PTA+ Physical Therapist Assistant

What if something as simple as where you stand in a treatment room, how you explain an intervention, or the way you ask for consent could completely change a patient's experience?

Trauma-informed care is an essential consideration in physical therapy, yet many clinicians may not realize how everyday interactions can affect patients with a history of trauma.

In this episode of the PTA+ Podcast, host Katie Sutton connects with Dr. Becky Parr at the APTA Education Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, to explore what trauma-informed care really means for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and the next generation of clinicians.

Dr. Parr is an assistant professor at the University of Dayton and owner of Resilience Physical Therapy. With more than 15 years of clinical experience, including extensive work in pelvic health, she brings a unique perspective to the importance of patient autonomy, informed consent, and compassionate care.

Together, Katie and Dr. Parr discuss why trauma-informed care should be approached as a universal precaution, how clinicians can avoid unintentionally re-traumatizing patients, and why self-compassion is an important skill for healthcare professionals.

They also explore Dr. Parr's work incorporating trauma-informed care and self-compassion training into physical therapy education.

Understanding Trauma-Informed Care

Why clinicians should recognize the prevalence of trauma and approach every patient interaction with awareness and compassion.

Creating Safer Patient Experiences

How language, positioning, physical touch, and communication can influence patient trust and comfort.

The Importance of Patient Autonomy

Why offering patients meaningful choices can help them become active participants in their rehabilitation.

Informed Consent Is an Ongoing Process

Why obtaining consent means more than asking a patient if a treatment is okay.

Self-Compassion for Clinicians

How mindfulness and self-compassion can help healthcare professionals manage challenging clinical experiences and the emotional demands of patient care.

Preparing Future PTs and PTAs

What trauma-informed education and simulation training can teach students about providing compassionate, patient-centered care.

Before beginning a hands-on intervention:

1. Explain what you're planning to do.
2. Tell the patient why the intervention is being recommended.
3. Ask permission before initiating physical contact.
4. Offer meaningful choices whenever possible.
5. Remind the patient that they can ask questions, pause, or withdraw consent.

Small changes in communication can help create more respectful, collaborative treatment experiences.

Dr. Becky Parr

Assistant Professor, University of Dayton

Owner, Resilience Physical Therapy

Dr. Parr has more than 15 years of experience as a physical therapist, with extensive clinical work in pelvic health.

Her educational and research interests include trauma-informed care, self-compassion, mindfulness, and preparing future clinicians to provide compassionate patient-centered treatment.

SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Care Resources

Explore the six guiding principles of trauma-informed care discussed during the episode.

SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/

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Because better conversations can lead to better patient experiences.

What happens when doing the right thing isn't always obvious?

In this episode of PTA+, Katie Sutton welcomes Shannon Dudash, Hillary Markle, and Josh Halfpap for a conversation recorded at the APTA Educational Leadership Conference about ethical challenges facing PTs, PTAs, students, and clinical educators.

The discussion explores the APTA Code of Ethics, the difference between professionalism and ethical conduct, the RIPS ethical decision-making model, and the challenges of maintaining professional boundaries in an increasingly connected world.

Whether you're a PTA student, clinical instructor, director of clinical education, or practicing clinician, this episode offers practical perspectives on how to recognize ethical concerns, communicate effectively, and prioritize patient well-being.

• Know the standards. Understand how professional expectations and enforceable ethical standards differ.
• Recognize gray areas. Social media relationships and clinical education dynamics can create complicated professional boundaries.
• Use a framework. The RIPS model helps clinicians consider patients, students, organizations, and competing responsibilities.
• Communicate early. Clinical instructors and students should reach out to their DCE, SCCE, or other appropriate support when concerns arise.
• Put patients first. Patient dignity, safety, and professional responsibility should guide ethical decisions.
• Speak up. Don't wait until an uncomfortable situation becomes a larger problem.

"Be better than seated exercises."

"Have high expectations of your coworkers."

The guests remind listeners that the profession has an opportunity to elevate ethical standards through accountability, collaboration, and clear boundaries.

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Partner and affiliate links help support PTA+.

Have you encountered an ethical gray area during a clinical rotation or in your professional practice? Share your experience with the PTA+ community.

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Your License Is Local, Your Profession Is Global: World Physiotherapy at APTA ELC

Live from the APTA Educational Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, PTA Plus discusses how international collaboration can strengthen physical therapy education and patient care with World Physiotherapy’s Ann Nicholson and David Fathalikhani. They explain World Physiotherapy as the global connector and voice for the profession, representing 129 member organizations, and note that APTA members already have access through their APTA number, including regional and specialty group resources like webinars and continuing education.

