Mental Health Physical Therapist Podcast

Physical therapy is rapidly evolving, and mental health may be one of the profession's most important frontiers.

In this episode of the Mental Health Physical Therapist Podcast, co-hosts Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, and Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT, explore the emerging role of physical therapists in mental health care and what this shift could mean for patients, clinicians, and health systems.

Joe and Jeremy discuss what makes mental health physical therapy distinct, why movement and physical activity are powerful tools for supporting mental and physical well-being, and how physical therapists are uniquely positioned to work at the intersection of physical health, mental health, pain, disability, and behavior change.

They also examine some of healthcare's most pressing challenges, including fragmented care, chronic disease, persistent pain, and limited access to mental health services, and consider how physical therapists can contribute to more integrated, whole-person models of care.

Finally, they look ahead at what must happen for mental health physical therapy to advance in the United States, from professional competencies and education to research, clinical practice, and greater recognition across the healthcare system.

This conversation offers a vision for a broader future of physical therapy, one where supporting mental health is recognized as an essential part of helping people move, function, participate, and thrive.

Visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com for CEU training in mental health physical therapy.

Thank you for listening,

Joe Tatta, PT, DPT

In this episode, Dr. Joe Tatta and Dr. Jeremy Fletcher explore their personal journeys in the field of physical therapy, particularly focusing on the integration of mental health into their practice. They discuss the evolution of their understanding of suffering and the need for a holistic approach to patient care. The conversation highlights the significance of personal experiences in shaping their professional identities and the ongoing challenges within the healthcare system. They explore the intersection of physical therapy and mental health, discussing the importance of navigating tension in therapeutic relationships, the role of co-regulation, and the need for competencies in mental health within the physical therapy profession. They emphasize the significance of a holistic approach that integrates mind and body, aiming to improve overall health outcomes for patients. The discussion also highlights the evolving landscape of physical therapy education and practice, advocating for a future where mental health is a core concern for all physical therapists.

Visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com for CEU training in mental health physical therapy.

Thank you for listening,

Joe Tatta, PT, DPT

In this episode, Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT, explores how physical therapists can move beyond fear-based screening and embrace whole-person care for people with pain and mental health conditions. Discover practical strategies to build confidence, expand your clinical impact, and transform caution into compassionate, evidence-informed practice that truly changes lives. Visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com for CEU training in mental health physical therapy.

Thank you for listening,

Joe Tatta, PT, DPT

In this episode, we explore the growing integration of mental health into physical therapy with Moisés Magos, a physiotherapist and founder of the Journal of Physiotherapy in Mental Health. Drawing on over a decade of experience working with vulnerable populations—including individuals impacted by trauma, addiction, and displacement—Moisés shares the clinical and systemic gaps that led to the creation of the journal.

The conversation highlights a critical shift in the profession: recognizing that mental health is not separate from physical rehabilitation, but deeply intertwined with patient outcomes. We discuss how traditional biomedical models often fall short in addressing the complexity of chronic pain and recovery, and why a more holistic, biopsychosocial approach is essential for modern practice.

Moisés offers a compelling perspective on the unique role physical therapists play in mental health care, emphasizing the power of movement, embodiment, and therapeutic alliance as tools for psychological and physical healing. He also explains how the journal serves as a global platform to elevate research, amplify diverse voices, and foster international collaboration across disciplines. Learn more about the Journal of Physiotherapy in Mental Health here https://jptmh.com/index.php/jptmh/index

Visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com for CEU training in integrative, psychologically informed care for physical therapists and other practitioners.

Thank you for listening,

Joe Tatta, PT, DPT

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, speaks with Sarah Conover, PT, MHS, CHC, a vestibular therapist with a background in treating conditions related to anxiety, dizziness, and pain. Sarah shared her journey, starting from her early career in the late 1980s, working in acute neuro care, to her current practice, which focuses on chronic vestibular issues. She highlighted the evolution of vestibular therapy and the increasing recognition of conditions like vestibular migraine, 3PD (persistent postural perceptual dizziness), and Mal de Débarquement syndrome.

We delved into the intricate connections between the vestibular system and mental health, discussing how dizziness can trigger anxiety and other autonomic responses due to the close interplay between the vestibular system, the autonomic nervous system, and brain structures like the amygdala and hypothalamus. Sarah emphasized the importance of a holistic approach in treatment, incorporating mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies to help patients manage their symptoms.

Sarah also shared her personal journey with anxiety and how it has influenced her practice. She employs a range of tools, including mindfulness practices, thought reframing, and expressive writing, to assist her patients in developing a sense of safety and acceptance regarding their symptoms. We also touched on the role of spirituality in healing, with Sarah explaining how she gently explores this aspect with her patients to support their overall well-being.

