BTS Newsletter AUG 2025 by Therapy Partners Group

BEYOND THE STRETCH

For many, August comes with fresh pencils, a clean backpack, packed lunch, and new shoes but at Therapy Partners Group, “back to school” isn’t a once-a-year event. It’s a mindset.

We believe there’s always more to discover, new skills to master, and further ways to grow not just as clinicians, but as leaders, teammates, and human beings. Lifelong learning is woven into our culture, because the best care for our patients begins with the best preparation for our people.

From day one at TPG, you’re surrounded by opportunities to expand your knowledge and sharpen your expertise. Whether you’re diving into the New Grad Success Program (NGSP), exploring Advanced Clinical Pathways, engaging in a Residency or Fellowship, or stepping into Clinical Leadership Performance training (CLP), we provide structured routes to help you achieve your professional aspirations.

And we don’t stop there Platforms like Medbridge and our internal course offerings give you on-demand access to evidence-based education, skill refreshers, and new clinical insights all designed to keep you at the forefront of patient care.

Why? Because we pride ourselves in knowing there’s always more to know. Healthcare is dynamic. Techniques evolve. Research advances. And when we stay curious and committed, our patients feel the impact in every visit, every interaction, every outcome.

So, as the world gears up for another school year, remember: here at TPG, class is always in session. The next chapter of your growth is waiting and we’re here to help you write it.

Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep stretching.

This is how we do it.

California HOT JOBS HOT JOBS

Creek - Gilroy, CA

Sport & Spine - San Anselmo, CA

Bear - Modesto, CA

Trees - Ventura, CA

Two Trees - Oxnard, CA

Two Trees - Newbury Park, CA

Two Trees - Simi Valley, CA

Click to Apply Click to Apply

Two

Silver

Golden

ETHAN PASTER MENTOR

1.What’s one skill or concept you were most excited to teach your mentee and why?

I had fun teaching Mike Mulligan manual therapy skills for the lumbar spine. There are a couple of easy-to-learn tricks that mentors have taught me over the years, which I've had a lot of success with and love to share. We utilized these techniques for a couple of his patients with good responses, and they will serve as an asset to his arsenal of techniques moving forward.

M E N T

O R S H I P M E N T O R S H I P

2.Where have you seen the most improvement in your mentee since starting together?

The biggest growth I saw with Mike over the year was his time management skills This was an area of focus early on in residency, as Mike is always one to say yes to things and spend extra time with patients. These are great attributes but can also cause challenges with time management and/or work/life balance. Mike has been able to find ways to still connect with patients while improving time management during patient care

3.What’s the moment you felt most proud of your mentee?

One of my favorite moments working with Mike was observing him perform an evaluation in the clinic for a college baseball player with a UCL injury His evaluation was comprehensive and was performed at the level of a Sports Clinical Specialist...

(Cont.) He utilized what he has learned working with UA Baseball as well as what he has learned from his residency modules to provide comprehensive care that is well beyond where one would typically be at 6 months into his career. His knowledge base for baseball rehab/evaluation has already surpassed mine and I'm excited to see him continue to grow in fellowship next year

MICHAELMCDERMOTT MENTEE

1.What was your biggest fear or challenge when you started at TPG?

I was definitely worried about the workload of being a resident. As a new grad, I knew there was going to be a lot of adjustment starting sports residency. Luckily, my mentors and coworkers were there to help me figure it out!

2.What’s one lesson from your mentor that changed how you treat patients?

Ethan has completely changed the way that I evaluate and treat concussions in clinic, helping me to become more detailed with my patient intake and address a greater spectrum of deficits that patients experience after head and neck trauma He has also taught me to be less heavy handed and have more finesse with many manual techniques

3.Where do you hope to be in your PT career in five years, and how has your mentor influenced that vision?

I’m hoping to open a cash pay PT clinic focused on treating athletes Ethan has taught me tons about Olympic lifting, CrossFit movements, strength and conditioning principles, and venue coverage Working with him has helped me gain more confidence in myself as a clinician and all the skills he helped me develop this year will help me better serve my athletes in the future.

ETHAN&MICHAEL MENTOR-MENTEE

1.What’s one thing you’ve learned together through a tricky patient case or situation?

We worked with a man who was hit by a car while crossing the street and presented with several injury sites. Through this challenging case, we both learned how to be more intentional with interventions to address multiple body parts and impairments more efficiently. We also learned the impact that we can make by providing holistic care.

