Are you looking to learn the basics about Cognitive Analytic Therapy? Perhaps you’re tempted to explore the model to find out whether CAT and you are a good ‘fit’ for your practice going forward. Maybe you’ve already had exposure to CAT through supervision or team-based work. You may want some extra focussed practice opportunities and theoretical scaffolding to build on what you already know. Or perhaps you’ve decided that training as a CAT Practitioner is your next step, but you haven’t yet attended a two-day introduction.

Whatever your motivation, you’re welcome to attend our next two-day introductory workshop. This takes place face-to-face in Manchester on 3rd and 4th July 2024. The workshop will be led by one of our experienced trainers, Sarah Littlejohn. Through a combination of brief theoretical presentations, video material and experiential exercises, Sarah will guide you through the model, its applications, its tools and techniques. You’ll have an opportunity to become familiar with key CAT concepts such as reciprocal roles, procedures and enactments. You can practise mapping and writing in small groups or pairs.

These days also provide a chance to view scenarios from the CAT Training Films (series 1). Catalyse developed this series of films, depicting the process of a fictional therapy. The story of ‘Paul and Lisa’ is embedded throughout our Practitioner Training course.

We hope that this introduction to CAT helps you move forward in your practice. Past participants have rated previous runs very positively. You can read some of the comments and feedback on the event page, and decide whether you want to introduce yourself to CAT, while Sarah introduces CAT to you, in July.

Find out more and book a place by clicking on this link: An Introduction to CAT

We’re really pleased that David Harvey is running another day on CAT and Safety: Containing Distress to Manage Risk on 14 May 2024 in Manchester. David has adapted the original day he and Jenny Marshall facilitated in Leeds last September, so that it caters more specifically for professionals already familiar with CAT. This of course includes CAT practitioners and psychotherapists , whether qualified or in training. David also welcomes other professionals with some existing familiarity with CAT, from a wide range of settings.

Whether you’re working in mental health, forensic, social care, child protection or multiple and complex needs settings, if you want to use CAT to help consider and manage risk, this workshop may be very relevant. David brings a wealth of ideas and experience around organisational consultancy and leadership. So the day will include consideration of ways in which CAT may be used as a consultancy approach supporting teams and staff, in addition to skills for more direct work using CAT concepts.

Together with Jenny Marshall, David agreed to be interviewed for a blog prior to last year’s event. This gives more of a flavour of the thinking behind both the original and adapted day. You can read it at this link: Reflecting On Risk To Others.

Fnd out more and book on to CAT and Safety on 14 May by clicking on this link: CAT and Safety: Containing Distress to Manage Risk

Looking ahead to new growth in the spring? We have two CPD events now ready to feed your mind and CAT skills in early 2024. Both repeat popular events over the last couple of years. First up on the first of February is the return of Katie Ackroyd and Stephen Kellett bringing their perspective on Five Session Cognitive Analytic Consultancy. Just a few places remain on this event. If you have already attended this CPD and want to build further on your Five Session Cognitive Analytic Consultancy skills, details of a follow-on day on mapping the dynamics of care will soon be published.

Then on 26 April Mark J Walker and Alison Jenaway will present again on integrating CAT with EMDR, with their event Creating A Tapestry ~ Weaving Together EMDR and CAT. This one opens for booking today.

Looking forward to seeing some of you at one event or the other. We’ll update with new events soon.