trauma cpt
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help people who have experienced trauma - particularly those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The goal of CPT is to help individuals understand how trauma has affected their thoughts and beliefs, and even more specifically to focus on the (false) stories and narratives that have emerged from traumatic events. Within the therapy, the goal is to replace unhelpful, distressing patterns of thinking with healthier, more balanced ways of thinking. CPT is typically delivered in a structured, short-term format (often around 12 sessions) and is focused on helping people process and make sense of their traumatic experiences. It can give people new language to tackle these skills not only in session, but also in their daily lives. Often CPT therapists loosely refer to it as a way for “clients to become their own therapists” because of the wide range of tools that can be learned throughout the process.
The therapy works by helping individuals identify "stuck points," or unhelpful thoughts, that have developed as a result of the trauma. For example, someone who has been in a car accident might have thoughts like, "The world is dangerous," or "I can never trust anyone to drive safely." These beliefs are often exaggerated or unrealistic, and they contribute to feelings of fear, guilt, and anger. Through CPT, individuals learn to challenge and reframe these thoughts, seeing the trauma more accurately and lessening its emotional hold.
An important part of CPT is examining how trauma affects core beliefs about oneself, others, and the world. Trauma can lead people to develop distorted views, such as "I am weak" or "People can’t be trusted." By working through these beliefs in therapy, mainly through indepth socratic questioning from the therapist, individuals can learn to adopt more realistic and self-compassionate perspectives. The therapist uses exercises and discussions to help the person connect their thoughts with their emotions and behaviors, making it easier to understand how their past experiences are impacting their present life.
CPT also involves writing about the traumatic event, which helps individuals confront their emotions and process the trauma in a safe environment. By putting the event into words, individuals can gradually reduce the emotional intensity of the memories. Over time, they can begin to understand their trauma more clearly and feel more in control of their responses. Ultimately, CPT helps individuals reduce PTSD symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and regain a sense of safety and empowerment in their daily lives.
*Citations:
Resick, P. A., Monson, C. M., & Chard, K. M. (2017). Cognitive Processing Therapy: A Comprehensive Manual. The Guilford Press.
Foa, E. B., Hembree, E. A., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2007). Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences. Oxford University Press.*
