Forthcoming CPD Event
Cognitive Analytic Therapy as a Tool for Leadership
A one day online workshop led by David Harvey, Cognitive Analytic Therapist and Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Date: Friday 4th December 2026
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Online Event: via Zoom platform
Fees: ACAT member :: £130.00
non-ACAT member :: £145.00
[You or your employer can request to be invoiced. This incurs an additional £20 fee.]
Overview of workshop
This is a further run of David Harvey’s very popular one day workshop on how CAT concepts can be usefully adapted and applied in a leadership context. David introduces participants to the CAT understanding of trauma using the Multiple Self States Model. He goes on to apply this as a tool for leadership with systems and teams. Throughout the day he uses cognitive analytic therapy ideas to conceptualise the overwhelming challenges that teams face when working with people with complex presentations and high levels of risk. Participants are able to explore and apply applications of this model to help guide action and leadership in such contexts.
The first time David ran this event in September 2020 was during lockdown. He was in fact our first facilitator to deliver a CPD day online. He has gone on to deliver it several times since, both as an open event through our open CPD programme, and tailored for NHS Trust services. In both online and in-person formats, this day is consistently well received. We hope a further repeat using an online format helps keep the day accessible.
All attendees receive an attendance certificate following the event, for their CPD records.
Aims and learning outcomes
Participants have an opportunity to:
- consider how teams and systems respond to emotional and organisational pressures in ways that inadvertently mirror trauma responses
- explore how ‘traumatised system behaviour’ can disrupt effective team working, block pathways through services, delay discharge, impair coordinated care and threaten partnership and multi-agency working
- apply the CAT model of trauma to conceptualise these system problems, generate responses that minimise their impact, and so improve service user care and public protection
- consider how staff and team care can be enhanced by using this model.
Who is it for?
This event is relevant for all professionals tasked with leading or influencing other colleagues, teams or systems supporting service users with complex needs and/or high risks.
Some feedback from the last run of this event (April 2026):
“The training was well delivered, engaging, all within a psychologically safe context in which to learn. As a CAT practitioner since 2016, it was a really valuable space to reflect on the application of CAT for understanding systems and teams. Thank you.”
“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.”
Facilitator
David Harvey is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Cognitive Analytic Therapy Practitioner. He worked firstly in forensic inpatient and community services in Yorkshire. More recently he has been developing psychological services overseas. Over the last twenty years he has worked in services supporting people with complex mental health needs, who may pose a risk of harm to others or themselves. This includes work with the NHS, Probation, Courts, Children’s Services and Prisons.
David has a particular interest in how effective working and proportionate risk management can become disrupted when professionals, services and organisations are managing their own powerful emotional reactions to the work. Such dynamics can arise through work with people with clinical presentations that can challenge services, such as those likely to attract diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’. David has become increasingly attracted to how the application of psychological theory, including CAT, outside of the therapy room may be one way in which the multiple and complex needs of many stakeholders can be considered and carefully balanced.
He has taught on these topics and also published associated chapters. These include two publications in 2024:
- Oxford Handbook Of Cognitive Analytic Therapy and
- Innovative Practice in Forensic Settings: A Cognitive Analytic Approach to Effective Relational Work.
Online platform
The event will be delivered over the Zoom platform.
Group Size
A maximum of twenty-five participants can attend this course.
Booking Information
We advise early booking to secure your place. You can join a waiting list once the day is fully subscribed, in case of cancellations.
For online booking, follow the link below. When you pay online, you will automatically receive a receipt. You can also request a receipt from the Catalyse administrator.
If you require invoicing, there is an additional charge of £20.00. Please contact the administrator to inform us that you intend to book. You may download the booking form by scrolling to the end of this page. (Please note that for invoiced applications, if the paying organisation has not settled the invoice within 60 days of the invoice date, the delegate will be liable for payment of this fee.)
Terms and Conditions
Please ensure you read and understand our terms and conditions.
