All posts by rhona

First CPD dates for 2027

6th October 2026CPD, Featured, Supervisor Trainingrhona

Is it too soon to think about next year? Despite a busy present, with the new Practitioner Course teaching poised to begin this week, there are some new CPD dates to announce for 2027. We’ll update our Forthcoming CPD page as more details are ready to share.

January 2027

The first event of the year on 27th January will be a full day workshop in Manchester on Effective & Respectful CAT with Neurodivergence: Day Two ~ Affirmative CAT Practice. This will build on the learning from the more introductory linked Day One taking place on 18th November. You don’t have to attend both, but we encourage you to consider doing so if you feel you first need a grounding or update on current thinking and perspectives on autism and ADHD.

Day Two will expand on learning from the first to focus on affirmative CAT practice in ongoing therapy with people who are neurodivergent. Emma Chorlton and Rachel Beckford will utilise group work, discussion and live supervision linked to real-life, anonymised examples where CAT is underway or completing. You’ll have opportunities to consider formulation, relational patterns, pacing, rupture and repair, endings, and adaptations to the therapy process.

Book a place on Day Two ~ CAT with Neurodivergence

March 2027

March will bring a further two day workshops, in person in Manchester. We’ll be posting more details and booking options soon. In the meantime save the date if you’re interested in attending either of the following:

4 March 2027 :: CAT Reflective Practice: Skills for Facilitation ~ led by David Harvey and Jenny Marshall. This will be a repeat of a day offered twice previously by a combination of David, Jenny and Kate Freshwater. All three work into the O-CAT workstream developing organisational uses of CAT. This day helps equip you to offer, or help support, reflective practice in your own setting.

The following day, on 5th March, Jenny and David will return to offer a new day focussing more specifically on Working with Team Dynamics and System Culture: a CAT Approach to Psychological Safety. This day takes a broader overview of the conditions which foster safe and effective teamwork where working relationships and practices, and compassionate care can thrive.

You will have an opportunity to think about how relational patterns and boundaries shape the way teams function. These can either support or inhibit speaking up, trust, and effective collaboration. A focus will be on the impact of these factors in team and system capacity to meet service user needs. You’ll be able to explore both the possibilities and tensions inherent in team working, especially where psychological safety falters or is lacking. This day may be of particular interest to those in leadership or supervisory roles, and those wanting to influence systems. Additionally it is for anyone with an interest in psychological safety, team culture, boundaries, and enabling open communication within systems.

If either of these interest you, contact us so that we can let you know when details are released.

Still time to book for 2026

You can still book places on all three remaining events in 2026:

Looking forward to seeing you at an event soon.

Autumn 2026 Update

29th September 2026Featured, Newsletterrhona

As we start into the autumn season, this is a news update for

forthcoming Catalyse CPD;
other bespoke events and services;
developments for Practitioner Training; and
our Privacy and Cookie/Website policies.

Those of you on our mailing list will have received a version of this by email. If you’d like to join our mailing list you can sign up at this link. You can unsubscribe at any time.

CPD

Thanks to all who have attended our CPD events of late. We have three CPD events on offer for the remainder of 2026, and several close to announcing for early 2027.

CAT as a Tool for Leadership ~ Online ~ 4th December 2026

This, the most recent event listed on our site, is an online repeat of David Harvey’s popular workshop. In this day event he helps participants consider the Multiple Self States Model as applied to organisations and services under pressure. Feedback below from a participant at the last of these events in April provides a flavour of what to expect:

“I found it really helpful to consider the different dynamics that can occur within systems, within different teams, and within ourselves as leaders, and what we can do try and address those, including the need to protect ourselves (as it is very easy to get into self-sacrifice within healthcare settings and you often get pulled into this).”

“…the links between theory and practice were super helpful. The trainer was really human and relatable in how he presented the material. No shame or judgement in the room.”

Book at this link: CAT as a Tool for Leadership

Already lined up for November, and starting to fill, are

Effective & Respectful CAT with Neurodivergence: Day One – Getting Started ~ Manchester ~ 18th November 2026

This adaptation of a prior 2024 workshop brings Rachel Beckford and Lesley Taylor back to help update and orientate participants to current thinking on neurodivergence. Their focus will include more subtle presentations in clients who are autistic or have ADHD. This is the first of a pair of linked days and aims to introduce you to key themes in adapting CAT for neurodivergent clients. The day aims to enhance informed and respectful engagement to help prepare the ground for further therapeutic work. A second day, scheduled for 27th January 2027, builds on the Day 1 learning. That later day will expand more upon therapeutic issues in CAT once therapy is underway. We hope to announce more details for Day 2 shortly.

