Bespoke Training Programmes for Staff Groups
Tailor-Made Training Programmes
Training programmes can be tailor-made for staff depending on context.
Some example courses available include:
- Mental Health Awareness,
- Staff Wellbeing,
- Working within psychologically informed environments,
- Working with specific groups of adult populations with particular challenges, including self harm
- Improving relating/working relationships between staff,
- Conflict resolution,
- Clinical Supervision issues,
- Solution Focussed Therapy,
- Motivational Interviewing,
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy,
- Cognitive Analytic Therapy informed work,
- Aspects of Leadership and Management and
- Staff Relations
Contact us for other areas of interest.
Staff training in Psychology for different settings
We can design tailor-made staff training packages for use in different settings: corporate, social and care settings.
Any organisation employing staff can benefit from psychological input by trained, experienced professionals.
2-Day Introduction to Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) Course
Wednesday 5th July AND Thursday 6th July 2023
Training for qualified mental health staff, counsellors, etc: – a 2-day Introduction to Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) course, Birmingham.
Introduction to Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)
Wednesday 5th July AND Thursday 6th July 2023, 9.15 am – 4.30 pm
Venue
Birmingham B17 9RD, Harborne Village Social Club, 3 Serpentine Rd, Harborne
This exciting 2-day learning experience offered an introduction to the CAT model and skills.
Suitable for all psychological practitioners and those with a background in working therapeutically.
Course Topics
- Overview of CAT Theory Including Key Concepts and Ideas: CAT as an integrative approach, how CAT developed, CAT terminology and concepts – including Reciprocal Roles, Problem Procedures (Snags, Traps, Dilemmas)
- Introduction to CAT Practice: The workshop will provide an overview of the typical features of CAT in practice, including Reformulation (including Reciprocal Roles & patterns of self-management as attempts to cope), the different phases of therapy, the therapeutic relationship, the aims of CAT therapy and constructing goals, developing CAT ‘tools” (i.e. reformulation diagrams/maps & letters), therapeutic strategies & techniques, the use of self and working with transference, repairing ruptures, endings and ‘goodbye’ letters.
- Learn about CAT as a way to build & keep good therapeutic relationships.
We aimed to
- Help understanding and engaging clients with problems in relating
- Facilitate working with clients where your usual approach is stuck
- Add to your existing practice; help people with relational problems more successfully
- Introduce/Re-introduce you to CAT, its theory, methods and techniques
Gave participants the opportunity to practice some CAT techniques.
- CAT brings together cognitive, object-relations based psychoanalytic ideas, and attachment theory in a model developed in the context of the NHS UK and, as such, will complement the skill set of practitioners using a variety of different psychological interventions.
- CAT is an integrative therapy with a particular focus on Reformulation which takes account of both ways of relating to others and patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour. The course includes theoretical overview, a range of case material and skills development exercises.
Past participant said
- “Excellent – enjoyable, engaging, accessible” (past participant).
We aimed for participants to have an enjoyable and productive 2 days; to increase your confidence and build your skills when working with all clients, including those who are often regarded as “hard-to-help”. If you think any of your colleagues might be interested, please alert them to this course.
Workshop Leaders
- Dr Jurai Darongkamas and Jeanette McLoughlin.
Cognitive Analytic Therapists, Trainers & ACAT accredited supervisors, Consultant Clinical Psychologists
The course facilitators are both experienced CAT Practitioners with many years of experience in the NHS as Consultant Clinical Psychologists.
Learning Methods
Mini-lectures, work in small groups, discussion, experiential learning exercises, build your skills through direct use and practice of CAT tools, use of participants’ own anonymised case material.
Who Is the Workshop For?
Qualified health professionals (e.g., CMHNs, Social Workers, O.T.s, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Counsellors, CBT therapists) who currently provide psychological therapies as part of their role and are interested in gaining an understanding of CAT. Previous experience of a related model (i.e., CBT, Psychodynamic) is preferable.
[The course is also aimed at individuals who wish to attend an Introductory Workshop to learn how to use some aspects of CAT to inform their current practice and for those preparing to apply to a 2-year part-time Practitioner Training Course in CAT.]
Course Fees
- £195 for the 2 days (certificates of attendance will be issued recognised by the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy). Individuals who have the relevant professional background can book direct on Eventbrite. If you wish for your employer to be invoiced, an administrative fee of £10 will be added. Please email admin@clinicalpsychologyservice.co.uk to reserve your place and to obtain the bank details for the BACs transfer to fully book your place. Please provide the appropriate name, email address and relevant details. Thank you. This is also advertised on eventbrite
Closing Date
- 30th June 2023 but places are limited (to enable good group discussion) so book your place early.
Drinks
- Hot drinks will be provided. There is an opportunity to either bring your own packed lunch or to buy lunch from shops nearby on Harborne High Street.
Biographies
Both Course Facilitators, Dr Jurai Darongkamas & Jeanette McLoughlin, have over 30 years of experience each, working with people with complex difficulties in the NHS.
Jurai worked in the NHS as a Clinical Psychologist for 33 years. She was a former director of the W. Midlands 2-year CAT Practitioner course. She is now director of the private service www.clinicalpsychologyservice.co.uk, Psychologist specialising in Psychotherapy, Senior Practitioner status (BPS). Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS).
Jeanette worked in the NHS for 30 years before retiring in 2018. She has a background in Adult Mental Health Services, working clinically with people with eating disorders and those with enduring interpersonal difficulties and worked as Professional Lead for Psychological Professionals in her final years of NHS employment. She now has a small private practice, is a CAT practitioner and Accredited CAT supervisor and has been an active member of MCAT for many years.
See our page on CAT or the professional association’s page for more details about this therapy approach (Note that the previous course in 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic; the content described is typical of the CAT Introductory courses provided)
CAT Practitioner Course Participant Feedback
- “The course has given me a framework and structure that can be used to support me with a complex client group” qualified psychologist training on W Midlands CAT Practitioner therapist course, first cohort.
- “I have learnt a huge amount which has enhanced all my work relating to clients. …” Clinical psychologist training in CAT
- “Therapy feels more genuinely collaborative, challenging but honest and respectful both for me and my clients…” Social worker training in CAT
- “It has proved to be stimulating in team discussions and helpful in managing difficult patients and in supervision of colleagues who are feeling stuck in their ‘model’ of treatment.” Professional Mental Health worker.
