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Reframing the Complex Patient

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    • Non-Member - $349
    • PT Member - $199
    • PTA Member - $199
    • Student - $199
    • Post-Professional Student - $199
    • APTA Staff - Free!

This three-part series explores an integrative approach to caring for complex patients by placing stress and adversity at the center of clinical decision-making. Participants learn the science of stress, how it impacts health and recovery, and how to apply stress-informed strategies within physical therapy practice.

Key Features

  • This course is available until 12/31/2026
  • Cost: 
    • $199 for PT, PTA, Post-Professional, and Student Members
    • $349 for Non-Members
  • CEU: 0.7 (7 contact hours)

Course Details

  • Part 1: Reframing the Complex Patient: Attending to the Health Effects of Stress and Adversity
    • Covers the science of stress, including stress physiology, chronic stress impacts, coping mechanisms, and social determinants of health.
  • Part 2: Reframing the Complex Patient: Addressing Stress and Adversity in Physical Therapy Care
    • Focuses on adapting PT assessments and interventions using a stress-informed, integrative care framework.
  • Part 3: Reframing the Complex Patient: Overcoming Barriers to Addressing Stress and Adversity in Physical Therapy Care
    • Examines practical challenges to implementing stress-informed care and strategies to overcome clinical and system-level barriers.
  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (LMS-MHS-1) This course introduces the science of stress and its impact on complex patient care, helping clinicians apply a stress-informed, integrative approach in physical therapy practice. As Part 1 of the Reframing the Complex Patient series, it lays the foundation for understanding stress physiology, chronic stress effects, and key risk and protective factors that influence patient outcomes. This course is available until 12/31/2026. (0.2 CEU / 2 contact hours)

    This course is Part 1 of the Reframing the Complex Patient series, available for individual purchase. This course introduces a stress-informed, integrative approach to caring for complex patients by placing stress science at the center of clinical decision-making. Participants will explore stress physiology, the health effects of chronic stress, biobehavioral coping mechanisms, social determinants of health, and key concepts such as allostatic load and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), with direct application to physical therapy practice.

    Interested in the full three-course series? Click here to explore the complete Reframing the Complex Patient program.

    Key Features

    • This course is available until 12/31/2026
    • Cost
      • $99 for PT, PTA, Post-Professional, and Student Members
      • $149 for Non-Members
    • Earn CEU: 0.2 (2 contact hours)

    Andra DeVoght

    PT, MPH

    Has been a physical therapist since 1995. After a decade working at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle’s level 1 trauma hospital, she was inspired to pursue a master’s degree in public health that radically changed her approach to physical therapy and led her to open a private practice, Insight Physio PLLC. Andra’s clinical practice at Insight Physio focuses on a biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain, women’s health, and pediatrics. She collaborates with mental health professionals for the care of complex patients. She teaches therapeutic yoga and mindfulness classes for people experiencing chronic pain or other chronic illnesses.

    Andra has focused on continuing education course work that integrates a mind-body approach to health care. These include yoga teacher certification with specialty in trauma informed yoga, mindfulness instructor training, NEAR sciences (neuroscience, epigenetics, ACEs and resilience) teacher training, Explain Pain, Postural Restoration Institute courses, Center for Mind Body Medicine facilitator training, and most recently the advanced level course work with the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute.

    In addition to clinical practice Andra collaborates on community-based projects teaching about the social determinants of health and a biopsychosocial approach to health and healthcare. She has developed curriculum and guest lectures for teachers/special-ed staff and middle school, high school , and midwifery students. Central to her biopsychosocial model is a deep understanding of the stress response and the health effects of stress and adversity. When we view patient care through the lens of the stress response, we begin to connect important dots between symptoms, beliefs, behavior and life circumstances.

    Sarah Wenger

    PT, DPT

    Sarah Wenger, PT, DPT, FNAP and Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist is the Physical Therapy Services Director for the Philadelphia Department of Health. In this role she is developing and directing a new program through the city’s Ambulatory Health Services that provides physical therapy to city residents who are uninsured or otherwise have limited access to services. She is also an adjunct professor at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions where she was previously a professor for 17 years. She teaches the pathophysiology series where she develops students’ reasoning skills in the context of chronicity and complexity across the biopsychosocial spectrum. Dr. Wenger enjoys working with chronic biopsychosocial dynamics and teaching others how to care for patients with complex needs. Her treatment focuses on interprofessional collaboration, patient education, and building self-efficacy that empowers patients to manage their chronic conditions as independently as possible. As part of an interprofessional team, Dr. Wenger developed a chronic pain clinical reasoning model and psycho-education program called Power Over Pain. Dr. Wenger has published and presented on a range of topics related to her areas of expertise in chronic pain, complexity and chronicity, trauma-informed care, under-resourced populations, clinical reasoning, and interprofessional care and education.

