Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a short term evidence-based treatment for PTSD and other related disorders. CPT is based in cognitive theory and helps individuals to recognize the impact that the traumatic event has had on their thoughts and beliefs, feelings and behaviors.
CPT for PTSD helps individuals recognize the ways their thoughts may be keeping them “stuck” from recovery. CPT does this by helping individuals examine and change unhelpful thoughts and feelings related to the traumatic event.
Who can benefit from CPT?
Individuals who have been impacted and are experiencing PTSD symptoms due to a traumatic event including but not limited to:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Assault
- Threats
- Military combat
- Being a witness to violence or death.
CPT has been used with a wide range of individuals and often individuals with comorbid disorders such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders and substance abuse.
How Long Does CPT Take?
Cognitive Processing Therapy is a short term treatment that is protocol based and can be delivered in 12 weeks on average. CPT can be delivered through weekly or twice a week sessions.
What Can I expect during Cognitive Processing Therapy?
CPT sessions are structured and typically take around 50 minutes to complete. They can be offered in once a week or twice weekly visits. Individuals will have the option to either complete CPT or CPT +A which allows individuals to write a narrative about their experience.
CPT for PTSD works by first helping individuals understand their PTSD symptoms and how our thoughts and behaviors may make them “stuck”. The first phase of treatment helps individuals to learn ways of identifying and examining their thoughts. Individuals are additionally provided with at-home weekly practice assignments to help identify and challenge their unhelpful thinking patterns.
The second phase of treatment includes looking at thoughts that may have had an impact on the individuals beliefs system about themselves and others in the following area: Safety, Trust, Power/Control, Intimacy, and Esteem.
More information can be found at CPTforPTSD.com.
(Resick , PHD et al., 2017)
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How to Get Started with CPT?
To get started with Cognitive Processing Therapy, contact us at 412-322-2129 or fill out the form below.