Book Day 1 at this link: Effective & Respectful CAT with Neurodivergence: Day One ~ Getting Started

Image of multiple colours splashing out to the right from a brain hemisphere on the left

CAT Supervisor Training Workshop ~ Manchester ~ 26 and 27 November 2026

Sign up for this two day workshop with Mark Evans and Dawn Bennett if you’re ready to take another step towards becoming an accredited CAT Supervisor. It offers a non-residential, northern option for Module 2 of ACAT’s Modular Supervisor Training Pathway. With this informative and skills-based workshop under your belt, 2027 could look more like the year of leading your own supervision group to fulfil Module 3 of that pathway.

Read more details and book your place at this link: CAT Supervisor Training Workshop

Just past…

Our most recent CPD day on 14th September was on Challenging Scenarios in CAT. The group attending worked very actively with a selection of the second series of CAT films alongside facilitators Kathryn Pemberton and Rhona Brown. The focus was on exploring both clinical and supervisory issues when therapists are under pressure ‘in the room’. Feedback on the day was positive and we await the collated survey responses to help us think about any adaptations for further repeats.

Particularly as qualified CATs we may seldom have the chance to take focussed time to revisit issues such as working with self states and state shifts, powerful countertransference reactions, difficult endings, and ruptures where strongly held values and beliefs may highlight differences between client and therapist. The training films aim to provide rich material on which to base further discussion, exploration and exercises. You may have missed this day but still be interested in subscribing to the second set of films for your Trust, service or training organisation. If so, you can read more at this link: CAT Training Films 2 – Working with Challenging Situations in CAT

We hope to announce details of the first 2027 CPD events shortly. Our CPD survey highlighted that some of you are keen to access online events. So if you spot an in-person event which you’d like to see offered online at some stage, do please let us know. This will help us to ascertain demand and explore the possibility with facilitators. As ever, if you’d like to present on a CPD topic yourself, CPD Lead Jo Coggins is always happy to hear from you, so do get in touch.

Bespoke CPD and Consultancy for Your Service

Do also keep in mind that Catalyse can potentially arrange for ‘repeats’ of previous CPD days, or to deliver bespoke training and/or reflective practice facilitation for a range of organisations and services. Input can be designed around the needs of the service. This year three different services requested introductory workshops for CAT in Physical Health and we were able to adapt content for each setting. Many bespoke events also involve systemic or organisational work. Through the developing O-CAT workstream, we have an current piece of work which has included teaching, and now ongoing consultancy for senior managers in a large hospital. If you’d like to request some specific training or consultancy, or explore possibilities for your service, then please contact us.

CAT Practitioner Training Update

The original contract to deliver CAT Practitioner training to NHSE funded trainees in the North West and Midlands was for three consecutive years. This was extended by one year, for 2026. However this autumn or early next year we will again enter a tendering process for CAT Practitioner training for the next three or more years, from 2027 onwards. NHSE continues to invest in CAT training. It has in fact been the most in-demand psychological therapy training across English NHS regions! We’ll report on the likely numbers once the tender is published. This continued opportunity to grow CAT is something to celebrate. We do hope that all of you in our CAT community contributing to the course, and so underpinning and scaffolding this growth, can take a moment to appreciate your own part in it.

Privacy and Website/Cookie Policies Updated

Periodically we review and update our privacy policy and others associated with both our main website and the intranet. The intranet exists for trainees, supervisors, markers and seminar group facilitators. These have recently been updated. So if you ever want to read these there are links at the foot of both of websites.

That’s all for now. We hope to update you again soon with more news about CPD events for the first half of 2027.

High Summer 2026 Update

17th August 2026Newsletter, Updaterhona

We hope your your summer is going well and you’re coping with the successive heatwaves. We’ve just shared this update by email to those on our mailing list, which we hope to do regularly through these news bulletins. If you’d like to join the mailing list you can add your details easily through the page below.

Sign up to the Catalyse Mailing List here

Forthcoming CPD events

Working with Challenging Scenarios in CAT – 14th September 2026, Manchester

There are still places available on this day workshop with Kathryn Pemberton and Rhona Brown. The day provides an opportunity to explore and work on a range of challenging clinical scenarios, making use of a number of the second set of Training Films produced under Kathryn’s direction. The films depict scenarios involving state shifts, endings, rupture related to values, and strong countertransference reactions. They were improvised within some guidelines set by the working group led by Kathryn.

On reflecting on her role playing a therapist in one of the films, Jo Coggins shared a little about the challenge of articulating what is generally an internal and private commentary, when strong countertransference feelings are evoked in a therapist. She noted:- “Even when we are just acting, or even rehearsing, it’s interesting what strength of emotions can flood in… Stilling what comes up enough to see past it, and use it in CAT, is certainly a challenge. Over the years I’ve learned to trust the model, and make use of that map which I find can make such a difference in making sense of something powerful and disturbing.”

