In this episode, host Matt Phillips is joined by Sarah Meharg and Rosi Sexton to discuss the launch of Neuroflect UK and the recent publication of their 'Reflective CPD Journal'. They explain why neurodivergent‑affirmative practice matters, share practical planning and reflection tools for clinicians, and outline upcoming training and resources to improve accessibility across healthcare and workplaces.

The conversation is aimed at MSK and other health professionals — both neurotypical and neurodivergent — who want simple, actionable ways to reduce barriers, better support patients, and embed reflective learning into everyday practice. Find the journal and more at neuroflect.co.uk.

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We arrive at the final part of our focus this month on Communication Skills for MSK Clinicians, in an episode entitled “Psychological Patterning Process (PPP)”. In this episode, host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Serena Simmons, a Chartered psychologist, educator, and behaviour change specialist with over 25 years experience of working in psychology, behaviour change, teaching, and human complexity, across Healthcare, Higher Education, Coaching, and Forensic settings.

Serena discusses her recently released 'Psychological Patterning Process (PPP)' - a practical, formulation-based lens for understanding the patterns beneath a client’s behaviour. Serena explains how co-mapping and simple psychological profiling help clinicians decide when change is appropriate, which tools to use, and whether to refer — all within scope and with compassion.

The episode looks at real clinic examples, how PPP can support all types of MSK clinician, and the aims of the inaugural training starting September 2026. The conversation focuses on making consultations easier, reducing practitioner self-blame, and improving decision-making about motivation, treatment and referral.

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In Part 3 of our focus this month on Communication Skills for MSK Clinicians, entitled 'EXPLAINING DIAGNOSES', host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Ben Whybrow, Clinical Communication Skills Facilitator at Norwich Medical School, specialist physiotherapist in an NHS Pain Clinic, and host of the Clinical Communication Podcast.

Practical tips focus on keeping explanations simple, validating feelings over repeating facts, tailoring language to the patient, and prioritizing how patients feel so they leave reassured and able to move forward.

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In Part 2 of our focus this month on Communication Skills for MSK Clinicians, entitled 'AWKWARD CONVERSATIONS', host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Richard Shorter, founder of Non-perfect Dad.co.uk, an expert in Sports Parenting & Business Leadership Conversations.

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A new month and a new focus topic: 'Communication Skills for MSK Clinicians'. In Part 1 of this four part series, titled 'Motivational Interviewing in MSK Practice', host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Orla Adams, a highly respected & experienced Motivational Interviewing trainer based in Cardiff, alongside Motivational Interviewing co‑founder Dr Stephen Rollnick. 

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Many of the frustrations MSK clinicians feel when assessments, diagnoses, or outcomes don’t go to plan aren’t down to lack of skill, but to unseen COGNITIVE BIASES and JUDGEMENT NOISE shaping everyday decisions. In the final part of our focus this month, 'Common Frustrations For MSK Clinicians', host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Tristen Attenborough of movementpossible.co.uk, a Sports Therapist with BSc Psychology & MSc Pain Management, who explains how unawareness or misunderstanding of these human factors fuels inconsistency, self‑doubt, and missed learning.

Tristen discusses perceptual errors like pareidolia and confirmation bias, how natural history and survivorship bias can mislead clinicians, and practical strategies to reduce bias, including reflection, humility, and supervision.

Together, Tristen and Matt discuss better clinical reasoning, avoiding absolute language, and giving clients agency in their care. The episode closes with advice for clinicians to hold results lightly and focus on listening to patients, plus details of Tristen’s presentations at the up & coming STA Regional Conferences. 

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In Part 3 of our focus this month 'Common Frustrations For MSK Clinicians', host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests Ben Cormack of Cor-Kinetic, and Adam Meakins 'The Sports Physio'. Ben & Adam are founders of 'The Better Clinician Project (BCP)', an online continuing professional development (CPD) and education platform for healthcare and rehabilitation professionals, providing accessible and evidence‑based education for clinicians.

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆.

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In Part 2 of our focus this month 'Common Frustrations For MSK Clinicians', host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests Carla Bickerstaffe, Sports Therapist & part of the Invictus Games Medical Team, and Emily Gilbert, a Chronic Pain Specialist and owner of Framework Sports Massage.

The episode highlights practical solutions: better patient-led training, collaboration and supervision, joining reputable professional associations, and adopting evidence-informed approaches to working with pain and complex cases.

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This month on the STA Clinician Podcast, our focus is 'Common Frustrations For MSK Clinicians'. In Part 1, host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests Imi Testa, owner of Back On Track Soft Tissue Therapy, and Jo Turner, founder of Mehab.co.uk. Imi and Jo discuss the all too often polarised debate over 'good posture', and the misconception that maintenance massage is merely a luxury.

The conversation covers safe peer spaces, coaching and clinician self‑care, the limits of purely biomechanical thinking, and the value of collaboration and awareness in practice. Imi talks about the exciting new course she has created with fellow therapist Joanne Crawley, created for people in midlife and beyond that incorporates exercise for strength, balance and mobility. Jo Turner mentions her highly respected 'Coaching Unpeeled' course, delivered online with Joanne Elphinstone of JEMS Movement, designed to help MSK clinicians partner more effectively with patients, reduce sense of pressure and enable patients to participate in their treatment with greater engagement and motivation.

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The Sports Therapy Association (STA), The Society of Sports Therapists (SST) and the Sports Therapy Organisation (STO) are widely recognised as the three main professional membership bodies specifically representing Sports Therapists in the UK.

The panel discusses conference goals, public education, professional membership, education standards, and the language around diagnosis and clinical decision-making. The episode highlights opportunities for unified messaging, better accreditation and training, and the power of multidisciplinary events to raise standards, protect patients, and support practitioners across the sector.

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