Mental Health Physical Therapist Certification Program
Learn essential physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional and somatic techniques to optimize mental health. Earn 32 CEUs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
The coexistence of mental and physical health conditions is prevalent. 80% of Physical therapists encounter patients with psychological distress every week. To achieve optimal physical therapy outcomes, neither should be treated in isolation.
Fortunately, it is within our professional scope of practice to manage behavioral and mental health conditions—addressing interconnected physical, psychological, and social health domains to ensure whole-person care. PTs and PTAs are uniquely well-positioned to have a positive impact on their patients’ mental and psychological well-being.
“It is within the professional scope of physical therapist practice to screen for and address behavioral and mental health conditions in patients, clients, and populations.”
– APTA Policy P06-20-40-10
As a certified mental health physical therapist, you’ll take a whole person approach to prevention, screening, and management to optimize your patients’ well-being.
Become a Mental Health Physical Therapist
Course Summary
The Mental Health Physical Therapist Certification provides physical therapists with the knowledge and skills to integrate mental health care into their clinical practice. This comprehensive certification prepares professionals to identify, screen, and manage common mental health conditions while recognizing the complex interaction between mental and physical health. By focusing on the management of mental health conditions, this training expands the personal scope of a physical therapist’s practice to include essential components of mental health care.
Participants will explore models of care that highlight the biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to mental health while also learning the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration with mental health professionals. Practical skills training includes trauma-informed, relational, and empathic approaches to care that address psychological distress through cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and somatic techniques. Additionally, this course equips participants with tools to implement psychosocial interventions that are feasible to deliver within the physical therapy setting. By learning how to scale these interventions across stepped-care systems, physical therapists will be prepared to innovate in mental health treatment, addressing gaps in care at both the individual and population levels. Graduates of the certification program will be able to apply their expanded skills to provide a more holistic, patient-centered approach that promotes both physical and mental health.
The Mental Health Physical Therapist Certification Has 3 Components:
Mental Health Foundations
Gain 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.
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.
Mental Health Mastery
Dive into experiential learning, where you 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.
“The Mental Health Physical Therapist Certification program has been so affirming.”
Learning Objectives
In this certification program, you will:
- Apply biobehavioral principles to address the impact of mental health in physical therapy practice.
- Integrate trauma-informed care principles into physical therapy interventions to enhance patient outcomes.
- Demonstrate the use of an empathic and relational approach during clinical interactions with patients.
- Apply ethical guidelines when delivering psychosocial interventions as a physical therapist in a mental health context.
- Select and deliver psychosocial interventions that are both acceptable and feasible for physical therapists.
- Utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques to help patients reduce psychological distress.
- Incorporate somato-emotional techniques to promote emotional regulation in patients.
- Match appropriate mental health interventions to various patient needs based on the stepped care model.
- Design an 8-session psychosocial intervention appropriate for the physical therapist to deliver for individuals or groups experiencing traumatic stress.
- Implement components of the stepped care system to structure mental health treatment within your practice.
As a PT, it is within your scope to screen for and manage mental health conditions. When you gain this competency, it will make all the difference for your patients, while setting you apart as a highly competent and well-resourced practitioner.
With the MHPT certification in hand, you could specialize in integrating mental and behavioral health screenings and interventions into your practice as a PT. This can place you ahead of your colleagues because your innovative, whole person approach will achieve greater outcomes.
PTs and PTAs will earn 32 CUs upon completion of the program.
“Being a physiotherapist, I haven’t seen any courses like this”
Meet Your Instructors
Joe Tatta, PT, DPT
Dr. Joe Tatta is the CEO of the Integrative Pain Science Institute, where he leads initiatives that advance integrative and psychologically informed physical therapy.
He has published 13 peer-reviewed articles and authored three books on pain management, including the textbook, Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine in Physical Therapy: A Guide to Primary Care, Health Promotion, and Prevention.
His scholarly contributions to pain science include the Pain Recovery and Integrative Systems Model, Pain Resilience Therapy, and promoting mental health physical therapy as a distinct practice area. Professional accomplishments include developing scalable practice models grounded in health behavior change and empowering physical therapists to assume the role of primary care providers.
Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT
Dr. Jeremy Fletcher is a dedicated leader in advancing health equity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and rehabilitative care. As the founder and CEO of Community Health Strategies, LLC, he works to empower communities through innovative educational initiatives and strategic consulting. A former healthcare executive and experienced clinician, Dr. Fletcher has a deep commitment to addressing mental distress in Veterans along the Gulf Coast as a Patient Aligned Care Team Physical Therapist in the Veterans Health Administration.
His work extends to continuing education, partnering with the Integrative Pain Science Institute to promote mental health physical therapy as a distinct practice area. Dr. Fletcher has presented nationally at major conferences, including the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, and has delivered keynotes for local and state organizations.
Jeremy Fletcher, PT, DPT
Dr. Jeremy Fletcher is a dedicated leader in advancing health equity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and rehabilitative care. As the founder and CEO of Community Health Strategies, LLC, he works to empower communities through innovative educational initiatives and strategic consulting. A former healthcare executive and experienced clinician, Dr. Fletcher has a deep commitment to addressing mental distress in Veterans along the Gulf Coast as a Patient Aligned Care Team Physical Therapist in the Veterans Health Administration.
His work extends to continuing education, partnering with the Integrative Pain Science Institute to promote mental health physical therapy as a distinct practice area. Dr. Fletcher has presented nationally at major conferences, including the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, and has delivered keynotes for local and state organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Is this within my scope of practice as a PT/PTA?
Your scope of practice is informed by three components:
- Our professional scope of practice as PTs. The American Physical Therapy Association has put forth policies that greenlight PTs managing behavioral and mental health conditions.
- Our jurisdictional scope of practice, based on where we’re located. Several US states specifically mention mental health in their PT practice acts. Most include correcting or alleviating a physical or mental condition. Other state practice acts mention that physical therapists can treat disability and health. Check your state practice act before you provide services.
- Our personal scope of practice, based on your interests, skills and training, and competence. If you proactively learn about cognitive or emotional techniques you’re better equipped to provide holistic care to your patients.
Do I need to be a physical therapist to enroll?
While you will gain valuable insights and knowledge from this program regardless of the type of pain practitioner you are, the MHPT Certification is specifically geared toward PTs.
Who can I contact with more questions?
Send an email to support@integrativepainscienceinstitute.com. We are here to support you in every way!
Hear From Mental Health Physical Therapists Who’ve Transformed Their Practice
“This certification gave me a whole new lens through which to view patient care”
“and it’s made me a better,
more empathetic clinician.”
“My role as a physical therapist has changed.”
Discover Your Full Potential as a Mental Health Physical Therapist
As a PT, you’re ideally positioned to make a considerable difference in the lives of your patients. Many patients see their PT far more often than other providers, so you are uniquely positioned to keep a finger on the pulse of their mental health concerns.
Create a more holistic practice by strengthening your mental health knowledge and skills. As you take a mind-body approach, you will improve patient outcomes and elevate your career.
- © 2026 Integrative Pain Science Institute. All Rights Reserved
- Privacy Policy
- Terms & Conditions