    Course Instructions

    1. Click on the Contents tab to watch the course recording.
    2. Click the Take Quiz button to complete the assessment. Learners will have 3 attempts to pass and must answer at least 70% of questions correctly.
    3. Click Fill Out Survey under the Evaluation listing to provide valuable course feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
    4. Click the View/Print Your Certificate button under the Certificate listing. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the APTA Learning Center and clicking the CEU Certificate/Transcript link on the left-hand side of the page. 

    Need Assistance?

    For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns, please e-mail learningcenter@apta.org. 

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (LMS-MHS-2) This course helps clinicians apply stress-informed principles to physical therapy assessments and interventions using trauma-informed and biopsychosocial care models. As Part 2 of the Reframing the Complex Patient series, it focuses on translating stress science into practical, patient-centered clinical strategies. This course is available until 12/31/2026. (0.3 CEU / 3 contact hours)

    This course is sponsored by

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    This course is Part 2 of the Reframing the Complex Patient series, available for individual purchase, and builds on stress science to help clinicians apply an integrative, stress-informed approach to physical therapy care. Participants will learn how to adapt PT assessments and interventions by viewing patients through the lens of stress physiology, trauma-informed care, and biopsychosocial models. 

    Interested in the full three-course series? Click here to explore the complete Reframing the Complex Patient program.

    Key Features

    • This course is available until 12/31/2026
    • Cost
      • $99 for PT, PTA, Post-Professional, and Student Members
      • $149 for Non-Members
    • Earn CEU: 0.3 (3 contact hours)

    Sarah Wenger

    PT, DPT

    Sarah Wenger, PT, DPT, FNAP and Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist is the Physical Therapy Services Director for the Philadelphia Department of Health. In this role she is developing and directing a new program through the city’s Ambulatory Health Services that provides physical therapy to city residents who are uninsured or otherwise have limited access to services. She is also an adjunct professor at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions where she was previously a professor for 17 years. She teaches the pathophysiology series where she develops students’ reasoning skills in the context of chronicity and complexity across the biopsychosocial spectrum. Dr. Wenger enjoys working with chronic biopsychosocial dynamics and teaching others how to care for patients with complex needs. Her treatment focuses on interprofessional collaboration, patient education, and building self-efficacy that empowers patients to manage their chronic conditions as independently as possible. As part of an interprofessional team, Dr. Wenger developed a chronic pain clinical reasoning model and psycho-education program called Power Over Pain. Dr. Wenger has published and presented on a range of topics related to her areas of expertise in chronic pain, complexity and chronicity, trauma-informed care, under-resourced populations, clinical reasoning, and interprofessional care and education.

    Andra DeVoght

    PT, MPH

    Has been a physical therapist since 1995. After a decade working at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle’s level 1 trauma hospital, she was inspired to pursue a master’s degree in public health that radically changed her approach to physical therapy and led her to open a private practice, Insight Physio PLLC. Andra’s clinical practice at Insight Physio focuses on a biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain, women’s health, and pediatrics. She collaborates with mental health professionals for the care of complex patients. She teaches therapeutic yoga and mindfulness classes for people experiencing chronic pain or other chronic illnesses.

    Andra has focused on continuing education course work that integrates a mind-body approach to health care. These include yoga teacher certification with specialty in trauma informed yoga, mindfulness instructor training, NEAR sciences (neuroscience, epigenetics, ACEs and resilience) teacher training, Explain Pain, Postural Restoration Institute courses, Center for Mind Body Medicine facilitator training, and most recently the advanced level course work with the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute.

    In addition to clinical practice Andra collaborates on community-based projects teaching about the social determinants of health and a biopsychosocial approach to health and healthcare. She has developed curriculum and guest lectures for teachers/special-ed staff and middle school, high school , and midwifery students. Central to her biopsychosocial model is a deep understanding of the stress response and the health effects of stress and adversity. When we view patient care through the lens of the stress response, we begin to connect important dots between symptoms, beliefs, behavior and life circumstances.

