What is Cognitive Analytic Therapy?

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) integrates cognitive (how we think and feel), relational (how we relate to others), and psychoanalytic (the unconscious) approaches into one effective intervention.

CAT focuses on understanding the problems you bring to therapy and the patterns behind them, taking into account the impact of your past experiences with others. These 'others' include family and other significant care-givers, as well as recognising the impact of our wider communities, and other social and cultural factors.

It is based on the idea that we all develop strategies to cope with difficult situations when we are young. These strategies - or patterns of thinking, feeling and acting - may have helped us at the time, but it may be that in the present day these strategies are keeping us stuck in the difficulties we are trying to manage.

CAT uses letters and maps (diagrams) as aids in understanding and recognising these patterns. Noticing these patterns can be the first step in changing learned beliefs.

I recommend having a look at the ACAT website www.acat.org.uk if you would like further information.