The conversation highlights shared global challenges such as direct access, education standards, scope of practice, regulation, payment systems, and health system roles, and emphasizes learning from different perspectives. They preview the World Physiotherapy Congress in May 2027 in Guadalajara, Mexico, featuring global networking, structured sessions, and offsite clinical experiences, and discuss language support. They encourage PTs and PTAs to engage globally, citing efforts to establish the profession in regions like Central Asia, including graduating the first PT class in Tajikistan.

00:00 Sponsor Message

00:44 Why Go Global

01:36 What World Physio Does

04:02 Shared Global Challenges

06:22 How Programs Get Involved

08:48 Why Congress Matters

11:58 Language and Communication

13:02 PTA Role Worldwide

14:19 Success Stories and Get Connected

16:32 Plus Point Closing Thoughts

19:20 Wrap Up and Disclaimer

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-g-nicholson-pt-dpt-msc-b75699aa/?isSelfProfile=false 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-fathalikhani/?isSelfProfile=false

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Dillinger Carr didn’t approach the NPTE with the goal of simply getting through it. He decided to see how close he could get to the highest achievable score—and earned an 800.

But this conversation isn’t really about chasing a number.

It’s about what happens when students stop relying on passive studying and start building systems designed for retention, application, and long-term clinical growth.

Dillinger, a practicing PTA and student physical therapist, joins Katie Sutton to share how he used practice exams, active recall, flashcards, the 80/20 rule, and spaced review to prepare for the NPTE.

He explains why simply rereading a massive board-prep textbook wasn’t part of his strategy, and why every missed practice question became an opportunity to uncover multiple knowledge gaps.

The conversation then moves beyond board preparation.

Dillinger shares how he continues using the same system as a practicing clinician: recognizing something he doesn’t understand, researching it, turning it into something he can actively recall, and revisiting it over time.

Katie and Dillinger also explore the PTA-to-DPT decision, including one of the most important questions PTAs should consider before returning to school:

What do you actually want from the additional education?

They discuss tuition, lost income while attending school, scholarships, return on investment, professional responsibility, career goals, and why the DPT pathway may make sense for one PTA while being completely unnecessary for another.

And in the episode’s Plus Point, Dillinger makes the case that continued learning can do more than improve clinical skill—it may also help protect clinicians from burnout by keeping the work challenging, engaging, and meaningful.

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What does a physical therapist assistant have to do with the business success of a physical therapy practice?

More than you might think.

On this episode of PTA+, Katie sits down with Paul Martin, founder and president of Martin Healthcare Advisors, for a conversation about the side of physical therapy many clinicians never learn in school: the business behind patient care.

Paul has spent decades helping rehabilitation businesses grow, improve operations, build value, and navigate partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. Together, Katie and Paul explore where PTAs fit into that picture, and why the PT/PTA relationship can influence far more than treatment delivery.

They discuss how well-designed PT/PTA teams can improve capacity and patient access, why every clinician should understand the business environment in which they practice, and how metrics, reimbursement, billing, leadership, and culture connect to the health of a practice.

Paul also explains what makes a physical therapy business valuable and why sustainable growth requires more than adding locations or seeing more patients. Strong leadership, staff alignment, recruiting, retention, and developing future clinicians all matter.

Katie and Paul also explore one of the most overlooked recruiting tools available to PT practices: clinical education. A great student experience isn't simply an educational responsibility, it can help build culture, develop future clinicians, and create a recruiting pipeline.

If you've ever thought, “I just treat patients—the business side isn't my job,” this conversation may change how you see your role.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• PTAs can play an important role in practice capacity and productivity.

• Successful PT/PTA integration requires intentional communication and teamwork.

• Clinicians have a clinical role and a business role within their organizations.

• Understanding payer behavior and appropriate billing helps clinicians understand the economics behind care.

• Growing too quickly without protecting patient access can cost practices referrals and reputation.

• Growth, cash flow, and leadership all contribute to practice value.

• Recruiting clinicians isn't enough; onboarding, development, relationships, and culture affect retention.

• Well-run clinical internships can become powerful recruiting and culture-building opportunities.

• PTAs can contribute to leadership and business success without abandoning their clinical identity.

CONNECT WITH PAUL

Email[email protected]

Phone Number(609) 760-6056

Social Media Channels

https://www.facebook.com/martinhealthcareadvisors/   

https://www.linkedin.com/company/1049109/admin/dashboard/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmartinsview/.    

 https://www.youtube.com/@martinhealthcareadvisors   

Website: www.martinhealthcareadvisors.com

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ABOUT PTA+

PTA+ explores the people, ideas, opportunities, and conversations shaping the future of physical therapist assistants. The goal is simple: help PTAs think beyond the title and recognize the impact they can have in clinical practice, leadership, education, business, and the profession.

