Overview / aims

Jason Hepple has many years’ experience of running CAT groups for harder to help clients in tertiary care. He has developed a ‘dialogic’ approach that uses CAT principles in a ‘slow open’ format where clients join the group for 52 sessions whenever a space is available. The CAT process centres on mapping, finding commonality amongst client stories and maximising the benefits of a group experience in terms of the group’s ability to witness and empathically respond to trauma and endings.

More recently Jason has written about the benefits of running CAT Reflective Practice groups as an alternative to Balint groups, where the CAT facilitator moves agilely between the roles of reflector, container, reformulator and educator.

The day will be divided between these two topics with both theoretical discussion and the chance to participate in a role-played client group and a CAT Reflective Practice group.

• Hepple J (2012) Cognitive Analytic Therapy in a group. Reflections on a dialogic approach. British Journal of Psychotherapy 28(4): 474-495

• Hepple J and Bowdrey S (2015) Cognitive Analytic Therapy in an open dialogic group – adaptations and advantages. Reformulation 43:16-19

• Hepple J (2019) CAT reflective practice groups. Reformulation 51 (current edition).

Learning objectives

• Understand the principles of a dialogic CAT group for clients

• Understand the principles of a CAT Reflective Practice Group

• Gain experience of a dialogic CAT group using role play

• Gain direct experience of a CAT Reflective Practice Group

This is suitable for:

Primarily for those with a background in CAT who wish to develop their ability to facilitate client and reflective practice groups.

Presenter

Jason Hepple MA (Oxon.) FRCPsych is a CAT psychotherapist and trainer and an ACAT life member. He is known internationally for speaking and teaching on CAT in later life, the dialogic heart of CAT, CAT in groups and CAT’s relational model of the self.

Practicalities

Closing Date: Monday 27th September but places are limited so book your place early. Refunds are possible but only up to 30 days before the event start day. If we have to cancel or postpone due to COVID19 restrictions we will offer a full refund.

Venue: The Deritend Training Room, St Martin's in the Bullring, Edgbaston Street, Birmingham, B5 5BB. This is in the centre of birmingham close to both bus and train stations. There will be a total of 15 participants plus the trainer in the room which has capacity for 50 people, so allowing plenty of space for group activities.

Refreshments: refreshments will be provided including a sandwich lunch. Please let the organiser know of any special dietary requirements by emailing jmcloughlin@khmpsychologypractice.co.uk