Psychology

Running Head: IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOLOGY FOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSSTANTS 1

UNDERSTANDING OF THE FIELD OF PSYCHOLOGY FOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST

ASSISTANTS

MICHEL GARCIA TAPANES

July 31, 2020

IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOLOGY FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS 2

One of the integral aspects of physical therapy is treating the psychological well-being of

a patient. Physical therapy assistants must have adequate knowledge in the field of psychology to

ensure that they can efficiently treat their patients. The physical body plays a crucial role in the

promotion of the psychological well-being of people. Having a proper understanding of the field

of psychology enables physical therapist assistants to motivate their patients to continue

receiving treatment, maintain a positive mindset, and visualize healing.

Physical therapy assistants must have adequate knowledge of psychology to motivate the

patients. If the injured patient is sad, he/she may be unwilling to receive therapeutic treatment.

Physical therapy assistants must understand the current state of mind of their patients to

determine their probable response to therapy. They need psychology to understand their patients

well. “Patients must be psychologically motivated and encouraged to forget their suffering”

(Biddle et al, 2017). Patients undergo therapy for various injuries and pain in their bodies. They

need to have a positive attitude towards therapy to make progress. Patients who maintain positive

attitudes are likely to get well faster because they comply with the directions. Therefore, physical

therapy assistants have to motivate patients that they will get well to improve their attitudes.

Physical therapy assistants use psychology to decrease the levels of stress and anxiety

among patients. Before attending therapeutic sessions, most patients are anxious about the

outcomes. A patient might also be stressed by the likelihood of staying for long without

recovering from an injury or pain. Some of them fear that they might get injuries or one might

fail to treat them correctly. With good knowledge in the field of psychology, physical therapy

assistants can help their patients overcome fear (Paterson et al, 2018). One of the psychological

skills used by physical therapy assistants is mental imagery. Mental imagery helps patients to

perform better in various body exercises.

IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOLOGY FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS 3

Some treatments might take longer to achieve the desired result in patients. When it takes

longer than expected, some of the patients are likely to become very impatient and lose trust in

therapy. “A physical therapy assistant must possess the quality of hopefulness to make patients

believe that they will achieve the desired result” (King, 2016). They have to give their patients

hope that they will recover from various injuries and pains and get back to their lives. The

physical therapy assistants rely on the field of psychology to improve the hopefulness and

patience among the patients.

Patients might not be able to get better unless physical therapy assistants help them

overcome various mental blocks. The mentality of a person plays a crucial role in the healing

process. Patients who do not believe that they can heal take a lot of time to heal. A physical

therapy assistant should be willing and able to address the cognitive and psychological issues

facing the patients. Some of the patients might be facing depression due to the loss of their jobs

or family problems. Psychology must be used to overcome all mental blocks.

The field of psychology enables physical therapy assistants to motivate their patients and

encourage them. All physical therapy assistants should have adequate knowledge in psychology

to manage their patients throughout the process of treatment.

IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOLOGY FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS 4

REFERENCES

Biddle, S., & Mutrie, N. (2017). Psychology of physical activity and exercise. Psychology of

physical activity and exercise.

King, L. A. (2016). The science of psychology: An appreciative view. McGraw-Hill Education.

Paterson, M., Black, J. D., Boyer, B. A., Lawliss, K. A., Flanigan, A., Eludji, K., & Hofmann, R.

J. (2018). Incorporating Psychology Services in a Physical Therapy Student-Run Pro Bono

Clinic. Free Clinic Research Collective, 4.