Welcome to the practice of mental health physical therapy!

  • Expand your skillset.

  • Address a real and growing patient need.

  • Improve both mental and physical health outcomes.

This certification has 3 components

  • 1. Mental Health Foundations - the knowledge and clinical skills to identify, screen, and address common mental health conditions while appreciating the dynamic interplay between mental and physical well-being. 6 hours are asynchronous (self-paced). 2 hours are live, virtual training. This is 8 hours in total.

  • 2. Mental Health Essential Skills - equip yourself with practical cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and somatic techniques and tools for managing mental health within the scope of your PT practice. 14 hours asynchronous (self-paced). 2 hour live, virtual training. This part of the training is 16 hours in total.

  • 3. Mental Health Mastery - this important component of the certification provides clinicians with experiential learning, where they can directly apply advanced techniques in real or simulated clinical scenarios. The focus is on developing practical skills through guided practice, reflection, and interactive exercises. Each clinician will receive personalized supervision from experienced trainers, ensuring they gain critical feedback and support as they refine their skills in a controlled and supportive environment. This is a live, virtual, one-day training of 8 hours.

Foundational Learning Objectives

  • 1. Apply biobehavioral principles to address the impact of mental health in physical therapy practice.

  • 2. Integrate trauma-informed care principles into physical therapy interventions to enhance patient outcomes.

  • 3. Demonstrate the use of an empathic and relational approach during clinical interactions with patients.

  • 4. Implement components of the stepped care system to structure mental health treatment within your practice.

  • 5. Match appropriate mental health interventions to various patient needs based on the stepped care model.

  • 6. Apply ethical guidelines when delivering psychosocial interventions as a physical therapist in a mental health context.

  • 7. Select and deliver psychosocial interventions that are both acceptable and feasible for physical therapists.

  • 8. Utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques to help patients reduce psychological distress.

  • 9. Incorporate somato-emotional techniques to promote emotional regulation in patients.

  • 10. Design an 8-session psychosocial intervention appropriate for the physical therapist to deliver for individuals or groups experiencing traumatic stress.

It is within the scope of physical therapist practice to screen for and address mental health conditions.- APTA Policy P06-20-40-10

Instructor(s)

Joe Tatta PT, DPT, CNS

Dr. Joe Tatta is the founder of the Integrative Pain Science Institute, a cutting-edge health company reinventing pain care through evidence-based treatment, research, and professional development. His research and career achievements include scalable practice models centered on health behavior change, integrative medicine, and methods that empower physical therapists to serve at the top of their scope of practice as primary providers of healthcare. He is a speaker, author, hosts a podcast, adjunct professor, and guest lecturer in many DPT programs.

Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT, OCS

Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT, OCS, currently serves as the Director of Community Integration for Veterans Recovery Resources, a by-Veteran for Veteran non-profit mental health organization located in Mobile, Alabama.

FAQs

Feel free to get in touch using the 'Support' link in the footer if you don't find the answer to your questions (opens your default email program).

  • Is this program approved for CEUs?

    Yes! This course is approved for 32 CEUs for PTs & PTAs.

  • How long do I have to access or complete the program?

    Registration includes unlimited access. You have as long as you need to complete the program and you can come back to the training as many times as needed.

  • Can I work on the program at my own pace?

    There are both on-demand and live portions of the program. All content is recorded and uploaded to the participant's platform. So if you fall behind there is a way to catch up. We understand you are busy and are here to support your learning!

  • How many hours per week do I have to dedicate to learning?

    This program requires approximately 1-2 hours per week to complete.

  • How is the information presented?

    Lessons are available in a variety of formats to make learning easy and fun, including video, audio, transcripts, study guides, PDF handouts and quizzes.

  • Who can I contact with more questions?

    Send an email to [email protected]. We are here to support you in every way!