ABSTRACT
Cognitive Analytic therapy (CAT) usually takes place over 16 sessions, or up to 24–30 sessions for clients with more complex presentations. Within CAT there are distinct tasks which are necessary to facilitate change for the client. These can be broken down into the three components: reformulation, recognition and revision. The reformulation phase may merge into recognition as the client starts to notice the presence of reciprocal roles or specific patterns as these are being discussed within early sessions, as confirmation of their validity. As its name suggests, the task of recognition is for the client to be able to notice and spot the patterns and procedures identified as part of the reformulation when they occur in everyday situations, as well as in therapy. Revision leads on to the final phase of ending, during which attention turns to preparation for the end of therapy.
