How can I be referred for CAT in the NHS?
Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) is one of several talking therapies offered in the NHS. Therapists offering CAT work in many different services in both mental and physical health, across a wide range of ages. Some work in services for people with learning and other disabilities.
NHS Talking Therapies Services (England)
Most areas in England now have a first line Talking Therapies service for common mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Some Talking Therapies services may offer CAT, or CAT-informed therapy, It is worth asking your local provider whether or not CAT is included in their offer. CAT is not always available directly from referral by your GP, and you may need to have accessed what's on offer through the Talking Therapies services first.
However, some recent research showed that people offered an 8-session CAT therapy in Talking Therapies service s (then called IAPT) had outcomes that were just as good as people who’d had cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CAT seemed to be more acceptable to clients in the study, who were more likely to complete the course of therapy than those having CBT.
You can refer yourself directly to many Talking Therapies services in England. This can be through a phone call, or by filling in a online form. Sometimes you have to see your GP or another health professional in order to access psychological therapy. This is always an option if you would prefer to talk through options with someone. You can find out which Talking Therapies services are in your area by visiting the NHS Direct website – click here to find the search page for Talking Therapies in your area.
It may be more likely that you can access CAT once you have had an assessment through Talking Therapies services or completed a different initial therapy. Sometimes that is a first step on a pathway of accessing a different “tier” of psychological therapy. For example you may be referred on to a psychotherapy service, or into a community mental health team. Cognitive analytic therapy may be on offer through services like these.
Apart from asking your GP or other service providers, you may also find out whether CAT is offered in your local NHS Trust by searching on their website using 'Cognitive Analytic Therapy' and/or 'CAT Therapy' as search terms.
Expansion of NHSE-funded training in CAT
From 2023, as part of NHS England's Long Term Plan for the NHS, training in cognitive analytic therapy was expanded as part of more psychological therapies being provided for people with severe mental health difficulties. As those in training complete and qualify, this means that CAT may be even more available in a range of different NHS settings in England.
I don't live in England - what are my options?
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, access to talking therapies may be different. We suggest you discuss referral options with your GP.
Information for Northern Ireland
What if I’m not sure how to start a conversation about my mental health with my GP?
Not everyone finds it easy to speak about issues and problems which make you interested in having talking therapy. Sometimes it is useful to prepare something before seeing your GP, to help you raise what is concerning you. You could make a written list of things that are troubling you.
What else will help me get clear about the sort of therapy I want?
Another resource you might find useful is the C-NIP Inventory. This is a questionnaire that can help you consider the sort of therapy that you would prefer to have. You can find out more about the C-NIP by clicking on this link.
What if my GP, psychiatrist or other referring doctor doesn’t know about Cognitive Analytic Therapy?
If the person referring you for therapy is not aware of Cognitive Analytic Therapy, you can tell them about this website and invite them to take a look.
What if I need help urgently, now?
If you are in need of urgent help, are at risk of harming yourself or want to end your life, then you can seek urgent support through your local emergency services by calling 111 (for England, Scorland and Wales)
England - Call 111 - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/
Scotland - Call 111 - https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-support/get-urgent-mental-health-help/
Wales - Call NHS 111 Wales (option 2) - https://111.wales.nhs.uk/aboutus/Callnhsdirectwales/
For Northern Ireland, please refer to the link below https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/mental-health-emergency-if-youre-crisis-or-despair
This article was first published on ACAT's Public Engagement Pilot Site on 24th January 2019 before being updated and transferred to this new ACAT site.
Accessing Talking Therapy in the NHS by ACAT Public Engagement Team
CC BY-SA 4.0
Illustration on this page: Caring-To-Cared For by Emma
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0