The APTA Lecture Series continues with What to Do When They Have Mental Impairments Too! Physical Therapy for Clients With Musculoskeletal Disorders Who Have Co-existing Mental Disorders, presented by Joseph Godges, PT, DPT, MA, FAPTA.

This training will enable physical therapists to:

• Improve their effectiveness in identifying psychological impairments associated with commonly diagnosed mental disorders.
• Incorporate interviewing, communication skills, and action-oriented patient education to optimally structure therapist-patient relationships that promote the patient's self-responsibility and efficacy.

The lecture also will:

• Highlight clinical practice guideline recommendations providing strategies to prevent the progression of acute pain to chronic, disabling conditions.
• Provide patient education and counseling strategies to address:
  • Personality disorders, such as paranoid, avoidant, borderline, or dependent disorders.
  • Cognitive tendencies, such as anxiety or fear.
  • Affective tendencies, such as depression.
  • Pain catastrophizing, such as exaggerated pain experiences.
  • Generalized pain, such as maladaptive central nervous system sensitivity.

Joe Godges is an adjunct associate professor of clinical physical therapy in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California. He currently is working with a team of authors on two clinical practice guidelines: Education and Counseling for Managing Musculoskeletal Pain and Differential Diagnosis of Medical Conditions Requiring Medical Consultation in Individuals With Common Musculoskeletal Complaints.