2.What’s a funny or lighthearted moment you’ve shared?

When traveling for AASPT sports conference Mike, Alicia, and I enjoyed a 24 hour hellscape of delays and connections. Between sleeping on the floor of the LAX airport and utilizing Alicia's lounge access, we shared a lot of laughs and mutual anguish. The highlight was all of us falling asleep in the lounge chairs, with Mike somehow prone and demonstrating a great LLLD terminal knee extension stretch. Unsurprisingly, he woke up with a fair amount of knee discomfort.

Career Growth

Your Way | Choose Your Path

Formal Residency Program

New Graduate Success Program

12-month structured program

Monthly Interactive Journal Clubs

Monthly Special Topic Didactic Training

Online Modules

15-month ABPTRFE-accredited

Residency Program

Available in Arizona & California

Qualify to sit for APTA's Specialization

Certification examination

Advanced Clinical Programs

Sports, Pelvic Health, Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Hand Therapy, Neurology, & Pediatrics

Knowledge Tracks in specific curriculum

12 months to complete a program

EMERGING LEADERS & CLINICAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The Emerging Leaders Program is designed for clinicians beginning their leadership journey. It focuses on developing foundational leadership skills, communication, and effective team management.

The Clinical Leadership Program is specifically tailored for clinic directors within TPG. This program enhances leadership abilities, clinical expertise, and operational management skills.

75% pass rate of all courses & completion of program requirements

Case study write-up & presentation

Anyone in an Advanced Clinical Program will be included in the

Specialty outpatient rotations available including outpatient neurology, pelvic health, pediatrics, sports rehabilitation, orthopedic specialists. All rotations from early ICE to terminal clinical experiences with hiring opportunities are welcome. Local brand partners accepting students in 7 states.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome can develop after an injury to an individual. Symptoms can consist of sensation, trophic, autonomic, and motor changes. It requires an interdisciplinary approach of health care professionals: physicians, physical or occupational therapist, pain management, and psychotherapist. Social and family support can influence recovery. In PT/OT care, Graded Motor Imagery is often used to address CRPS. The protocol consists of laterality training, imagery, and mirror visual feedback. Using GMI and other treatment activities will improve the individual’s return to ADL and IADL.

Patient presents with discoloration, excess hair growth, and glossy appearance She indicates sever pain with ROM

Patient is using sponge wedges between the fingers to assist with ROM while performing a towel crawl activity Sponges assist with separating the fingers to facilitate PIP/DIP ROM

Using kinesiotape to manage pain and applying light 0-10% tension.

Patient is utilizing mirror visual feedback to assist with pain management and coordination. Patients see their left hand mirror their right, moving fluidly while tricking the brain into believing there is no pain and good motion.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being a CI for the past two years at OPTM. It is true when they say teaching is learning! I am happy to give back to this profession by mentoring and guiding PT students and new grad clinicians based on my learning and experience. I have been lucky to have some amazing seniors along my journey who have helped me grow. I am trying to give as much as I received when I was new. I am now a better clinician and human, having helped many students and clinicians alike.”

Growth Mindset

The Secret to Patient Buy-In: Microprogressions

Microprogressions are the subtle improvements patients demonstrate as they adapt to therapy While objective measures are important, most patients care more about how they feel and what they can do differently day to day.

At the initial evaluation, it’s crucial to establish a clear baseline of functional limitations in detail If a patient says they have difficulty standing, dig deeper—can they stand for 5 minutes? 10? The more specific the baseline, the easier it is to identify meaningful change later.

As humans, one of our biggest motivators for investing time and money is seeing progress toward a goal When progress is visible, we ’ re much more likely to stay committed. Yet in rehab, progress is rarely linear or rapid tissue healing can take weeks, months, or even years. So how do we keep patients engaged in the plan of care (POC) when they don’t have full shoulder flexion after just two visits? The key is microprogression. I like to ask three questions...

Is the frequency of the pain decreasing?

Are you able to do more throughout the day before pain increases?

That third question often reveals the microprogressions that matter most. A patient may still have pain, but now they can stand for 15 min instead of 10 They may not yet reach fully overhead, but they can grab items from the second shelf instead of just the first. By identifying and celebrating these microprogressions, we validate effort, foster trust, and build the motivation patients need to stay the course through the ups and downs of rehab.