Many clinicians believe burnout is the biggest reason PTs and PTAs leave the profession, but Ben Keeton argues the real issue is something deeper.

In this episode, Ben shares why career longevity depends on mentorship, leadership, self-efficacy, and creating opportunities that give clinicians greater control over their time, income, and purpose.

Katie and Ben also discuss:

• Creating careers that last 30 years
• Why mentorship matters early
• Leadership beyond job titles
• Why PTAs are uniquely positioned to lead
• Clinical expertise versus leadership
• Followership and team culture
• AI in rehabilitation
• Cash-based innovation
• Building organizations people never want to leave

The Jackson Clinics:

• The Jackson Clinics: https://thejacksonclinics.com
• TJC Concierge: https://tjcconcierge.com
• The Jackson Clinics:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejacksonclinics
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksonclinics/?hl=en
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejacksonclinics
• Ben Keeton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-keeton-983a6814/

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Not every successful PTA follows a straight path.

In this episode, Katie Sutton welcomes Abby Anderson to discuss how curiosity, lifelong learning, and leadership created a career that spans fitness, Pilates, pelvic health, advocacy, and clinical practice.

Abby shares how each career experience prepared her for the next—and why PTAs shouldn't feel pressured to fit inside a single job description.

They discuss:

• Following curiosity instead of rigid career plans
• Investing in certifications and lifelong learning
• Building confidence through leadership
• Why pelvic health needs more PTAs
• The importance of mentorship
• PT/PTA collaboration
• Creating a career that evolves with your life

If you've ever questioned whether your PTA career has to look like everyone else's, this episode will remind you that your license creates possibilities—not limits.

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What happens when you simply keep saying "yes"?

Katie Sutton welcomes Rachel Winthrop, PTA, to discuss an incredible professional journey filled with leadership, advocacy, service, and a passion for helping others.

Rachel shares how volunteering through APTA and Special Olympics Healthy Athletes expanded her career while reminding her why she became a PTA in the first place.

Whether you're looking for new career inspiration or searching for meaningful ways to serve your community, this episode demonstrates how physical therapy reaches far beyond the clinic.

• Building a diverse VA career
• Leadership through APTA
• Parkinson's disease programming
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Amputee care
• Healthy Athletes
• Special Olympics volunteer opportunities
• https://www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/inclusive-health/my-health/funfitness
• https://www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/inclusive-health/healthy-athletes
• Why volunteering improves clinical practice
• Movement is Medicine
• Rachel's advice for every PTA
• Other Links:
• https://www.ohioseniorolympics.com/
• https://engage.apta.org/home

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Practice management software designed for rehab professionals.

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In this episode of the PTA+ Podcast, recorded live at CSM, we sit down with Marc Crawford, PT and educator, to discuss the evolving role of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in today’s profession.

Marc shares insights from his experience in PTA education, clinical practice, and research, highlighting why PTAs must actively participate in conferences like CSM to stay relevant, build connections, and grow professionally.

We explore the importance of PTA and PT collaboration, lessons from educational research, and practical networking strategies that can elevate your career.

Marc Crawford is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas, where he teaches in the entry-level DPT program. He has extensive experience in private practice, occupational health, and PTA education, with a focus on orthopedic research.

• Why PTAs need a seat at the table in professional settings
• The power of networking at conferences like CSM
• How PTA education is evolving
• Real-world collaboration between PTs and PTAs
• Practical tips for maximizing conference experiences

• PTA+ Website: https://ptaplus.com
• MedBridge (Code: PTA Plus)

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Special Thanks to:

Thanks to US Physical Therapy for hosting PTA+ at CSM.

MedBridge users: Visit ptapluspodcast.com for your exclusive discount code: PTAPLUS

Physical Therapist Assistant education is evolving, and this episode explores exactly how.

Recorded live at CSM, Katie sits down with PTA educators Kelly Terry and Adelle Nicholas to discuss innovative approaches designed to make PTA programs more accessible, flexible, and aligned with real-world student needs.

They break down new program models including decelerated pathways, clinic-based skill validation, and hyflex learning environments, all aimed at supporting working students and expanding access to the profession.

This conversation also highlights a critical issue: PTA shortages in rural communities and how education innovation may be the key to solving it.

If you're a PTA student, educator, or clinician invested in the future of the profession, this episode offers practical insight and a fresh perspective.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why traditional PTA education models are being challenged
• How flexible pathways support working students
• The role of clinicians in early student skill development
• How innovation can help solve PTA workforce shortages
• What the future could look like for PTA → DPT pathways

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LinkedIn (Katie Sutton): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-sutton-0725

Special Thanks to:

Thanks to US Physical Therapy for hosting PTA+ at CSM.

MedBridge users: Visit ptapluspodcast.com for your exclusive discount code: PTAPLUS