Participant Spotlight: Talya Cisneros, PT, DPT, HSP | California Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy – Mission Viejo

For Talya Cisneros, PT, DPT, understanding her patients has always been part of the job—but through the Firebrand Leadership Academy, she’s learned how to do it with more purpose, strategy, and trust.

"Building trust with patients is so key to being able to do our jobs effectively," she shared. "I used to rely on soft skills and intuition, but now I have a more evidence-based understanding of how to build that trust intentionally."

The Owning the Patient Journey module helped Talya see the connection between communication styles and patient outcomes. By applying tools like social style identification, she can now tailor her approach to what each patient truly needs—not just physically, but emotionally and behaviorally.

"Some patients want the facts up front. Others need reassurance. Understanding those social styles has helped me offer more individualized care," Talya explained.

She recalls a recent patient who was hesitant about physical therapy—skeptical of pain, progress, and anything that felt outside their comfort zone. By identifying their analytical social style, Talya adjusted her approach: clearly outlining goals, emphasizing structure, and offering realistic ways to incorporate therapy into their routine.

"That simple shift helped build trust. Once they started seeing results, I had both their credibility and their buy-in," she said.

Through Firebrand, Talya has refined how she communicates, connects, and coaches—ultimately helping her patients feel seen, supported, and successful at every stage of care.

Whether you're focused on improving patient relationships, refining communication, or growing as a clinician-leader, the Firebrand Leadership Academy equips you with the tools to do it—intentionally and confidently.

Interested in joining a future Firebrand Leadership Academy cohort? Click here.