Watch Your Mouth: Improving Therapeutic Alliance Through Effective Communication

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

8:00-10:00pm

Course Description:

This session offers a comprehensive exploration of strategies to improve patient communication, examining not only the why, but the how to improve communication and build stronger bonds with your patients. Attendees will delve into essential topics such as building therapeutic alliances, navigating difficult conversations, fostering trust, and creating safe spaces for patients. Additionally, emphasis will be placed on equipping physical therapy students with the necessary skills to enhance their communication effectiveness. Through a combination of theoretical insights, practical exercises, and case studies, attendees will gain valuable tools and techniques to strengthen their patient communication skills, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a student entering the field, this session provides valuable insights and actionable strategies to elevate your communication proficiency in physical therapy practice.

Course Objectives:

Following this webinar, the participants will be able to:

• Understand the significance of building therapeutic alliances in physical therapy practice and identify techniques to establish rapport and trust with patients.
• Develop strategies for effectively navigating difficult conversations with patients, including structuring conversations, delivering sensitive information, and managing emotions.
• Explore the importance of trust in the patient-therapist relationship and implement strategies to build and maintain trust through honesty, competence, and transparency.
• Apply principles and techniques for creating a safe therapeutic environment for patients, including respecting autonomy to enhance patient comfort and outcomes.

Speakers:

Rebekah Griffith, PT, DPT, is The ED PT and specializes in care in the Emergency Department. Dr. Griffith believes physical therapist practice in the Emergency Department is a critical way to move upstream in healthcare that supports patients during their most critical moments. Dr. Griffith has been an invited lecturer, regular presenter, podcast guest, & article contributor on this topic. She is the author of Top of Scope: The Emergency Department Physical Therapist Handbook. Additionally, she was instrumental in passing two motions within the APTA House of Delegates in support of Emergency Physical Therapist practice and is a founding member of the Emergency PT Steering Committee within the Academy of Acute Care.

Jimmy McKay, PT, DPT is a Science Communicator. He has a degree in Physical Therapy from Marymount University and a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Bonaventure University. Jimmy was a rock radio DJ for 15 years, most recently as Program Director & Afternoon Drive host for 97.9X (WBSX-FM). He has worked with amazing organizations to communicate their science such as Fox Rehabilitation, Mount Sinai Hospital, APTA Orthopaedics, and APTA Colorado.

He has presented at State and National Conferences. He was appointed as a trustee for the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research and was the captain of the victorious team in the Oxford Debate at the 2019 NEXT Conference.

Adam Matichak, PT, DPT is a board-certified oncologic clinical specialist at Stanford Healthcare, working with hematology and bone marrow transplant teams. He is passionate about advancing cancer rehab and equipping providers with the soft skills essential to patient care—effective communication, navigating difficult conversations, and supporting patients through grief and loss. Adam has presented nationally, including at the APTA CSM and Cancer Rehab Community Conference, and is a recognized voice in oncology rehabilitation.