Around 150 people came together on 10th March, 2017 to celebrate the life and work of Tony Ryle. As Trustees of ACAT, we wanted the day to be a mixture of memories of Tony and of new developments and hopes for the future. The day went smoothly, without a hitch - apart from the very expensive flower display that I had ordered getting stuck in traffic and being delivered late. Even this may have been to Tony’s liking as, according to his family and those who knew him well, he would not have wanted any flowers or fuss in any case!
The day felt like a coming together of all of those who love CAT and I think people were moved and inspired in equal measure.
Having spent months organising the day, and choosing some of my personal favourite speakers, it is hard for me to judge the content. Also, we did not collect any formal feedback, so I have asked a few people to give me their reflections of the day itself:
"It felt good to be part of something which each of us there felt passionate about. I thought the day perfectly balanced a “thank you and goodbye” to Tony, with a celebration of the therapy that he founded"
“The Tony Ryle Memorial Day worked really well. The day was a mixture of interesting stories, intellectual stimulation and a great deal of warmth. It felt good to be part of something which each of us there felt passionate about. I thought the day perfectly balanced a “thank you and goodbye” to Tony, with a celebration of the therapy that he founded.
Some speakers, such as Donald Bermingham, Anna Jellema and Mikael Leiman, reflected on their time with Tony and it was great to hear stories from the early days. Then there were presentations from current therapists with new ways of working, such as Steve Potter and Alison Jenaway, showing how CAT is evolving, and also some research from Steve Kellett showing how, as a therapy, we are still looking to make sure that what we do works as efficiently as possible. There was even a talk by someone who had just completed their training. I enjoyed the video clips of people reflecting on their connections with Tony.
In some ways, the whole day was like a letter to CAT - a chance to reflect on what has happened, to look at where we are now, and to think about where we might be going in the future. It was also a great opportunity to see familiar faces. It left me feeling inspired all over again by CAT.”
“I was so glad that I went to Tony’s memorial day. I had never met him and so it was a real pleasure to hear about him from people who had obviously known him well and whose clinical work he had influenced in such an important way. He was obviously revered for his intelligence, creativity and determination to bring a coherent theory and practice based model of therapy into the NHS to help people with relational difficulties; but he also came across as a very “real” person - with all the attendant complexities to his character that we all have. And I liked him all the more for this!”
"The diversity of voices and perspectives testified to the strength and depth of the legacy, both within the CAT model, and more widely."
“The day of celebrating the work and life of Tony Ryle was a rich and moving mix of looking back and looking forward. First encounters with Tony and his ideas were warmly and honestly described. The diversity of voices and perspectives testified to the strength and depth of the legacy, both within the CAT model, and more widely.
Michael Leiman gave an inspiring account of both the clinical precision and intellectual adventure of working with Tony Ryle in the early days. There were engaging accounts from newcomers to the model, and of the determination involved in researching CAT. Although it might have been judged a day for those long involved in CAT and in the work of ACAT, there were very positive responses from trainees attending the day (a great day to see the model come alive) and outsiders who were impressed by the fond, and open relationship between a community of practitioners and its father figure.
The day ended with an impressive “open mic” session (accompanied by a glass of wine) which, with its lack of structure, could have fallen flat, but which offered a rush of voices and perspectives - not all in harmony - on what an open, lively and creative legacy the founder of CAT had achieved.”
Thanks to you three for your thoughtful comments.
At the end of the formal part of the day, Liz McCormick led us in a mindful moment, encouraging us to notice what words came to us about the day - my word was gratitude, both to Tony Ryle for his incredible gift of CAT, but also to all of those who supported me in putting the day together, and agreed to contribute. Finally we ended with music, and what Glenys Parry described as “dialogic Bach” played by Stella on the oboe and Jason on the violin. This was yet another reminder of how talented the CAT community is in so many different ways.
And finally a 'word cloud' created from the Legacy Day (with thanks to Steve Kellett):
