Nov. 2, 2026

Trauma-Informed Care: Building Trust, Choice, and Compassion in Physical Therapy

Show Notes

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.

What You'll Learn

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.

Try This in Your Next Patient Session

Before beginning a hands-on intervention:

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

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

About Our Guest

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.

Resources Mentioned

SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Care Resources

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

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

Support Your Professional Growth

MedBridge Continuing Education

Looking to continue developing your clinical knowledge and skills?

Explore continuing education opportunities through MedBridge.

https://www.medbridge.com/pta-plus-podcast

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