Workshop 5

‘Steering through Muddy Waters’. How CAT can help create a shared language, helping leaders to ‘feel well and do their jobs’

Facilitators

Jenny Marshall, Laura Bridges and Kate Freshwater 

Workshop Description 

This workshop is based on a range of organisational CAT projects along with the results of 3 papers which have been submitted for publication (authors Laura Bridges, Divine Charura, Jenny Marshall, Gemma Stamford, Melbee (Wen-Chieh) Lin). These include:

• ‘Steering forward through muddy waters’: using Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) tools to facilitate healthcare leaders’ understanding of organisational relational dynamics. (using CAT with the NHS staff survey)
• ‘Giving us a language to discuss our challenges’: mental healthcare staff experiences of using a cognitive analytic model to explore team relational dynamics and functioning  (Using CAT with two leadership teams)
• Helping NHS leaders to ‘feel well and able to do my job’: an interpretive phenomenological analysis of participating in a cognitive analytic reflective practice group (Using CAT with a leadership team)

The facilitators will share their work, personal reflections and research findings within the context of an NHS network of CAT Practitioners over a number of years. Participants will then have the opportunity to consider opportunities for organisational CAT within their own organisations. Outcomes may vary but we hope participants will leave feeling hopeful and inspired about engaging in the use of CAT in organisations and with leaders. We are also hopeful that the examples and dialogue and connection with peers will generate potential opportunities to take back to the workplace. 

Biographies

Jenny Marshall is a Consultant Psychologist and CAT Supervisor and Trainer. She works part time in a Trustwide role of the NHS and part time in private practice and with Catalyse. She has co edited two books on Reflective Practice in Forensic Settings and Innovative Practice in Forensic Settings using CAT principles. She is passionate about organizational use of CAT and sustaining reflective practice.

Kate Freshwater was a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and the Trustwide Lead for CAT in Teesside for 25 years. She has recently moved to Cornwall and continues to lead CAT in an NHS Trust, working as a CAT supervisor and trainer. She co-authored the chapter “Struggling Well: Using CAT to make sense of organizational hurt” with Sue Walsh, in the Oxford Handbook of CAT. She is passionate about enabling relational thinking in organisations, and spotting dolphins!

Laura Bridges is a Higher Assistant Psychologist based in the North East of England. Her research interests include investigating patient healthcare experiences and outcomes, clinical and organisational applications of cognitive and analytic psychological models, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and using collaborative and creative ways to engage the public with research. She was lead author on the 3 papers within this workshop.