CAT within adult mental health inpatient settings

Abstract

Abstract Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) can be used to both understand the inpatient context as well as inform direct work with service users. In particular, the multiple self states model (MSSM) can provide a framework for supporting an ‘observing eye/I’ within inpatient units. At each level, there is scope to consider how the inpatient context (including responses of the staff team, the inpatient environment and wider systemic/organizational factors) may be reinforcing problematic procedures, fragmentation, and reducing or inhibiting reflective practice. This chapter describes how CAT has been adapted within two different inpatient settings; as a brief individual intervention within an acute inpatient unit, and within a specialist inpatient setting where CAT was used as an overarching clinical model. A framework with suggested guidelines for this work is offered. Whilst data from service evaluation presented lends support for this way of working, there is a clear need to develop the evidence base in this area.