An Introduction to Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) – A Relational Approach

This 3.5-hour workshop introduces Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), a relational approach that helps social workers understand and shift stuck patterns in practice. Learn practical tools to reflect on repeating dynamics and support change with compassion.

Live Online Workshop

Capability levels: Evolving, Established, Expert

Tired of hearing that the problem is 'in the person'? A relational approach helps us see complexity differently—by understanding how patterns between people keep things stuck. CAT offers a compassionate, practical way to make sense of these repeating dynamics and create room for change.

This 3.5-hour workshop introduces the core ideas of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), beginning with its central organising principle: everything is relational. CAT helps us notice the patterns we get caught in—often shaped by early experiences, individual and socio-cultural—and how these patterns show up between people, including between worker and client. Through the concept of reciprocal roles, CAT offers a compassionate and structured way to make sense of relational dynamics and support change.

Developed in the 1980s by Dr Anthony Ryle, CAT emerged from earlier work in the 1960s, integrating ideas from cognitive theory, analytic traditions, the social formation of mind, and dialogism. It brings together a focus on internal experience and external relationships to understand how psychological distress is maintained—and how change can happen collaboratively.

Designed for social workers who work with people experiencing complex mental health or psychosocial challenges, this workshop provides practical tools to help identify and respond to stuckness in therapeutic and service relationships. CAT is particularly effective when working with relational trauma, identity issues, and presentations that may not fit neatly within diagnostic frameworks.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Explain the concept of reciprocal roles and how these influence relational patterns in everyday and therapeutic interactions
• Have some practice of using a mapping tool to reflect compassionately and collaboratively with clients on how relational patterns may be repeated across contexts
• Apply CAT-informed thinking to explore and respond to relational stuckness in their practice with people experiencing complexity

Who should attend?

Social workers in mental health, child and family services, hospital or community settings who want to enhance their relational practice and develop a reflective, structured way of understanding complexity. No prior CAT knowledge is required.

This Workshop is not recorded; however, you will have access to materials and resources on AASW Online Learning for 4 weeks after the completion of the workshop.

AASW Credentials: Mental Health; Clinical