How to Teach Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Everything You Need to Train Your Clients in Evidence-Based Relaxation Therapy

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Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is one of the most well-researched and well-supported of all therapeutic interventions. It is a true clinical fundamental, useful for many different client populations and virtually all ages. The ability to train clients in PMR is among the therapeutic skills that virtually every mental health clinician should have. Yet training in its use is not standard in most academic programs, and there are scant opportunities to learn it in other venues. This course fills that gap. You will learn the rationale for relaxation training, the clients likely to benefit from it, how to conduct the training itself, and what to watch for when troubleshooting. You'll also learn to teach Passive Relaxation, a variant form that excludes the tensing portion of PMR, and that many clients prefer. You'll also receive audio relaxation induction files that you can download and use with your own clients.

Plus, you can complete the course evaluation and a course completion quiz and receive a Continuing Education Certificate for 3 hours of content. (Changeways Clinic, the operator of PsychologySalon, is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Changeways Clinic maintains responsibility for the program.)

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, qualified and trained mental health professionals should:

  • Have an understanding of which client groups may benefit from relaxation training.
  • Be able to provide the rationale for relaxation training to clients.
  • Be aware of potential barriers or challenges that may arise.
  • Be able to train clients in PMR and Passive Relaxation strategies and provide recommendations for home practice.

A Note Regarding CPA Approval: The Canadian Psychological Association's approval of an individual, group, or organization as a CE Sponsor or Provider is restricted to the activities described in the approved application or annual report form. The CPA’s approval does not extend to any other CE activity the Sponsor or Provider might offer. In granting its approval, the CPA assumes no legal or financial obligations to Sponsors, Providers, or to those individuals who might participate in a Sponsor or Provider’s CE activities or programs. Further, responsibility for the content, provision, and delivery of any CE activity approved by the CPA remains that of the CE Sponsor or Provider. The CPA disclaims all legal liability associated with the content, provision, and delivery of the approved CE activity. This program adheres to the ethical standards of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists.


Your Instructor


Dr Randy Paterson
Dr Randy Paterson

Randy Paterson is the Director of Changeways Clinic and author of The Assertiveness Workbook, How to be Miserable: 40 Strategies You Already Use, Private Practice Made Simple, and Your Depression Map. He is also the lead author of the Changeways Core Program, one of the world's most widely used group therapy treatment protocols for depression, and coauthor of The Antidepressant Skills Workbook. He has presented over 300 workshops on psychotherapy for professional mental health providers across Canada and internationally.


Course Curriculum



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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