CAT practitioner training is a 2 year course leading to accreditation as a CAT practitioner / therapist by ACAT. The CAT Cymru Cognitive Analytic Therapy Practitioner / Therapist Course is run by accredited CAT supervisors, psychotherapists and practitioners. It is accredited by the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT).

Applications are now open for our 2025 intake. Applications will be accepted from Mental Health Nursing, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Social Work, Occupational Therapy. Other suitably qualified professionals will be considered. Applicants must usually have prior qualifications in a core profession and normally have a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience including experience of one-to-one therapy. We are able to accept applicants who do not have a core profession if they can provide a portfolio of evidence of experience including substantial one-to-one support. Applicants who believe they might meet this criteria should contact the course prior to application.

CAT is a focussed, time-limited psychological therapy suitable for a wide range of conditions and developed with the needs of NHS clients in mind.  Clients are usually seen for between 16 and 24 weeks, once a week for an hour.  CAT offers a collaborative way of working with the problematic ways a person thinks, feels and acts, by exploring events and relationships (often from childhood) that underlie their current experiences and maintain their problems.  CAT is tailored to a person’s individual needs and to his or her own manageable goals. It is a transdiagnostic therapy. CAT is a relational therapy that aims to enable recognition and facilitate change and gives clients tools and strategies for maintaining their progress.  For further information on CAT, see the website of the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT – www.acat.org.uk)

CAT Practitioner Training is a two year course and consists of the following elements:

1. Training days:  12 days per year.  The course is based in Beechwood House, Beechwood Park, Christchurch Road, Newport NP19 8AJ
2. Supervised practice: You will see eight cases for CAT under weekly supervision with an accredited CAT supervisor.  These cases will usually be of 16 weeks duration.  If your usual work is not in adult mental health you will be required to see some cases from an adult mental health setting. Supervision fees are not included as part of the course fee.
3. Academic requirements:  Two case reports and two essays are required over the two years to demonstrate your understanding of the model and of its application. You will have a course tutor with whom you can discuss this aspect of the course.
4. Personal Therapy: You will need to undertake a 16 week CAT therapy with an accredited CAT Practitioner or Psychotherapist.  This is not assessed in any way but is a course requirement as it is felt to be very important that you are able to reflect on your own experiences and how these impact on you as a therapist. Please note that this element of the course is not funded and you will need to pay for it yourself.

There are three members of the course core group, who will deliver the training in Newport.

Clare Fisher, Course Director  (D.Clin.Psy, CAT Psychotherapist, CAT Supervisor)

Rachel Akande, Co-Trainer (D.Clin.Psy, CAT Practitioner, CAT Supervisor)

Susie Black, Co-Trainer and Course Administrator (D.Clin.Psy, CAT Practitioner, CAT Supervisor).

In addition to the core group, we have a larger group of markers, supervisors and occasional guest trainers who also contribute to the running of the course.

Please contact susie@catcymru.uk if you would like to apply.