Cognitive Processing Therapy

Healing Within Therapy offers CPT to treat  Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

 CPT is an evidenced based treatment that has been found to be very effective in treating PTSD.  CPT treatment is strongly recommended by the APA (American Association).  

How it works:

CPT works by challenging and changing "stuck" or unhelpful beliefs These beliefs we learn follow us into our adulthood and when something tragic happens, it can make us feel like it was our fault for what happened. 

 When this occurs, you may experience symptoms of PTSD which can include intrusive memories, thoughts, emotions, self-blame, avoiding people, events or things you used to enjoy.  Other symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares about the event or events or other symptoms that are impacting your overall functioning. 

Treatment process:

CPT is established as a 12-session treatment modality; however, treatment can take longer depending on individual circumstances. 

CPT is a very structured treatment, meaning sessions are twice a week, this is to ensure that the skills that you will learn are being used outside of treatment. 

 You will be provided with a series of informational handouts and worksheets to help you learn new skills to help you examine thoughts and to change unhelpful beliefs that are keeping you stuck and not allowing yourself to heal. 

What CPT does not do:

CPT does not have you   re -tell every specific detail about your traumatic event.  

 Instead, you will be asked to reflect on why you think the traumatic event occurred and beliefs that you have about yourself and how these align with what happened. 

At the beginning of treatment, a PTSD checklist will be given to determine how severe PTSD symptoms are and to ensure criteria is met to begin CPT treatment. 

Ongoing assessments will be given during sessions to track progress and to ensure PTSD symptoms are decreasing. 

 Who can benefit from CPT?  Anyone who has experienced a traumatic event and is showing symptoms of PTSD.  CPT is recommended for ages 14 and older. 

This may include veterans, first responders, sexual abuse/ assault victims, physical abuse victims, refugees or anyone who has been a witness to violence or death including military combat.