Cognitive analytical therapy
This is an integrative therapy as it uses concepts from psychoanalytic, object relations, personal construct and behavioural and cognitive therapy as developed by Ryle.
This model states people get involved in certain activities as a result of mental and behavioural ways of being. Thus when following their goals in life they meet different types of traps, dilemmas and snags due to their thinking and actions based on experiences in the past.
Snags are the reasons the client gives for not being able to change, eg ‘yes..but’ argument about current and past behaviour or unconscious self-defeating behaviour. Traps are patterns of thinking and behaviour that are concerning and there seems no way of changing eg a vicious cycle. Dilemmas are conflicts a client perceives and cannot break out of, where their experiences are chronically divided.
The psychoanalytic element involves the ideas of Freud, such as reacting to situations due to defence mechanisms as a result of early childhood encounters with parents and significant others. The cognitive aspect is the thinking behind the cognitive ‘editing’ influencing the traps, dilemmas and snags.
Cognitive analytical therapy uses a brief model (16hours) initially looking at the client’s history and current difficulties. The therapist helps the client to look at alternative ways to approach their problems and gives targets for the latter to enable change.
This therapy has a tight framework, including assessment, homework, client self-monitoring, checking progress; and the goals will be given to the client in a written format.
This therapy is suited to adults.