The CAT model of psychotherapy has developed over twenty-five years at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals. The central concept is that the therapist and client collaborate over the aims of the therapy and that this process involves positive and active engagement from both the therapist and the patient. In this way CAT can offer solutions in a short amount of time: from as little as eight once weekly sessions to sixteen or twenty-four sessions. |
| Before starting therapy most people choose to have an initial consultation session without any obligation to continue. This is an opportunity to ask questions, to share any concerns and to receive a full explanation. |
| The needs of the client are paramount. If you choose CAT a pre- agreed time limit for the duration of therapy is collaboratively agreed. If you choose the gentler pace of the longer-term psychodynamic approach you may be thinking about a longer term investment of money but you will have the increased stability of knowing that your therapy is ongoing fro as long as you need it. For both models of therapy a once weekly commitment, at a mutually agreed time and place (with the exception of planned holidays), is required. It is normal to give at least two weeks notice when deciding to finish therapy. |
Everyone is different and as the closure of the mutually agreed number of therapy sessions approaches we will consider your ongoing individual needs and preferred options. Some people decide to have some top-up sessions on a less regular basis, while others don’t feel the need to come back, but it is usual to have a follow up session two to three months later.
You might like to consider an integrated form of cognitive analytic therapy and music therapy: (CAMT). I have developed and practiced this approach over five years. CAMT provides a richly holistic therapeutic experience, which makes space for musical self-expression. The jointly created musical component can help towards balancing emotions with thoughts and logic.
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What will be expected of me?
Starting therapy is a significant decision that requires some commitment. The therapist is ethically bound to treat you with respect and empathy. I will aim to help you to feel at ease and gradually to understand yourself better. It may take a while to develop trust in the confidentiality of the sessions and to get to know your therapist. Therapy can be a gradual process of development and change. For this reason we meet weekly to maintain a consistent approach.
How might cognitive analytic therapy help me?
CAT involves developing therapy ‘tools’ during the course of the therapy. These are made in the form of diagrams and letters. They help to provide structure and a focus to the agreed target problem to be addressed in the therapy. The therapist will prepare a ‘reformulation’ letter for you. This is specific to CAT therapy and should help to give you a clear understanding of the problems being addressed during your treatment. A diagram will also be developed. This helps to develop understanding of your ways of coping with yourself, others and the world. You can also choose to draw or to make music during the sessions. To get satisfactory results in a short period of time the therapist will help you to focus on your main issues. The tools should remain useful to you after the therapy has finished.
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