ArticlePilot and feasibility studies2024
The Relational Approach to Treating Self-Harm (RELATE): study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial study of cognitive analytic therapy for adults who self-harm versus treatment at usual.
Article in Pilot and feasibility studies, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Understanding factors that could influence feasibility and acceptability of brief CAT for adults who self-harm: A qualitative exploration using the theoretical framework of acceptability.Psychology and psychotherapy · 2026Trial
- Cognitive analytic therapy for self-harm with young people: protocol for the RELATE-YP feasibility randomized controlled trial.Pilot and feasibility studies · 2026Article
- Inpatient cognitive analytic therapy for functional neurological disorder: A mixed methods four-phase single-case experimental design.Psychology and psychotherapy · 2025Article
- Cognitive Analytic Therapy for Functional/Dissociative Seizures in an Adolescent: Case Report and Mixed-Methods Single-Case Evaluation.Reports (MDPI) · 2025Article
- "It's like I used to share a room with self-injury, but now it lives next door": Exploring experiences of naturalistic improvement in non-suicidal self-injury.Psychology and psychotherapy · 2025Article
- Solution-focused approaches for treating self-injurious thoughts and behaviours: a scoping review.BMC psychiatry · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundSelf-harm is a prevalent behaviour that has a major detrimental impact on a person's life. Psychological therapies have the potential to help, but evidence of effective interventions remains limited. Access and acceptability of interventions can also be a significant challenge, with individuals either being unable to access help or having to endure long waiting lists. Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) is a time-limited and relationally-focused psychotherapy that may provide a valuable treatment option for people who self-harm. This protocol outlines the methodology for the first feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) of CAT for adults that self-harm. The trial will aim to determine the feasibility, acceptability and safety of undertaking larger-scale evaluations of CAT for self-harm within an RCT context.
methodAn RCT design with 1:1 allocation to CAT plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Participants will be adult outpatients with three or more instances of self-harm in the past year (target sample of n = 60). CAT will be 8 one-to-one weekly 60-min sessions plus a follow-up session up to 8 weeks after the last session. Assessments will occur at baseline, 12 weeks and 18 weeks after randomisation. Qualitative interviews with participants will gain insights into the feasibility and acceptability of CAT. Feasibility outcomes will be judged against progression criteria. DISCUSSION: CAT may be an effective and accessible treatment option for people who self-harm, providing a more relationally orientated alternative to more behavioural therapies. The proposed feasibility RCT is an important first step in evaluating CAT as a treatment for self-harm.
trial registrationThe trial was pre-registered (21/10/22) on ISR CTN (ISRCTN code: ISRCTN75661422).
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