CAT Practitioner Training: year one
Year one of the Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) practitioner training course provides an overview of the theory underlying the CAT model. It also offers the opportunity for hands-on, practical experience delivering CAT interventions, under supervision.
Who should apply
This course is suitable for mental health clinicians who work in public mental health settings, counselling services, or private practice who have a core degree in:
- occupational therapy
- psychiatric nursing
- psychiatry
- psychology
- social work.
In addition, post-qualification psychotherapy experience is required.
Course components
The year one course consists of:
As a trainee you must have access to suitable clients as well as permission from your workplace to offer CAT interventions under supervision. You will also be required to undertake your own personal CAT experience at some point during the two years of training. This can be a 16-session CAT intervention or a briefer therapy experience.
The aim is to develop the competencies required to be accredited as a CAT practitioner by the Australian and New Zealand Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ANZACAT). You may need to continue in CAT supervision to complete the required number of supervised classes or complete further assignments beyond the two years of the course to reach the level of competence required.
Course dates and assessment
Information about the workshop dates, assessment requirements and due dates are detailed in the year one course outline and course schedule.
Note that places are limited, and you need to pass all components of year one to apply for year two. In addition, depending on trainee numbers, the CAT practitioner training year one and year two courses may not run consecutively each year.
Location
The CAT practitioner training course is delivered at Orygen, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville. This may change to an online format in certain circumstances.
This training is not catered for, however, there is an on-site café for the purchase of drinks, snacks or meals.
Cost
The full price for year one of the course is $8,990.00 (paid in four instalments). This includes the training component and weekly CAT supervision. There is a reduction in cost if accredited CAT supervision (approved by the CAT course coordinator) is available within your team.
We’re pleased to be able to offer a discounted price of $8,170.80 for all clinicians working in Victorian public mental health services. If accredited CAT supervision (approved by the CAT course coordinator) is available within your team, a discounted price of $3,276.80 is available for Victorian public mental health services clinicians.
To apply
Applications for 2026 close at 9am on Friday, 31 October 2025.
To apply, complete the course application form and email it through to [email protected].
We'll let you know about the outcome of your application by the end of November 2025.
If you have any questions about the CAT practitioner training course or application process, please send us an email.