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.

The episode explores what Motivational Interviewing really is and why it continues to matter in modern healthcare. It unpacks how MI helps shift perspectives from “fixing” patients to partnering with them, with a particular focus on recognising and resisting the fixing reflex that many clinicians fall into under pressure. Orla shares insights into the core skills and training required to practise MI well, highlighting the power of open questions, reflective listening, and the evolving language of MI in supporting meaningful behaviour change. Through real-life examples, the episode brings these concepts to life and show how MI can be applied day to day, while also addressing the link between MI-informed practice and clinician wellbeing, including burnout prevention. Also mentioned are MI training opportunities, as well as upcoming events and workshops with Orla for anyone keen to deepen their practice.

  • 00:0:00 – Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast
  • 00:02:12 – Introducing special guest Orla Adams
  • 00:03:24 – Defining Motivational Interviewing
  • 00:07:07 – The Journey to Motivational Interviewing
  • 00:09:15 – Shifting Perspectives in Healthcare
  • 00:12:44 – Skills and Training in Motivational Interviewing
  • 00:22:00 – The Fixing Reflex
  • 00:23:43 – Evolving the Language of MI
  • 00:31:49 – The Power of Open Questions
  • 00:37:43 – Real-Life Examples of MI
  • 00:40:16 – Addressing Clinician Burnout
  • 00:43:48 – Training Opportunities in MI
  • 00:48:37 – Upcoming Events and Workshops
  • 00:54:41 – Details of other podcast episodes this month

Useful Links

Other Episodes In This Series

  • Part 2 – 8pm (UK time) Tues May 12th – Richard Shorter, an expert in sports parenting at Non-PerfectDad.co.uk, will be giving advice on how to tackle Awkward Conversations.
  • Part 3 – 8pm (UK time) Tues May 19th – Ben Whybrow of the Clinical Communication Podcast will be discussing the Explaining of Diagnoses
  • Part 4 – 8pm (UK time) Tues May 26th – Serena Simmons, founder of the psychologyschool.co, will be introducing the Psychological Patterning Process (PPP) – a structured way of recognising the patterns that sit underneath your client or patient’s behaviour, and understanding what to do next.

Want to join the live recordings?

Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome – you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the ‘Sports Therapy Association Podcast’ on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available.

Interested in Joining The STA?

Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12! Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.