CAT Supervisor Training Workshop ~ 17-18 November 2022

Past Catalyse Events

ACAT accredited 2-day workshop in CAT Supervisor Training plus follow-up reflective group meeting

A 2-day workshop led by Mark Evans and Sarah Littlejohn

Hashtag: #CATsup22

Dates: 17th Nov and 18th Nov 2022 (plus follow-up reflective group meeting)
Time: 9:30am to 5:00pm
Venue: Oppidan, 1st Floor, 23 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HW (Northern Quarter)
Fees: ACAT member :: £275.00
non-ACAT member :: £290.00
(Invoicing can be requested and incurs an additional £15.00 fee)

The fee included lunch and refreshments.

Some feedback from this event:

“Time to think through issues, refresh and consolidate learning; exercises were well thought through – speed supervision & mock group supervision – both facilitators were excellent – time with CAT community & peers.”

Overview of workshop:

Catalyse offered this intensive 2 day workshop open to CAT Practitioners or those towards the end of training, interested in CAT supervision and developing as a supervisor. The workshop was also a valuable opportunity for experienced CAT supervisors to look more intensively at their own practice as part of their own CPD. However, it was particularly designed for trainee CAT Supervisors or CAT Practitioners thinking of training in supervision to become an ACAT Accredited Supervisor. Attendance at this and a follow-up reflective session fulfils the Part 1 ACAT approved Supervisor Training and forms part of the formal ACAT training pathway.

ACAT Accredited Supervisor Training

 Full details of CAT Supervisor Training can be found at this ACAT website link:  https://www.acat.me.uk/page/cat+supervisor+training

What did the training include?

The training offered an oportunity to develop relational supervisory competencies. It drew on Deborah Pickvance’s book ‘CAT supervision: a relational approach’ (Routledge, 2016). This  explores the relational approach to CAT supervision and challenges in the supervision relationship.

The training focussed on:

  • key aspects of supervision
  • building a supervisory alliance
  • use of self
  • parallel process
  • working with process in the room
  • supervision of development of CAT tools
  • dynamics in supervision groups
  • enactments and ruptures in supervision, and
  • ethical issues

Methods included mapping relational patterns common in supervision, with experiential exercises, and small group reflection. The trainers presented on core ideas and demonstrated skills. There was opportunity for role play, and mapping of personal supervisory style.

This course ran from 9.30am-5.00pm each day. It concludes with a follow-up reflective group to build on the learning and internalisation of the relational supervision skills. Participants agree a date for this collectively.

Who was the workshop for?

  • CAT practitioners, or those nearing completion of practitioner training
  • Those considering, or working towards completion of, training to become an ACAT-accredited supervisor
  • Experienced CAT supervisors wishing to refine their skills and practice

Facilitators

Mark Evans originally trained as a general practitioner before qualifying as a psychiatrist, then a consultant medical psychotherapist. Subsequently, he completed training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and then became a CAT psychotherapist in 2000. Mark has supervised trainees with a variety of experience and backgrounds, including for CAT practitioner training, for over twenty years. Alongside this, he was a principle trainer for Catalyse until 2020. He has a particular interest in CAT applications of the ‘Zone of Proximal Development’ (including in supervision). Mark completed a randomised controlled trial of CAT with bipolar disorder which was published in 2016.

Sarah Littlejohn originally trained as an integrative psychotherapist and qualified as a CAT Practitioner in 2001. Sarah went on to be accredited as a CAT Psychotherapist, and is also an accredited supervisor and trainer.  She’s a lead trainer for the Catalyse Practitioner Training and provides supervision for Practitioner trainees and others working with CAT. She has been a past chair of ACAT’s Training Committee and is currently co-chair of the Catalyse Executive. She is particularly interested in how CAT provides a framework for the early formulation of complexity, and uses of the therapeutic relationship.

Location

The workshop took place at Oppidan, 1st Floor, 23 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HW (Northern Quarter). The follow-up half day took place remotely, via Zoom.

Group Size

Places were limited to a maximum of twenty-five participants.