Ep.287 "Psychological Patterning Process (PPP)'' with special guest Serena Simmons

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. Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast 00:02:35 - Meet Serena Simmons 00:04:34 - Psychology and Teaching 00:08:10 - Forensic Work and TV 00:13:51 - Introducing PPP 00:22:03 - How PPP Works 00:25:44 - Training and Mapping 00:30:58 - Ethics and Scope 00:35:02 - Vectors of Change 00:43:01 - Practitioner Self-Mapping 00:47:26 - PPP Course Details starting September 2026 Useful Links The Psychology School Website Psychological Patterning Process (PPP) Course Information Serena Simmons on Instagram Other Episodes In This Series Part 1 - Motivational Interviewing for MSK Clinicians with guest Orla Adams - Available on YouTube & all popular Podcast Apps.   Part 2 - Awkward Conversations with guest Richard Shorter of Non-perfectdad.co.uk Part 3 - Explaining Diagnoses with guest Ben Whybrow, host of the Clinical Communication Podcast 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.