Cognitive Analytic Therapy•For Parents

Supporting Change Without Reinforcing Patterns

Practical guidance for parents on recognising when family dynamics may be maintaining difficulties, and how to respond differently.

Practical guidance for supporting your child's CAT therapy without accidentally reinforcing unhelpful patterns.

Understanding patterns at home

Your child is learning to recognise their patterns. You can help by: • Noticing when patterns seem to be happening • Naming them gently: "I wonder if this is that pattern we talked about?" • Not taking it personally when patterns get triggered • Celebrating when they try something different

The therapy relationship

CAT therapists pay attention to patterns that show up in the therapy relationship itself. This is a feature, not a bug — it helps your child see their patterns in action.

Avoiding common pitfalls

Don't try to be the therapist — you're the parent
Don't use therapy language to criticise: "That's your pattern again"
Do ask the therapist how you can help
Do be patient — patterns don't change overnight