To find out more and book a place on this day, go to Working with Challenging Scenarios in CAT

Effective and Respectful CAT with Neurodivergence – Day 1: Getting Started – 18 November, Manchester

This is the first of two linked days on recognising and working with forms of neurodivergence in CAT. Rachel Beckford and Lesley Taylor led a similar day first in 2024, from which they have developed this workshop. You will learn about current understandings of autism and ADHD, aiding your recognition of more subtle or ‘unseen’ presentations of neurodivergence in therapy, including high masking. Using clinical material, discussion and practical group exercises, Day One will explore possible reciprocal role patterns associated with trauma, exclusion and misunderstanding. These may be aspects of neurodivergent experience, and may be misread in therapy. The day aims to aid understanding and integration within formulation and the CAT map.

We hope to be able to announce the date and details for the second of these workshops soon, co-led by Emma Chorlton. Day Two will build on the current workshop but with more focus on applying these ideas in ongoing CAT therapy. There will be further space in the second day to consider relational patterns, pacing, rupture and repair, endings, and adaptations to the therapy process.

More details and booking options for Day One will be published shortly. Check back on the Forthcoming Events page for the live link.

Update: This event is now open for bookings at Effective and Respectful CAT with Neurodivergence – Day 1: Getting Started

CAT Supervisor Training Workshop – 26/27 November, Manchester

This in-person two day workshop is a non-residential offer to those wishing to fulfil Module 2 of the ACAT Supervisor Training pathway. This year it is led by Mark Evans and Dawn Bennett. It is particularly designed for CAT Practitioners/Psychotherapists wishing to become an ACAT Accredited Supervisor. Experienced CAT supervisors are also welcome to attend, to look more intensively at their practice as part of their own CPD.

Call for New CAT Supervisors

Accompanying the announcement of this workshop is a Call for New CAT Supervisors. This article explains how the much-welcomed expansion of CAT training in the last few years needs to be underpinned by expansion in training resources, including the pool of accredited supervisors who support trainees as they work towards qualification. If you’re contemplating taking this next step, but are curious about what benefits will follow your efforts in undertaking this additional training and running your own group, consider the following:

“…new CAT supervisors say that they really value offering supervision. What they anticipated would be mainly challenging has been mainly rewarding. For many they are surprised that it has become the best part of their week. The training, especially running the training group and supervision at all levels afterwards:

allows you to recognise and appreciate your own growing competence in the model, helping you ‘know what you know’ and feel more confident in that;
helps you see what you’re not sure about, and to grow through exploring ideas along with your supervisees, as well as through your own CPD or supervision;
brings you into contact with, and refreshed by, the enthusiasm of clinicians keen to learn about CAT – that energy can be contagious;
can of course be challenging at times, for example through ethical issues, treading the boundaries between evaluation, support, personal material as it impacts on therapeutic work, our own blind spots etc – but all this also helps to maintain reflectivity and growth as a therapist and supervisor; and
pride and/or connection in being part of a reciprocal and constructive community of CATs, helping to bring the model to new client groups, services, clinicians and managers.“

To find out more and book onto the Module 2 workshop, go to CAT Supervisor Training Workshop

In other news:

Liz Fawkes joins Catalyse as a Non-Executive Director

You may be familiar with Liz in her past roles as both ACAT Training Committee and Exam Board Chair. Since retiring from her NHS management role in Somerset, she continues to teach on a number of CAT courses while working independently. We are delighted that she has joined the Catalyse Board in the role of Non-Executive Director, in which she hopes to “bring perspectives from both the ‘coal face’ in the NHS as well as senior management“. You can read more about Liz in her profile page – People Working With Catalyse: Liz Fawkes

CAT Practitioner Course 2026 Intake

Again we thank all those who submitted applications, attended interviews and of course all the managers and referees who supported their applications to join this new cohort of CAT Practitioner trainees here in the north. The intake is now almost full, and we expect another few dozen trainees to be training with us over the next two years. Gratitude also goes to all those supervisors, seminar group facilitators, markers and training therapists who will help trainees to complete their training requirements.

Without wishing to be too repetitive, again we encourage anyone on the ACAT CAT supervisor training pathway to complete and join the ranks of those supporting training through supervision. And if you are still contemplative about taking a first or next step on that pathway, do consider coming along to our 2 day workshop in November (details above) where you’ll receive a warm welcome, lots of orientation, skills practice, and practical information about progressing with your own training group.

