ABSTRACT
Recognition is the task within Cognitive Analytic Therapy in which the client, having gained an understanding of their reciprocal roles and reciprocal role procedures, develops an increasing awareness of when these problematic patterns occur. At the start of therapy the client is likely to have limited understanding of their procedures and ‘find themselves’ repeatedly in situations or patterns of unhelpful behaviours without an awareness of how or why they got to that point. The aim of recognition can therefore be seen as developing awareness of factors that are within a client’s control, leading to an increased sense of hope and an ability to influence change. Recognition starts during the reformulation stage, as patterns and procedures are jointly identified through dialogue between the client and therapist, with procedures mapped in early sessions. The ability to develop recognition also needs to be considered within the client’s zone of proximal development.
