Ep.284 'Communication Skills For MSK Clinicians: Part1 - Motivational Interviewing' with Orla Adams

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. Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - 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 Website - MI Cardiff Workshops  MINT UK and Ireland Cardiff Meeting June 2026 Website - Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) Orla Adams on Linkedin  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.