Objectives: This paper sought to conduct a meta-analysis of the effectiveness and durability of cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) and assess the acceptability of CAT in terms of dropout rates.Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: PROSPERO registration: CRD42018086009. Searches identified CAT treatment outcome studies eligible to be narratively synthesized. Pre-post/post-follow-up effect sizes (ESs) were extracted and synthesized in a random-effects meta-analysis. Variations in effect sizes were explored using moderator analyses. Dropout rates were extracted. Secondary analyses synthesized between-group ES from trials of CAT.Results: Twenty-five studies providing pre-post CAT treatment outcomes were aggregated across three outcome comparisons of functioning, depression, and interpersonal problems. CAT produced large pre-post improvements in global functioning (ES = 0.86; 95% CI 0.71-1.01, N = 628), moderate-to-large improvements in interpersonal problems (ES = 0.74, 95% CI 0.51-0.97, N = 460), and large reductions in depression symptoms (ES = 1.05, 95% CI 0.80-1.29, N = 586). All these effects were maintained or improved upon at follow-up. Limited moderators of CAT treatment effect were identified. CAT demonstrated small-moderate, significant post-treatment benefits compared to comparators in nine clinical trials (ES = 0.36-0.53; N = 352). The average dropout rate for CAT was 16% (range 0-33%).Conclusions: Patients with a range of presenting problems appear to experience durable improvements in their difficulties after undergoing CAT. Recommendations are provided to guide the further progression of the CAT outcome evidence base.Practitioner points: Large pre-post reductions in global functioning and depression outcomes and moderate-large reductions in interpersonal problems are evident after CAT. The effects of CAT appear durable, and interpersonal functioning significantly improves over follow-up time. CAT produces small-moderate benefits compared to trial comparators. CAT appears to be an engaging psychotherapy that maintains patients in treatment.