ABSTRACT
Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) recognises that how we relate to ourselves and others will have a major impact on our likelihood of experiencing mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and personality disorders. The aim of therapy therefore is to help the person to develop greater recognition of these recurrent patterns and to use this understanding to develop new ways of relating. Conducting therapy in a group setting creates an opportunity to work relationally with people on a different level to that which can be offered from individual therapy and to provide the context for this important work to take place. Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) groups reported in the literature vary in duration, structure and content. The additional benefits of offering CAT in a group is that it allows the attendance to group factors including universality; the recognition of shared experiences gives rise to a sense of ‘being the only one’ which in turn reduces feelings of isolation.
