Forthcoming CPD Event
Effective & Respectful CAT with Neurodivergence: Day Two ~ Affirmative CAT Practice
The second of two linked day workshops on CAT with those who are neurodivergent. Day 2 is led by Emma Chorlton and Rachel Beckford
Date: Wednesday 27 January 2027
Time: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Venue: St Thomas Centre, Manchester, M12 6FZ
Fees: ACAT member :: £130.00
non-ACAT member :: £145.00
[Fee includes lunch & refreshments. Invoicing incurs an additional £20 fee.]
Overview of this workshop
Building on the learning from the preceding linked workshop held in November 2026, this day provides an opportunity to consider affirmative CAT practice in ongoing therapy with people who are neurodivergent.
The day uses group work, discussion and live supervision linked to real-life examples to consider the practical application of CAT where therapy is already underway. Anonymised examples will help Day Two participants think together about formulation, relational patterns, pacing, rupture and repair, endings, and adaptations to the therapy process.
Aims and learning outcomes
This second workshop will firstly:
- recap on knowledge and learning about neurodivergence from Day 1. This may include:
- recognising ways in which neurodivergence can present, especially in its more subtle forms, where high masking exists, and with equal consideration of the strengths and opportunities it may bring in addition to challenges
- connecting with one’s own knowledge, assumptions, experience, confidence and positioning in relation to neurodivergence, and what you may therefore bring to therapeutic encounters
- contemplating the relational impacts of neurodivergence having been repeatedly misunderstood or pathologised from a neurotypical perspective, and what this may mean for engagement in therapy
- inviting reflection and sharing on what adaptations you have made in your tools, your practice, or your own neurodivergence-related reciprocal roles since Day 1, or other learning in this area.
It will then go on to focus on the practical application of CAT where therapy is already underway. Through group discussion, live supervision and reflection on real-life clinical examples, you will have an opportunities to:
- bring into focus a range of possible reciprocal role patterns playing out in therapy between therapists and clients, including where these may have led to ruptures
- explore how you have, or might, navigate such ruptures within a CAT framework
- consider attentional processing differences between clients and therapists
- think about different experiences of reciprocity
- embrace creativity in CAT and working to neurodivergent people’s strengths
- discuss additional considerations for endings in CAT when working with neurodivergent clients
- consider what skills you could develop further to feel more confident in working with neurodivergence
You will leave with deeper awareness and confidence in this area of work, and practical ideas to take forward in your CAT practice.
Who is it for?
The day is primarily for both trainee and qualified CAT practitioners and psychotherapists. Trainee and qualified clinical and counselling psychologists are also welcome to attend. Participants need to have existing working knowledge of CAT concepts, tools and practices.
You do not have to commit to attending both days. However this Day 2 workshop will build on the learning from the preceding workshop in November 2026, so we encourage you to consider attending the first event in advance of this more clinically in-depth second day.
Facilitators
Emma Chorlton
Emma Chorlton is a Clinical Psychologist, CAT Practitioner and Supervisor. She also chairs the Intellectual Disability and Neurodiversity Special Interest Group. She regularly uses CAT with people with learning disabilities and/or autism, including in post-diagnostic autism therapy, and leads a CAT consultation pathway in a learning disability service. She has worked with autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities for around 14 years in assessment, diagnosis and therapy, using CAT in this context since beginning CAT practitioner training in 2016. Emma currently leads on post-diagnostic autism support in an NHS service developed and facilitated in partnership with autistic peer mentors. She is passionate about both CAT and taking a neuroaffirming approach to working with neurodivergent people.
Rachel Beckford
Rachel qualified as a Clinical Psychologist over thirty years ago and is an ACAT accredited CAT practitioner. She worked in the NHS for twenty-two years primarily in eating disorders and was clinical lead across a county before leaving in 2015. It is anticipated that somewhere between 30 -50 % of people with eating disorders also have autism but this was rarely identified.
Since leaving her NHS role, Rachel has been working in private practice and noticed that she was working with a significant number of people who appeared to be neurodivergent but undiagnosed. Rachel knew little about neurodivergence at this time. She learned how clients had often been misdiagnosed, and/or experienced discrimination from services. Many had struggled alone for many years believing that they were somehow “broken” or “lazy”. Using CAT, she started to realise that it seemed to be helping and bridging the gap that had not otherwise been provided. Many clients seemed to better understand themselves and started to work on changing relationship patterns. Rachel also noticed that as a result, rapport deepened and relationships that might have broken down became productive and positive.
Rachel has since developed skills and knowledge in this area through study, training courses, and specialist peer supervision. She also has lived experience of neurodivergence and personal experience of what can go wrong when we are ‘neurodiverse blind’. She is passionate about helping neurodivegent clients to make sense of their experience, seeing their strengths as well as challenges.
Group Size
A maximum of thirty places are available.
Venue
St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ
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
Before proceeding to book and pay for this event, please ensure you read and understand our terms and conditions.
