Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)
CAT stands for Cognitive Analytic Therapy.
CAT brings together ideas and understanding from different therapies including analytic psychology and cognitive therapy.
It is a collaborative programme for looking at the way a person thinks, feels and acts, and the events and relationships that underlie these experiences (often from childhood or earlier in life).
The therapist works together with the client to recognise unhelpful or ineffective patterns and supports them to make adjustments and changes for the better.
CAT is particularly helpful in helping people recognise relationship patterns that continue throughout their life and are difficult to change without help.
CAT is different from CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) in its focus. Where CBT particularly focuses on the link between actions, thoughts, and feelings in the here and now, CAT also looks at the past. This allows the therapist to help the client focus on what their problems and challenges are, how they started, and especially how they are relational.
Who can CAT help?
CAT is a particularly helpful approach for people who struggle with a wide range of mental health problems including:
Addictions
Anxiety
Depression
Disordered eating
Obsessions and compulsions including OCD
Phobias
Relationship issues
Self-harm
Stress
Relationship issues that CAT may be able to help with include communication problems, conflicts or disagreements, trust issues, emotional distance, and difficulties with intimacy or emotional expression.
CAT can also be useful for individuals who have experienced trauma or abuse in their relationships and are struggling to cope with the aftermath. By helping individuals understand and change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, CAT can support them in building more fulfilling and satisfying relationships.
CAT can be particularly effective at addressing long-standing patterns of behaviour and helping individuals develop more adaptive coping strategies.
What does a Cognitive Analytic Therapy involve?
Once a thorough assessment has been carried out, a Cognitive Analytic Therapist (CAT) will typically use a range of different therapeutic exercises and techniques to help a person moved towards their values and goals. These may include self-reflection, journaling, role-playing, and other activities designed to help individuals gain insights into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
CAT therapists may also use techniques such as diagramming or mapping to help individuals understand the connections between different aspects of their lives and identify patterns or themes that may be contributing to their difficulties.
Overall, the specific exercises used in CAT will depend on the individual's needs and goals for therapy.
CAT Therapists at My Therapist Online
Dr Annahita Nezami - Chartered Counselling Psychologist
Dr Alexandra Jackson - Chartered Psychologist
Gabriella Clarke - Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
Karen Hunter Kriwald - Counsellor and Psychotherapist
We make finding the right therapist easy.
At My Therapist Online, we listen to the problems you are facing and match you with the right therapist for your individual needs. You can meet with them for a free initial consultation to be sure it is a good match before starting your therapy.