CAT is a medium term, time limited relational therapy which is has collaboration at the heart of the model. CAT is practiced widely across the NHS in a variety of settings. I like CAT as a model for therapy as it offers balance. There is some structure which helps keep a focus but there is also flexibility allowing the work to be suited to each individual and their unique situation. There is a balance between working in the ‘here and now ’looking at the main stresses currently in a persons life and taking a developmental perspective, trying to understand how a person has arrived at this place where they are in difficulty. There is a focus on how we relate to others (and why) and how we relate to ourselves (and why).

There is a balance between heart and mind. So I would aim to support someone emotionally whilst enabling and developing a capacity to think about the meaning behind our different emotions and how best to manage them. Understanding the ‘how ’and ‘why ’we see things the way we do is the first step to understanding how we can make changes, make wiser choices, invest in things that suit us rather than things which don’t.

For more details about CAT including a summary of research and evidence relating and people’s experience of therapy please look at the website cat.org.uk