An exploration of group cognitive analytic therapy for anxiety and depression
Abstract
Objectives Cognitive analytic therapy has been shown to be an effective psychological treatment for a range of differing presentations but little research to date has focused on the use of Group CAT (GCAT). The aim of this study was to explore the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of GCAT for clients with mood and anxiety disorders in primary care. Design This study utilized a mixed method design. Method A 12-session GCAT programme was developed covering key CAT concepts. The structure reflected the three phases of CAT - reformulation, recognition, and revision. Participants completed outcome measures pre- and post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Acceptability was reported using session attendance and participant feedback in addition to asking clients to rank the utility of CAT treatment components. A therapist interview was also completed. Results Fifty-five per cent of clients completed the treatment, and feedback suggests that GCAT is an acceptable and feasible intervention for a primary care population. Clients also reported on the utility of specific CAT treatment components. Clients demonstrated positive change on a number of outcome measures. Conclusions Group cognitive analytic therapy shows promise as an acceptable and feasible treatment for clients with mood and anxiety disorders presenting to primary care services. Further larger and more controlled studies are indicated. Practitioner points The study supports the idea that GCAT is an ac…
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Recent studies showed cognitive analytic therapy was effective in abating depression and anxiety in patients with chronic conditions.
“Recent studies showed CAT was effective in abating depression and anxiety in patients with chronic conditions.10,11”
From A randomized controlled trial of cognitive analytic versus compassion-focused therapy for PTSD in Iran-Iraq War Veterans. (2024) · cites this paper as [11]
More high-quality evidence on the efficacy of cognitive analytic therapy for the management of psychological conditions is needed.
“However, more high-quality evidence on the efficacy of CAT for the management of psychological conditions is needed.10,11,13”
From A randomized controlled trial of cognitive analytic versus compassion-focused therapy for PTSD in Iran-Iraq War Veterans. (2024) · cites this paper as [11]
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- Authors
- Martin, E., Byrne, G., Connon, G., & Power, L.
- Affiliations
- Health Service Executive (IE)
- Corresponding author
- Martin, Elaine
- Venue
- Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2020-09-26
- Volume
- 94
- Issue
- S1
- Pages
- 79-95
- ISSN
- 1476-0835 (ISSN-L)
- 2044-8341
- OpenAlex
- W3088532426
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 1.69
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Keywords
- cognitive analytic therapy, anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, primary care, treatment acceptability, treatment feasibility, treatment effectiveness, reformulation, recognition, revision
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Cognition, Depression, Humans, Psychotherapy
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