Treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy, also known as CPT, is a specific type of treatment used to alleviate symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is a highly structured form of treatment, which typically consists of twelve sessions, is grounded in cognitive theory, and works to assist the client in identifying, challenging, and changing thoughts and beliefs about the trauma, which are blocking them from moving forward (these are also known as stuck points). 

In the first session, education will be provided on the symptoms of PTSD, how CPT specifically targets and works to alleviate those symptoms and outlines the progress of each session. In addition, if there is more than one trauma associated with the PTSD symptoms, the client and therapist will also discuss which trauma event to process first.  

In the next six sessions, a series of different worksheets will be provided, which will build off each other gradually. These worksheets will provide the outline on how to identify, challenge and change one’s thoughts regarding the traumatic event. Finally, in the last four sessions, education will be provided on different categories of stuck points and how those categories (such as trust & power/control) relate to the original traumatic event. In addition, sessions will then focus on challenging any remaining stuck points which fall into the category being discussed that session.  

One aspect of CPT which should be kept in mind when considering this as a treatment option, is the amount of homework required. In Cognitive Processing Therapy, you will typically have between one and seven homework assignments between each session. The homework is a worksheet, which will be introduced and discussed during the session, and then provided to the client to be utilized throughout their week. At the following session, the client will bring their completed homework, which will be discussed in detail by the client and therapist.