To learn more about Sarah's work, visit her at dizzycoach.com

Visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com for more information and CEU courses on pain and mental health for physical therapists.

Thank you for listening,

Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO, Integrative Pain Science Institute

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, speaks with Dr. Sarah Case-Morris, assistant professor at the University of Michigan–Flint, to explore how mental health, pain science, and health and wellness promotion are being woven into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Dr. Case-Morris shares her inspiring journey from teaching assistant to shaping the next generation of PTs, and we dive into her research on how early-career therapists—trained in the biopsychosocial model—approach pain and mental health differently than those rooted in a more traditional biomedical lens.

We also talk about the real-world challenges of implementing clinical practice guidelines, especially when it comes to screening for psychosocial risk factors in back pain. Sarah gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how she's integrating pain science, mental health, and health and wellness into her teaching—right as CAPTE requirements are evolving to highlight the mental, psychological, and emotional dimensions of health.

This is an important conversation about the future of physical therapy education and how preparing students with a whole-person approach can change the way we care for individuals and communities.

For more information, visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com

For CEU courses on pain and mental health, visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course/

Thank you for listening,

Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO, Integrative Pain Science Institute

In this episode, Dr. Joe Tatta explores the emerging and expanding roles of physical therapists in mental health. The focus of this episode is to identify where PTs are needed, how to approach stakeholders, and how to position yourself as a credible and collaborative provider in integrative mental care settings. Dr. Tatta highlights multiple healthcare environments in need of PTs trained in mental health, including primary care, addiction recovery, pain clinics, psychiatric hospitals, school-based programs, community mental health centers, and digital health platforms.

Listeners learn who decision-makers are—such as medical directors, behavioral health managers, and rehabilitation leads—and how to communicate their value. Dr. Tatta emphasizes using function-focused, psychologically-informed language and demonstrating impact through outcomes like improved pain, mood, and patient satisfaction.

The episode concludes with a call to action: identify one local setting, reach out to one stakeholder, and begin the conversation. PTs are encouraged to step into new roles as resilience-builders, nervous system specialists, and whole-person care providers.

Learn about training as a Mental Health Physical Therapist here.

Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO: Integrative Pain Science Institute

In this episode, we delve into how physical therapists are uniquely positioned to treat trauma. We highlight how trauma—whether physical, emotional, or social—can influence recovery and how physical therapists can play a pivotal role in helping patients feel safe, seen, and supported. Through real-world examples and clinical insights, we demonstrate how simple practices, such as consent before manual care, understanding the nervous system, and recognizing signs of trauma, can transform patient care.

Rather than seeing trauma as a barrier, we reframe it as an opportunity for physical therapists to lead with compassion, confidence, and clinical excellence. This episode offers practical strategies, introduces emerging innovations like psychedelic-assisted therapies, and encourages meaningful collaboration with mental health professionals. If this resonates with you, share it with your colleagues and let us know how you are treating trauma as a physical therapist.

Learn about training as a Mental Health Physical Therapist here.

Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO: Integrative Pain Science Institute

In today's episode, we explore the concept of whole-person mental health delivered by a physical therapist. We explore what whole person health means, its various forms, and how it shapes physical therapist practice. My cohost, Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT, shares his experience with whole person care during his time as a physical therapist on active duty, highlighting the Performance Triad initiative by the U.S. Army, which focused on sleep, activity, and nutrition.

I'll recount key parts of my journey into whole person health, starting with a mindfulness course and later publishing research and delivering integrative and lifestyle medicine interventions for people with chronic pain and co-occurring mental health conditions. We discuss the importance of understanding holistic health, which encompasses physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects, and how these elements interact to influence both physical and mental health outcomes that consider the whole person.

Learn about training in psychologically-informed physical therapy and becoming a Mental Health Physical Therapist here.

Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO: Integrative Pain Science Institute

In this episode, we dive deep into the intriguing intersection of physical therapy and mental health, exploring the often-blurred lines between the two fields. We kick off the discussion by reflecting on a common sentiment expressed by patients: that their physical therapy sessions feel akin to psychotherapy. This leads us to consider the role of physical therapists in addressing mental and behavioral health issues, and the importance of understanding our scope of practice in this area.

Learn about training as a Mental Health Physical Therapist here.

This episode also outlines three key scopes relevant to physical therapy: the professional scope defined by the American Physical Therapy Association, the jurisdictional scope determined by state practice acts, and the personal scope that each therapist develops through education and experience. We provide insights into the APTA's Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, which outlines a physical therapist's responsibilities in managing conditions that encompass biopsychosocial factors, including mental health.

Thank you for listening, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT CEO: Integrative Pain Science Institute