Controversial part of therapy is phony's work (8)

I believe the answer is:

hypnosis

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'controversial part of therapy' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'is phony's work' is the wordplay.
'work' is an anagram indicator.
'is'+'phonys'='isphonys'
'isphonys' anagrammed gives 'HYPNOSIS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hypnosis that I've seen before include "Suggestive technique" , "Mental state induced by suggestion" , "Trance-like state, induced by suggestion" , "Mesmerism" , "Means of inducing trance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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