Anthony Ryle, a British GP who later became a psychotherapist, developed cognitive analytic therapy (CAT). His aim was to a create therapeutic module that could easily be offered by the NHS, providing effective and affordable psychological treatment in as short a time as possible.
CAT combines cognitive theories, psychotherapy and Vygotskian explorations between language and thinking, and the link between historical, cultural and social factors on how we function. It encourages clients to explore their own resources and develop the skills to change destructive patterns of behaviour, and negative ways of thinking and acting. The therapy is short term (16 weeks), structured and directive, ie through diary keeping, progress charts, etc. The therapist works in collaboration with the client, focusing on changing maladaptive patterns of behaviour and teaching alternative strategies for coping. Attention is given to understanding the connections between childhood patterns, social input and their impact on the client as an adult. It includes keywords such as Snags, Dilemmas, Traps and Sequential Diagrammatic Reformulation.
Related UKCP modality sections:
Cognitive psychotherapies (CPs)
Humanistic and integrative psychotherapies (HIPS) |