    Course Instructions

    1. Click on the Contents tab to watch the course recording.
    2. Click the Take Quiz button to complete the assessment. Learners will have 3 attempts to pass and must answer at least 70% of questions correctly.
    3. Click Fill Out Survey under the Evaluation listing to provide valuable course feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
    4. Click the View/Print Your Certificate button under the Certificate listing. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the APTA Learning Center and clicking the CEU Certificate/Transcript link on the left-hand side of the page. 

    Need Assistance?

    For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns, please e-mail learningcenter@apta.org. 

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (LMS-MHS-3) This course focuses on practical strategies for addressing patient complexity, including documentation, reimbursement, and comprehensive evaluation, while supporting sustainable clinician practice. As Part 3 of the Reframing the Complex Patient series, it emphasizes overcoming system-level barriers and implementing stress-informed care at both individual and organizational levels. This course is available until 12/31/2026. (0.2 CEU / 2 contact hours)


    This course is Part 3 of the Reframing the Complex Patient series, available for individual purchase, and focuses on overcoming clinical and system-level barriers to delivering stress-informed, integrative care. Participants will learn how to document patient complexity, support appropriate reimbursement, apply comprehensive evaluation strategies, and develop sustainable approaches to self-care and professional boundaries. 

    Interested in the full three-course series? Click here to explore the complete Reframing the Complex Patient program.

    Key Features

    • This course is available until 12/31/2026
    • Cost
      • $99 for PT, PTA, Post-Professional, and Student Members
      • $149 for Non-Members
    • Earn CEU: 0.2 (2 contact hours)

    Sarah Wenger

    PT, DPT

    Sarah Wenger, PT, DPT, FNAP and Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist is the Physical Therapy Services Director for the Philadelphia Department of Health. In this role she is developing and directing a new program through the city’s Ambulatory Health Services that provides physical therapy to city residents who are uninsured or otherwise have limited access to services. She is also an adjunct professor at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions where she was previously a professor for 17 years. She teaches the pathophysiology series where she develops students’ reasoning skills in the context of chronicity and complexity across the biopsychosocial spectrum. Dr. Wenger enjoys working with chronic biopsychosocial dynamics and teaching others how to care for patients with complex needs. Her treatment focuses on interprofessional collaboration, patient education, and building self-efficacy that empowers patients to manage their chronic conditions as independently as possible. As part of an interprofessional team, Dr. Wenger developed a chronic pain clinical reasoning model and psycho-education program called Power Over Pain. Dr. Wenger has published and presented on a range of topics related to her areas of expertise in chronic pain, complexity and chronicity, trauma-informed care, under-resourced populations, clinical reasoning, and interprofessional care and education.

    Andra DeVoght

    PT, MPH

    Has been a physical therapist since 1995. After a decade working at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle’s level 1 trauma hospital, she was inspired to pursue a master’s degree in public health that radically changed her approach to physical therapy and led her to open a private practice, Insight Physio PLLC. Andra’s clinical practice at Insight Physio focuses on a biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain, women’s health, and pediatrics. She collaborates with mental health professionals for the care of complex patients. She teaches therapeutic yoga and mindfulness classes for people experiencing chronic pain or other chronic illnesses.

    Andra has focused on continuing education course work that integrates a mind-body approach to health care. These include yoga teacher certification with specialty in trauma informed yoga, mindfulness instructor training, NEAR sciences (neuroscience, epigenetics, ACEs and resilience) teacher training, Explain Pain, Postural Restoration Institute courses, Center for Mind Body Medicine facilitator training, and most recently the advanced level course work with the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute.

    In addition to clinical practice Andra collaborates on community-based projects teaching about the social determinants of health and a biopsychosocial approach to health and healthcare. She has developed curriculum and guest lectures for teachers/special-ed staff and middle school, high school , and midwifery students. Central to her biopsychosocial model is a deep understanding of the stress response and the health effects of stress and adversity. When we view patient care through the lens of the stress response, we begin to connect important dots between symptoms, beliefs, behavior and life circumstances.

    Course Instructions

    1. Click on the Contents tab to watch the course recording.
    2. Click the Take Quiz button to complete the assessment. Learners will have 3 attempts to pass and must answer at least 70% of questions correctly.
    3. Click Fill Out Survey under the Evaluation listing to provide valuable course feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
    4. Click the View/Print Your Certificate button under the Certificate listing. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the APTA Learning Center and clicking the CEU Certificate/Transcript link on the left-hand side of the page. 

    Need Assistance?

    For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns, please e-mail learningcenter@apta.org.