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Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a specialized, evidence-based approach designed to help individuals recover from the lasting impact of traumatic experiences. Many people who have experienced trauma find that their thoughts about the world, themselves, and others become "stuck"—leading to feelings of fear, guilt, shame, or anger that prevent them from moving forward.
How CPT Works
CPT is not about reliving the trauma in detail. Instead, it focuses on the here and now. The core of this approach involves identifying and challenging the "stuck points"—the unhelpful or distorted beliefs that may have developed as a result of the trauma.
By working with a therapist to examine these beliefs, you can:
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Identify how your thoughts influence your emotions and behaviors.
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Evaluate whether your current beliefs are serving you or holding you back.
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Replace restrictive patterns of thinking with more balanced and accurate perspectives.
This process is highly effective because it empowers you to regain a sense of agency and control, allowing you to process the traumatic event in a way that allows it to fade into the past, rather than dictating your present.
A Focused Approach to Healing
CPT is a structured, short-term intervention designed to be efficient and goal-oriented.
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Time Commitment: The therapy typically spans 7 to 15 sessions.
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Structure: Because of its focused nature, you and your therapist will have clear goals for each session, allowing you to see tangible progress throughout the course of treatment.
If you are looking for a path to healing that provides concrete tools to manage the aftereffects of trauma within a clear, manageable timeframe, CPT may be the right approach for you.
Getting Started
How do I know if CPT is right for me?
Get in touch with me for a free 15-minute consultation, where we can discuss your situation and ensure that this is the right treatment for your concerns.
Time Commitment
Most clients complete CPT in 7 to 15 50-minute sessions. These sessions can be completed weekly or more frequently depending on our schedules.
Do I have to talk about what happened?
In CPT, you are always in the driver’s seat. While the goal is to process the trauma, you actually have two pathways to choose from: the written account version or the non-written version.
In the non-written version, we focus entirely on your current thoughts and "stuck points" without you having to write out or read back a detailed narrative of the event. Both versions are equally effective and usually completed within 7 to 15 sessions. Whether we dive into the specific details of the "what" or focus strictly on the "how" it’s affecting you today is a choice we make together based on what feels right for you.