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How can I get to see a CAT therapist

Many CAT therapists (practitioners) and psychotherapists work in the NHS but not all localities have CAT services. It is sometimes offered in primary care.  There are many secondary care and specialist CAT services often for clients with complex needs. CAT may be available within some voluntary organisations providing therapy services, through private healthcare organisations as well as some university counselling services.  Your GP should be able to advise you on access to local resources and refer you on if you both feel it is appropriate.  There are therapists / practitioners and psychotherapists who provide CAT privately and you can find a link to the list of private therapists below.   

What Qualifications Can I Expect the Therapist to Have?

ACAT can confirm that all the therapists listed on the ACAT Register are accredited CAT Therapists / Practitioners or Psychotherapists.  Some therapists work privately, and some work in the NHS or other organisations.

CAT Therapists / Practitioners usually have either core training as a mental health professional (e.g. as a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist,) with a minimum of two years post-qualification experience, or previous training in counselling to an accredited level followed by a two year training in Cognitive Analytic Therapy with accreditation following successful completion.

CAT Psychotherapists have qualified as CAT Therapists / Practitioners and have undertaken an additional in-depth two year training leading to this qualification.

Members of ACAT adhere to a Code of Ethics and there is a formal complaints procedure to protect clients.  All practitioners and psychotherapists are in supervision for their clinical work.

To search the register for an Accredited therapist click here.

To find an Accredited Private CAT therapist click here.

So….

CAT was designed and has developed to help therapists form a respectful, trusting and open-minded relationship with each different client in order to establish a dialogue that explores the underlying meaning of identified problems and obstacles in a person’s life. Through collaboration and reflection on experiences in the therapy relationship and the person’s real life, new ways of dealing with problems, conflicts and distress can be tried out and become established. This can lead to real hope and change for the better for the client and for those close to them.

You may feel nervous about coming to talk to someone you have never met before about your problems.  This is natural and we aim to provide a safe and non-judgemental space in which you are able to talk about what is troubling you at your own pace, respecting of gender , sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, religion or other individual differences.  Our approach has always attempted to identify and build on people’s strengths and resources whilst at the same time enabling them to creatively look at and overcome their problems.

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