If you’d like to take on any other course roles, there are regular opportunities to do so – see Staying Involved With Catalyse for more information and a document download.

Catalyse Social: Small but Well-formed

Thanks all who made it along to our first ever Catalyse Social in June, pushing through the Scotland World Cup match fans who were also competing for space in our South Manchester venue. Much chat and catching up was had before Mark Evans’ band Lucas Marks and the Glorious Unknown took to the stage for a rousing set of Americana roots based folk rock, and our home-grown DJ Dr Fresh spun her danceable tracks till close. An impromptu pool tournament emerged for those dizzied by the humidity and the football chants! Some of the avid dancers voted for it to become an annual event, so watch this space…..

That’s it for our high summer 2026 update, and we’ll post and email out again with more news as it emerges.

For all Catalyse enquiries please contact admin@catalyse.uk.com

Call for New CAT Supervisors

11th August 2026CAT Practitioner Training, Featured, Supervisor Trainingrhona

Would you like to be part of the growth of CAT?

There has been a marked increase in demand for CAT Practitioner training since 2022. Here at the Catalyse course, applications have almost doubled for the annual intake. We responded by increasing the cohort size but the numbers continue to grow. Alongside this, the number of CAT Foundation trainees completing the equivalent year 1 of practitioner training and joining our course for year 2 has also increased.

NHS England has identified high demand for CAT training since 2023 when they began to commission places for NHS staff. Availability of NHSE funded places has possibly increased visibility and in turn maintained demand at these high levels.

The good news is that we expect NHS England to invite tenders in the autumn to continue to commission CAT training to run from 2027. We very much welcome this continued investment in CAT. Research evidence supporting CAT as an effective, versatile therapy acceptable to clients, and valued by staff, continues to accumulate. You can read more about recent publications, current trials, and presentations at ACAT’s 2026 conference, through the ACAT site (eg see CAT’s Evidence Base). Professor Steven Kellett has also provided this summary for which we are grateful.

CAT Research Update 2026 by Professor Stephen Kellett Download

So, surely this is all good news?

Yes, CAT is thriving! However, along with growth comes a need to underpin it. We continue to need CAT graduates, both Practitioners and Psychotherapists, to support this further growth. As training numbers increase, so does the need for markers, training therapists, seminar facilitators, trainers and support roles within course teams. Courses across the UK welcome hearing from those who would like to contribute to any course roles.

However, we are particularly keen to engage and welcome supervisors and markers. We specifically need supervisors who can offer in-person supervision to trainees across the UK. Training is expanding where we may have access to few supervisors currently. It is also continuing in areas where supervisors are already at capacity. Supervision for practitioner training is ideally provided in person (and required for a minimum of 50% of sessions) so we really want to build capacity for this.

Marker training is provided through courses who always welcome CATs wishing to do this. Supervisor training is also a good basis for confident marking.

How do I train as a Supervisor?

ACAT accredited Supervisor training is an apprenticeship model, the process of which is outlined in this ACAT page. Many of you may already meet Module 1 requirements. These include generic training and experience of supervision. Module 2 is attendance at an ACAT accredited 2.5 day training. In Module 3 you then run your own group, under supervision, over a minimum of 6 months. You submit a portfolio and a piece of reflective writing based on your experience of leading the group. Finally Modules 4-6 involve completing additional CPD to suit your own learning needs.

Module 2 is offered in a number of sites across UK to support local courses and as a residential weekend run by ACAT. This takes place annually in Evesham.

Here in the north, we at Catalyse offer the Module 2 course on a non-residential basis. This year it takes place in Manchester on 26^th & 27^th November. After completing these two days you have the option to attend a further follow up meeting, arranged when convenient for the group.

Will there be benefits for me too?

Well, new CAT supervisors say that they really value offering supervision. What they anticipated would be mainly challenging has been mainly rewarding. For many they are surprised that it has become the best part of their week. The training, especially running the training group and supervision at all levels afterwards:

allows you to recognise and appreciate your own growing competence in the model, helping you ‘know what you know’ and feel more confident in that;
helps you see what you’re not sure about, and to grow through exploring ideas along with your supervisees, as well as through your own CPD or supervision;
brings you into contact with, and refreshed by, the enthusiasm of clinicians keen to learn about CAT – that energy can be contagious;
can of course be challenging at times, for example through ethical issues, treading the boundaries between evaluation, support, personal material as it impacts on therapeutic work, our own blind spots etc – but all this also helps to maintain reflectivity and growth as a therapist and supervisor; and
pride and/or connection in being part of a reciprocal and constructive community of CATs, helping to bring the model to new client groups, services, clinicians and managers.

We hope you’ll be be interested to be the next generation of supervisors for CAT and invite you explore taking that next step.