Dr Alison Jenaway

Cognitive Analytic Therapy approaches in people on the Autistic Spectrum

Dr Alison Jenaway & Dr Theresa Turner

We will present a very brief overview of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) with a focus on visual mapping of relationship roles, discuss the possible advantages of using CAT ideas in people on the autistic spectrum, and then illustrate the process of the therapy with a couple of clinical cases.

Dr Alison Jenaway is a consultant psychiatrist in psychotherapy in the liaison psychiatry department, Addenbrooke’s Hospital.  She is an experienced CAT therapist and supervisor and is currently Chair of the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy.  She was previously the psychiatrist for the Cambridge University Counselling Service and continues to see a small number of students in her private practice.  This work, and working with patients with medically unexplained symptoms, triggered an interest in using CAT with people on the autistic spectrum.

Dr Theresa Turner is a BPS chartered psychologist and member of the subdivision of forensic psychology. She works in private practice as a neurodevelopmental specialist for the Oxford Autism and ADHD Clinic and a forensic neurodevelopment specialist for the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Turner has worked as a senior psychologist for the Autism Diagnostic Research Centre in Southampton and the National Autism Unit at Bethlem Hospital. She is also in her second year of the Brighton CAT practitioner course.