PROCESS-BASED SPECIALIST IN MOVEMENT & PAIN (PSMP)
CERTIFICATION
Process-Based Specialist in Movement & Pain (PSMP)
The Process-Based Specialist in Movement and Pain (PSMP) is a certification program that was created to help clinicians develop competence, critical thinking, and comfort in the use of a biopsychosocial process-based framework called the Human Rehabilitation Framework (HRF)™.
The HRF stands as a notable advancement in the field of rehabilitation, embodying a scientifically sound, coherent, and individual-centered approach to clinical decision making and treatment. It prompts a transdisciplinary and transdiagnostic approach to tackling physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems in human functioning, marking a new era in rehabilitation.
This coursework is designed for: Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, Occupational Therapists, Chiropractors, Physical and Occupational Therapist Assistants, Massage Therapists, Psychologists/Social Workers, Nurses/Nurse Practitioners, Osteopaths, and Physicians.
Becoming PSMP Certified
The PSMP Certification is an online and live hybrid program which can be flexibly completed over the course of 1 to 5 years.
This course work is designed to help participants re-conceptualize movement, manual therapy, and pain science clinical understanding and interventions to current standards of science-based evidence, while simultaneously building up communication and behavior modification skills to help clinicians better work with clients and patients who struggle with movement and pain. In this process, clinicians are introduced to a biopsychosocial process-based framework called the Human Rehabilitation Framework (HRF)™ to help them take on uncertainty and complexity with increased comfort. This coursework is thoughtfully enhanced with personalized clinical mentorship, specifically designed to support and guide you in seamlessly integrating the HRF into your own practice. The program finishes with a capstone providing opportunities for both conceptual and experiential integration.
Choose your Own Path to PSMP Certification:
There are currently two options available to complete the PSMP Certification:
The PSMP Certification can be completed via a self-paced option where participants take each of the required courses at their own pace. This option is helpful for participants who want to gradually expose themselves to the content over a longer period of time. While 1-5 years is typically the recommended timeline, some individuals may take longer to complete.
The PSMP Certification can also be completed through a 12-Month Intensive Program. This competitive program is only offered once a year with applications open in May and the program running from September through August. This option is helpful for participants who are ready to advance their career and want to complete the coursework amongst a cohort of other determined clinicians.
Not sure if the PSMP Certification is right for you?
No worries! We have designed our coursework for participants to start implementing the principles of the HRF immediately after the introductory course. While we recognize many individuals will require the PSMP Certification to fully embrace and utilize the HRF, we do not want that to stop you from enjoying the benefits of this revolutionary approach. You can start your journey today by completing the Functional Understanding Course to gain insights on how you can make the shift towards a more process-based approach in rehabilitation.
Process-Based Specialist in Movement and Pain (PSMP) Certification Program:
The PSMP Certification is awarded to participants who have successfully completed all the coursework associated with the Human Rehabilitation Framework. This can be accomplished via self-paced individual learning or through a 12-month intensive program amongst a cohort of other motivated participants.
PSMP Curriculum (150 Total Hours):
Level 1
A Functional Understand of Human Rehabilitation – 15 Hours
HRF – UQ Applications Course – 7.5 Hours (In person only)
HRF – LQ Applications Course – 7.5 Hours (In person only)
Focus on Psychological Flexibility Skills for the HRF – 15 Hours (Online only)
Level 2
The HRF Evaluation – 7.5 Hours
Movement Boundary Intensive – 7.5 Hours
NOTE: The Curriculum is broken into four levels to provide a general guideline to follow, but it does not need to be completed in order. Please check out individual courses for the required prerequisite to ensure you are able to participate as most only require the introductory functional understanding course.
PSMP 12-Month Intensive Program
Join our highly competitive 12-Month Intensive Program, designed exclusively for passionate clinicians seeking to excel in the HRF. With limited availability and offered just once a year, this program is your opportunity to take your professional journey to new heights. Apply now and secure your spot in this transformative educational experience!
Why Choose Our 12-Month Intensive Program?
Benefit from a cutting-edge curriculum that encompasses the latest advancements in the HRF. You will learn from world-class faculty who are experts in the field, and benefit from their mentorship and insights. You will also join a group of professionals who share your interests and goals and form lasting connections that will enhance your career. Moreover, you will acquire practical skills through interactive exercises, case studies, and simulations, preparing you to address complex challenges. Finally, you will demonstrate your proficiency through a capstone project, where you will apply theory and research to make a valuable contribution.
