Finding Focus in Therapy: Using context as a flashlight

In Episode 3 of Season 2, we ask a key question: where should therapists focus their attention?Dr. Warwick Phipps and Marizaan Koen unpack how context determines the meaning of behaviour and why this helps therapists know which relationships to observe. Drawing from Gregory Bateson’s work on systems and communication, they show how a client’s presenting problem can act as a “flashlight,” guiding where to look in the complexity of interactions.This episode highlights the integrative power of combining person-centred care, communication theory, and systems thinking—creating a broader lens that helps therapists see more, understand more, and focus on what’s most relevant.🎧 Subscribe now and master the art of communication in therapy.Learn more about CPD-accredited, in-person training at Treatment Works:https://treatmentworks.co.za/training/