Course Promotional Statements
Barrett's course is cutting-edge neuroscience, immediately applicable to your clinical practice, and will change forever the way you assess your patients and treat mechanical pain. I was frustrated with the large numbers of treatment "systems" out there but Barrett showed me what they had in common and how I can use that knowledge the next day in the clinic. He single-handedly reinvigorated my passion for therapy and showed me what I could do to change "business as usual" in treating my patients. Citing the latest research, Barrett brings the physiology of pain and the use of movement therapy to life in an enjoyable way. He even juggles. Anyone who sees patients in pain ought to attend this course. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Jason Silvernail DPT,OCS,CSCS
I personally invited Barrett Dorko to present his Simple Contact workshop in Nanaimo, BC. I was impressed by how many therapists traveled great distances, from different continents even, to attend this workshop; a sure sign of his global influence and the importance of his material. This turned out to be, quite simply, the best continuing education course in physiotherapy I have ever attended.
Barrett has an infectious enthusiasm for his subject and spices up his lectures with enjoyable humor and narrative. All the while, the course content adheres to the highest standards of scientific integrity. His commitment to the material is legendary, and the material itself is nothing short of awesome. In addition to being an extraordinary speaker, and a highly skilled educator, Barrett quickly lets you realize he is also a friend willing to help support your learning long after the workshop has ended.
I left the workshop having all my expectations exceeded and I felt fully prepared to integrate this knowledge into my practice.
Eric Matheson, PT
BHSc.PT, BSc. Kin, MCPA
Nanaimo, British Columbia
"Barrett Dorko's course was a pivotal moment in my professional life, transforming my understanding of patients in pain and the meaning of rational treatment. His methods were easily integrated into my practice and have offered light for many patients where everything else has failed. Professional, well referenced, entertaining and enlightening, I highly recommend his course and writing to every therapist working with people in pain."
Dr Luke Rickards, B.AppSc, M.Ost
-Osteopath/Researcher, Australia
Barrett's course got me thinking about and reading our professional literature like no other course I've ever taken. His presentation skills are seconded only by his writing ability and I've used many of his metaphors to help educate and convey understanding to my patients.
Since taking his course my approach to patient care has become more humanistic and concordant with the description of the classic physical therapist response to disability in our Guide to Professional Practice.
Barrett also champions the importance of scientific inquiry to improve the treatment of people in pain. I've been so inspired that I make a daily effort to promote scientific inquiry, especially as it pertains to the study of pain, within the profession. The only course that I have found to be as informative and thought provoking has been the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society. Unfortunately that course simply can't compare to the engaging narrative Barrett employs.
Jon Newman PT GCS
I first heard about Barrett Dorko�s Simple Contact course in 2002 and became intrigued by the neurophysiology behind the concept. I attended the course in British Columbia, after flying across the Pacific to do so.
The course exceeded my expectations, though I was well versed in neurophysiology beforehand. What is striking about the presentation is its simplicity; Barrett is a skilled presenter with an excellent understanding of language and group dynamics. Learning was achieved in a friendly, non-threatening environment interspersed with good humor. Plenty of time was allotted to extended discussion while practicing, and Barrett was always available for questions.
Reading materials and references were set out for perusal during breaks. It was one of the very few courses I have attended over 20 years where, by the end of the day, it would have been easy just to continue learning into the night.
Nari Strange, Physiotherapist
Canberra Australia
I found Barrett Dorko's course superlative. My sense of having learned something was not so much based on what new material he included as it was based on what ideas he gently suggested could be discarded as faulty. He focuses on good science in the first place, and demonstrates how to operate Occam's Razor very effectively with regard to PT treatment constructs.
Diane Jacobs, Physiotherapist
Vancouver British Columbia
Barrett has done an extraordinary job synthesizing the most
current pain science into an immediately useable, explainable and thoughtful
method of care. I would recommend his course without hesitation to anyone
treating people with chronic pain.
Christopher Bryhan MPT
I attended Barrett Dorko's workshop, Simple Contact, in
December of last year after having read much of what he has written over the
years.
The information was presented in a manner to engage, then challenge, and then
explore what I know of manual treatment and pain. Barrett's style of
presentation is a wonderful compilation of research, metaphor, analogy, and
current social topics. Never have I attended a course in which the instructor
presented the information so creatively while remaining so deeply rooted in the
science he describes.
The method's application goes beyond manual treatment and expands into the
manner in which we communicate both verbally and non-verbally. It truly
encompasses the craft of manual care.
The impact upon my practice has been astounding and my patients in pain have
benefited significantly from what I learned. I wholeheartedly recommend this
course for anyone involved in treating those in pain.
Cory Blickenstaff PT, MS, OCS, CSCS
Owner Forward Motion Physical Therapy
Vancouver, WA
Barrett Dorko delivers by far the best continuing education course in physical therapy. I have had the privilege of attending his course three times and seeing how he has developed the material, integrated the most recent evidence and basic science, and honed his teaching style. He encourages his students to contribute and challenges them to learn more. He has a great vision of what physical therapy could be and he is doing his best to raise the profession to a thoughtful, caring, and scientific level. There is no teacher I could recommend more highly than Mr. Dorko.
Nick Matheson, BScPT
One to One Wellness Centre & PhysioFitness
Halifax, Nova Scotia