Applications for the 2023 Cohort Have Closed – Stay Tuned for 2024!
Thank you for your interest in our esteemed 12-Month Intensive Program. Unfortunately, the application window for our 2023 cohort has closed. However, we are excited to announce that applications for our 2024 cohort will open in May. With limited spots available, we recommend preparing early to secure your place in this transformative program.
Mark your calendars and get ready to take a significant step in your professional journey. Applications for our 2024 cohort will provide you with an opportunity to excel in the HRF and unlock a future brimming with potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Human Rehabilitation Framework (HRF?)™
The Human Rehabilitation Framework (HRF) introduces a new era of rehabilitation. Some of its key highlights are the following:
- World’s first biopsychosocial process-based approach to rehabilitation that is accessible by all disciplines for delivering care in a transdisciplinary manner.
- Addresses the most criticized shortcomings of the Biopsychosocial (BPS) Model.
- Evolutionary step forward for Evidence Based Practice (EBP) that provides a new perspective that provides a broad synthesis of scientific evidence, clinical practice, and personalized care.
- Embraces the scientific philosophy of Functional Contextualism, which is adhered to comprehensively throughout the HRF™ in order to ensure a coherent approach to clinical reasoning, decision-making, scientific research, intervention, and outcome measures.
- Replaces differential diagnosis from a clinical standpoint in most circumstances but continues to work in parallel with ICD structure from a payer perspective and historical organizational demands.
- Moves beyond general heuristics and algorithmic problem framing.
- Replaces Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), Clinical Prediction Rules (CPRs), and Clinical Pathways.
- Protocols following syndromes and diagnoses are replaced by a process-based approach for evaluation and intervention.
- Reductionist clinical thinking is replaced by adaptive strategies for embracing complexity, while maximizing technologic advances (including psycho technologic advances) for improving efficiency with complexity.
- Process-based interventions provide transdiagnostic effects by way of their multi-dimensional and multi-level interactions.
- Supports advances in Personalized Precision Medicine and the Value Based Care Model.
- Designed to be ready for the future of Biomedicine and Psychological research, transitioning from analyzing inter-individual variation to non-ergodic intra-individual variation and single-subject time series analysis.
Learn more by accessing the HRF Community Website here.
Why choose the PSMP?
The PSMP was designed to bridge the gap toward application and clinical integration of the biopsychosocial model, pain science, and contemporary movement and manual therapy science. Significant emphasis on working with uncertainty and complexity is built into the coursework. Transitioning clinicians from diagnostic/protocol interventional approach to a process-based approach is guided through the Human Rehabilitation Framework (HRF)™. The PSMP will introduce several firsts in the available movement and pain certification market. It will be the first movement, rehabilitation, manual therapy, and pain-oriented certification to:
- …be process-based (see more on process-based below).
- …provide a structured biopsychosocial framework oriented around both the client/patient and the clinician for sustainable facilitative interaction toward improving quality of life, in particular for those struggling with movement and pain.
- …goes beyond clinical care and empowers you to streamline operations, enhance patient satisfaction, and cultivate a thriving practice that not only delivers exceptional care but also secures a sustainable future for your business
In addition, since the PSMP will continue to evolve on an ongoing basis to keep up with the current scientific evidence and best practice, all participants and certified providers will have the opportunity to access to advances in the course work to ensure they are practicing in the most current supported scientific evidence.
Do I have to take all the courses to use the HRF?
No! We understand that embracing and utilizing the HRF is a journey that may vary for each individual. While the PSMP Certification is designed to provide comprehensive training and expertise in the HRF, we don’t want that to hinder you from experiencing the benefits of this revolutionary approach.
We have structured our coursework to empower participants to start implementing the principles of the HRF immediately after completing the introductory course. You can kickstart your journey today by enrolling in our Functional Understanding Course, which provides valuable insights on making the shift towards a more process-based approach in rehabilitation.
We recognize that many individuals may find value in pursuing the full PSMP Certification to fully embrace the HRF and its broader application. However, we want to assure you that even by completing the introductory course, you’ll gain valuable knowledge to begin implementing the HRF into your practice. The Functional Understanding Course serves as a foundation for understanding the core concepts and kickstarting your journey towards a more comprehensive and patient-centered approach.
