recently for my shoulder rehab after rotator cuff surgery. Debbie is incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate. She listens to your concerns and problem solves with you to achieve your goals. With a thoughtful, whole-body approach to her therapy, she genuinely cares about your overall well-being. Debbie is a life long learner and she will go above and beyond to support your rehab. I highly recommend Debbie as your Physical Therapist.