CAT uses a collaborative approach designed to approach many challenges, including:
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression
- Eating difficulties
- Self-harm
- Relationship issues
- Personal growth and self-understanding
Cognitive Analytic Therapy
Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) is an integration of cognitive and analytic psychotherapy. This structured, short term therapy service helps you better understand your emotions, thoughts and behaviours.
CAT typically lasts 16 weekly sessions, but the duration can be adjusted to suit your needs, with options for 8, 12, or 24 sessions.
What Is Cognitive Analytic Therapy Used For?
How Does Cognitive Analytic Therapy Work?
Problems are understood in the light of your personal history and life experiences.
Cognitive Analytic Therapy focuses on understanding the connection between your life history and how you cope now with situations and relationships.
Here’s what to expect:
- Understanding Your Past (First 3-5 Sessions):
Together with your therapist, you’ll explore how your life history has shaped the way you cope with situations and relationships today. The CAT therapist will write a letter to you with their understanding of your narrative, and give some ideas of difficulties we might work on. - Recognise Emotions, Thoughts And Behaviours
In later sessions, you are encouraged to recognise emotions, thoughts and behaviours, especially how you handle relationships, including your relationship with yourself. Diagrams are often used to map out these patterns. You use these diagrams in and out of CAT sessions to help your reflection. - Managing The Future:
We look at how you want to manage now and in future, including building on your existing strengths and resources. We negotiate tasks for you to do between CAT sessions to help your development.
Free Consultation
Start Your CAT Journey Today
In Cognitive Analytic Therapy, we work with you to identify patterns of relating to people and yourself, and ways forward for the future.
We also offer training therapies, including those funded by NHS England, for CAT practitioners in training.
You can find out more here: All About Cognitive Analytic Therapy – All About CAT (acat.org.uk)
CAT is offered by Dr Emma Taylor, Dr Laura Mantle, Gay Gell and Dr Roger Denny whom you can find out more about via our Meet the Team page.