What do you mean by Process-Based Approach?
Process-based therapy is most commonly recognized in psychological clinical practice, in particular Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), but the underlying premise of engaging in biopsychosocial processes during clinical practice is transdisciplinary and transdiagnostic in nature, in particular with movement and pain. Traditional clinical categorization of patient/client presentations provides a cluster of symptoms that fit a syndrome for which a protocol would be initiated. However, this approach is recognized as extremely limited when it comes to the complexity of pain, movement, increasingly convergent diagnoses, and psychological and social factors. A patient may present with multiple diagnosis for chronic low back pain, right shoulder pain, left knee pain, depression, anxiety, and headache diagnoses that would yield time and practical consideration competing interests, excessive utilization, excessive interventions, and a plan of care which would not be adherable by most patients if addressed by a protocol approach. Even a simple ankle sprain is more than the ankle for an athlete in the middle of their season. Yet, these presentations are common and often result in emphasis on a single factor, domain, or diagnosis without recognition of overlapping biopyschosocial processes in such presentations. Conversely, a process-based approach that is transdiagnostic engages in biopsychosocial processes that help facilitate change for client with multiple concordant diagnoses with lower utilization, increased patient autonomy and agency, and sustainable strategies in the long term to improve patient quality of life. The PSMP trains clinicians in a process-based approach to movement and pain with the availability of clinical mentorship during and after completion of the program.
What is the Biopsychosocial model?
The biopsychosocial model provides a framework which explores the interplay of biology, psychology, and sociology in human health and illness. It was developed by George Engel in 1977 as an effort to address the shortcomings of the biomedical model for treatment of illness and addressing human health. The biomedical model exclusively identifies illness as the sum of purely biological factors with the exclusion of psychological and social factors, a stance which is incompatible with current scientific evidence for the treatment of movement and pain problems. Psychosocial factors are predominant predictors of health outcomes and disability trajectory, and human health cannot be addressed without inclusion of these factors. In recognition of this understanding, the World Health Organization (WHO) first advised that all healthcare providers adopt this model in 1987 and later developed the International Classification of Function (ICF) with the biopsychosocial model as the foundation. In recent years, the adoption of the biopsychosocial model has expanded to include sports medicine: Organizations ranging from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and US Military have made the stance that athletes in pain, should be treated by sports medicine clinicians who have a thorough understanding of the biopsychosocial model. Specific to physical therapy, the IOC recommends that physical therapists who treat athletes should be trained to “identify and address inaccurate conceptualizations of pain and injury plus psychosocial and contextual influences on pain” and be able to educate “the athlete regarding the role of the central nervous system in pain, especially in chronic pain“.
Despite world-wide and USA healthcare recognition of gaps in this knowledge, acceptance and integration of BPS-based models for clinical practice is poor and rare in both private practice and hospital-based systems. This has been consistent across multiple healthcare disciplines, often with concerns of few incentives for adoption of the BPS model with current reimbursement models, the impact of the BPS model on workload, and inadequate resource availability for developing competence in BPS care serving as significant limiters to adoption. The PSMP was developed as an effort to address these barriers and many other challenges regarding the adoption of the BPS model in the treatment of individuals struggling with movement and pain problems.
What is the difference between transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary?
Multidisciplinary approaches have shown potential to be beneficial for individuals struggling with pain. However, stand-alone intensive multidisciplinary biopsychosocial pain programs have a number of logistic, financial, and implementation challenges. Current healthcare climate (organizational factors, reimbursement, etc.) further decrease the likelihood of scaling stand alone centers to meet the needs of the world-wide pain epidemic. The PSMP proposes an additional model to a traditional standalone multidisciplinary approach by shifting the emphasis from multiple single disciplines exclusively working in their specific domains, to a transdisciplinary model of practice across providers. Utilizing a transdisciplinary perspective allows for individual providers to have cross training with key aspects of pain treatment traditionally provided by other disciplines. By doing so, this would permit clinics with fewer available internal clinical disciplines to work within their network and community to allow for flexible integration of other disciplines on an as-needed basis to meet both the practical clinical and patient needs. This is particularly important when it comes to determining the appropriateness of the number of disciplines needed to meet the needs of the patient. Concurrent to this increased autonomy, this model will still function within new and existing multidisciplinary environments with the potential to decrease and address inefficiencies and gaps in care.
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