About

Katie Mitchell, PhD, PT, CAT(C)

Headshot photo of women in a dark pink shirt.
Photo of a female clinician in an office holding vestibular goggles.
Photo: Physiotherapy office with vestibular goggles.
Photo of woman on stage presenting powerpoint slides on a large screen.
Photo: Canadian Concussion Network (CCN) Conference
Photo of a woman spotting bench press.
Photo: Patrick Beauchemin
Photo: Defy Physiotherapy

Clinician-Scientist & Educator

Registered Physiotherapist & Certified Athletic Therapist

Katie is passionate about optimizing concussion and musculoskeletal injury management for all athletes.

I established Thrive NeuroSport with the mission of elevating care for individuals with concussion and musculoskeletal injuries by connecting advancing knowledge and innovations to clinical practice.

I believe that effective rehab strategies optimize not only how the brain and body work together, but how they adapt to different contexts and tasks.

How our sensory systems function impacts how we think and move.  In sport, the athlete brain must process  dynamic scenes, making quick decisions during high levels of stress. The integration of both sensory and cognitive functions with movement and exercise is key for return to performance.

Through a team-based approach, I help guide individuals through an active and progressive recovery process to restore confidence for return to sport and life.

Katie is a Registered Physiotherapist and Certified Athletic Therapist with over a decade of experience.

She is passionate about treating active, goal-oriented recovering from concussion and/or neuromuscular conditions, and musculoskeletal injuries. 

Katie has continued education and experience in the following:

  • Concussion Injury Management
  • Exercise Prescription & Programming
  • Vestibular-Ocular Motor Rehabilitation
  • Balance & Movement Coordination 
  • Cognitive-Motor Training
  • Adaptive Training & Para Sport
  • Sport Science
  • Sport First Responder
  • Integrated Dry Needling & Acupuncture
  • Manual Therapy 

Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre for Sport-Related Concussion, Innovation, and Knowledge, University of Toronto (2024 to present)

Education:

PhD, Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University (2023)

MSc Physical Therapy, Queen’s University (2014)

Adv Certificate in Athletic Therapy, Mount Royal University (2012)

BA Kinesiology & Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University (2011)

Research Interests:

My research is focused on understanding how sensorimotor and cognitive processes impact concussion recovery and injury risk management for return to sport and physical activity.

I have a special interest in supporting  underrepresented groups in existing clinical guidelines, including female and para athletes.

Key Areas: Vision, cognition, balance control, exercise, digital health

Katie is a member of the  Concussion in Para Sport (CIPS) international group and an associate editor for the BMC Open Sport and Exercise Medicine (BOSEM) journal. 

Google Scholar

  • Lead Team Therapist Women’s Para Hockey Canada (2022 to present)
  • Lead Team Therapist, Sledge Team Ontario (2018 to 2023)
  • Lead Club Therapist, Waterloo County Rugby Football Club (2009 to 2011, 2015 to 2018)
  • Rugby Canada Women’s 15s Selection Camp (2018)
  • Member of Host Medical Team, Para PanAm Games (2015)
  • Hockey Alberta, Alberta Winter Games (2011)
  • CIS Women’s Hockey (2009 to 2011)
  • OUA Men’s Rugby (2008 to 2011)

Connect with Katie to inquire about speaking engagements and/or educational opportunities for your organization. (Currently accepting inquiries for Summer and Fall 2024).

Katie has presented at several conferences and professional events, both internationally and virtually including,

Academic Conferences:

  • IOC World Conference on Injury & Illness Prevention in Sport
  • The 6th Consensus Meeting on Concussion in Sport
  • CATA National Conference
  • American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting
  • International Posture & Gait Research (ISPGR) World Congress
  • Canadian Concussion Network (CCN) Annual Meeting

Professional & Sport Organizations:

  • HeadsUp Canada, Concussion Advocacy Network
  • Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) – Sport, Neuroscience, & Seniors Divisions
  • Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA)
  • Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
  • Canadian Athletic Therapy Association (CATA)
  • SIRC Canada Concussion in Sport Symposium
  • Royal Canadian Institute for Science (RCIS)
  • Alberta Athletic Therapy Association (AATA)
  • Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada – RCCSS(C))
  • All Things Sport & Exercise
  • Coffee & Dark Chocolate
  • Mountain Biking
  • Strength Training
  • Hiking with my Australian Shepherd, Braedy
LET’S THRIVE TOGETHER.
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