Ep.292: 'It's Not the Person: Rethinking Difficult Conversations in MSK Practice' with guest Matt Phillips

In Ep. 292 of the STA Clinician Podcast, host Matt Phillips moves into the guest chair, allowing STA founder Gary Benson to interview him about his specialist focus: thinking and communication in practice. They also discuss why, after a decade as "Runchatlive", Matt has launched his new website, MattPhillips.Education. The episode explores why labelling a patient as "difficult" often misses the point, and how shifting the focus from changing the person to adjusting the environment, improving communication, and using approaches such as Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can better support patients and clients, whether they are neurodivergent or neuromajority. Also mentioned is Matt's Facebook Group 'Neurodivergent MSK Clinicians', talks at this year's Therapy Show , the new 'Reflective CPD Journal' by Neuroflect UK , and Matt's up & coming collaboration with The Unbound Project on July 14th.  Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast 00:03:17 - Matt Phillips: From Host to Guest 00:08:59 - Rethinking Difficult Conversations 00:12:42 - Ask Before Assumptions 00:21:33 - Inclusive Design for Everyone 00:32:20 - Therapy Show and Neurodiversity 00:42:08 - Listening Over More Advice 00:46:11 - Communication, Not Fixing 00:58:33 - The Unbound Project 01:01:01 - What Listeners Should Take Away 01:04:42 - A New Identity in Healthcare 01:07:34 - On the show next week Useful Links Website: MattPhillips.Education Communication Skills for Clinicians CPD Course  July 14th: Exploring Workplace Conversations Through a Neurodiversity Lens - with the Unbound Project Matt Phillips at Therapy Show November 2026 Facebook Group: Neurodivergent MSK Clinicians The Reflective CPD Journal by Sarah Meharg and Rosi Sexton 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.