The Art of Therapy

In Episode 20 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen bring together the core ideas explored throughout the season — and answer the essential clinical question: What does a therapist actually do with all of this? They explain how the presenting complaint serves as context, focus, and guide — helping therapists decide where to look, what to prioritise, and how to move therapy forward without relying on bias or intuition alone. This episode shows how linking observed interaction patterns to the presenting problem transforms therapy from overwhelm into clarity, making the work both goal-directed and deeply humane. Created for working therapists and psychologists who want accessible, restorative learning that sharpens thinking without adding to burnout.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works: https://treatmentworks.co.za/links

In Episode 19 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen explore how trauma fundamentally changes the way people relate, communicate, and behave.

They unpack trauma as a deeply disturbing experience that can temporarily disrupt concentration, empathy, emotional regulation, and preferred ways of relating — often without the person realising what is happening. Crucially, this episode shows why therapists must first ask “Has there been trauma?” before interpreting interaction patterns.

For therapists and psychologists, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a vital reminder: behaviour that looks problematic may actually be a normal response to an abnormal experience.

Created for working clinicians who want meaningful, accessible learning without the exhaustion of traditional academic theory.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works: https://treatmentworks.co.za/links

In Episode 18 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen explore a subtle but powerful interpersonal dynamic: a person’s capacity to elicit acceptance or rejection in relationships.

They unpack how behaviour — often outside of awareness — can draw others closer or unintentionally push them away. Importantly, this episode highlights the difference between intention and impact, showing why distress, isolation, and repeated relational pain can occur even when rejection is never intended.

For therapists and psychologists, this episode offers a clear, compassionate framework for observing interaction patterns and helping clients understand how their way of relating shapes mental wellbeing.

Created for working clinicians who want meaningful learning without the drain of heavy academic theory.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works: https://treatmentworks.co.za/links

In Episode 17 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen explore flexibility — the often-overlooked skill that links control, adaptation, and mental wellbeing.

They unpack why being effective in one environment doesn’t guarantee effectiveness in another, and how rigid “preferred ways of relating” can quietly contribute to distress, conflict, and stuck therapeutic processes. Through practical examples, they show how flexibility is not about being agreeable, but about responding appropriately to context.

For therapists and psychologists, this episode offers a clear, accessible lens for observing adaptability in clients — and in ourselves — without judgment.

Created for working clinicians who want concise, meaningful learning that deepens insight without adding to burnout.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works: https://treatmentworks.co.za/links

In Episode 16 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen explore one of the most challenging — and most essential — principles in mental health: control.

They break down why control is uncomfortable to discuss, how it shapes relationships, and why therapists must learn to observe influence, yielding, helplessness, and excessive control in the room.

Through clinical examples, they illustrate how a person’s ability (or inability) to influence their environment connects to presenting problems — including depression, passivity, powerlessness, anger, and relational strain.

For therapists and psychologists, this episode offers a deeply clarifying look at a concept that sits beneath much of human behaviour.

Created for working clinicians who want concise but transformative learning — without the exhaustion of heavy theory.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works: https://treatmentworks.co.za/links

In Episode 15 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen explore how problem-solving skills strengthen mental wellbeing and therapeutic effectiveness.

They outline three core steps that move us from reactivity to clarity — defining the problem, understanding its causes, and systematically testing solutions. By learning to step back and observe rather than react, therapists and clients alike develop greater objectivity and balance.

Created for working therapists and psychologists who want concise, restorative learning to refine their craft without burnout.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works: https://treatmentworks.co.za/links

In Episode 14 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen explore metacommunication — the powerful skill of talking about communication itself.

They explain how reflecting on communication—intention, impact, context, and timing—helps clients and therapists resolve misunderstandings, strengthen relationships, and create shared understanding.

This episode clarifies how learning to metacommunicate turns breakdowns into breakthroughs.

Designed for working therapists and psychologists seeking accessible, restorative learning that deepens skill without draining energy.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works:https://treatmentworks.co.za/training/

In Episode 13 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen introduce one of the most transformative ideas in systems thinking — circular causality.

They explain how human behaviour can’t always be understood in straight lines of cause and effect, and why seeing interaction as circular helps therapists recognise mutual influence, relational patterns, and the dynamic “dance” of communication.

For therapists and psychologists, this episode offers a refreshing, accessible way to expand clinical understanding — making complex theory both practical and restorative.

Created for professionals who want concise, meaningful learning that inspires insight without adding to exhaustion.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works:https://treatmentworks.co.za/training/

In Episode 12 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen explore how understanding and expressing needs is central to mental wellbeing and therapeutic growth.

Building on Carl Rogers’ person-centred approach, they examine how self-concept and positive regard intersect with the way we communicate our needs — and why assertiveness is the bridge between awareness and connection.

This episode offers practical insight for therapists and psychologists who want to strengthen their observational skills and help clients build healthy patterns of self-expression.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works:https://treatmentworks.co.za/training/

In Episode 11 of The Art of Therapy, Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen explore positive regard, self-actualization, and confirmation — the need to feel seen, valued, and acknowledged.

Building on Carl Rogers’ person-centred theory, they explain how congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard lay the foundation for growth — but confirmation adds something vital: the experience of mattering.

For therapists and psychologists, this episode offers a restorative reflection on how giving and receiving confirmation supports both client wellbeing and the therapist’s own sense of meaning in their work.

Designed for professionals who want accessible, bite-sized learning to reconnect with the heart of therapy — without the exhaustion of heavy theory.

🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy. Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works:https://treatmentworks.co.za/training/