Practitioner Night: A Discussion on Supporting Client's Mental Health

We increasingly recognize the intersection between physical and mental health. Yet many of us in the physical health world receive little training in supporting our clients' mental health within our setting. Furthermore, we are not always well equipped to use psychological tools that facilitate our clients' recovery. This seminar introduces common mental health conditions that frequently appear in physical health settings, including low mood, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. We will then briefly discuss psychological tools that can support these conditions. My aim is to keep the session collaborative and interactive, drawing on the collective insight in the room.

William Bateman is a physiotherapist whose clinical journey has been shaped by the intersection of physical health and mental health. He began his career over a decade ago in private practice. After opening and operating a clinic focused on treating rock climbing injuries, he developed a keen interest in persistent tendon pain. This led to a broader focus on chronic pain, prompting a move to Vancouver Coastal Health in 2019, where he helped design and implement BC’s first low-barrier, non-pharmacological pain management program for individuals experiencing concurrent mental health, substance use, and chronic pain disorders in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Working alongside family doctors, psychiatrists, counsellors, occupational therapists, and recreation therapists, William learned to adapt his physiotherapy interventions to clients with complex psychological presentations—including depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, and substance use disorders. This interdisciplinary environment, combined with formal training in trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Functional Therapy, reshaped his approach to physical rehabilitation.
Recognizing the gap in mental health literacy among physical health clinicians, William co-developed an introductory mental health course to help practitioners begin integrating psychologically informed care into their work. His goal is to offer practical tools for navigating the intersection of physical and mental health.
William has also led VCH’s interdisciplinary PSS+ program, facilitating complex hospital discharges. He is a Clinical Instructor in UBC’s Physical Therapy Department, has served on the executive committee of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Pain Science Division, and maintains a part-time private practice in Squamish.

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