Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD & Trauma
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CBT) is a proven, evidence-based approach specifically designed to help people heal from trauma and PTSD. If you’ve tried traditional talk therapy without results, that’s not your fault—trauma requires a specialized approach. CPT has been shown to help you:
- End intrusive memories of your painful past
- Reclaim your self-esteem and happiness
- Feel safe and trust again in relationships
- Silence negative self-talk and eliminate shame
It’s Not You – It’s Your Brain
When you experience trauma, your brain can get stuck in survival mode—constantly scanning for danger and reacting with fear or anxiety, even when you’re safe. These automatic responses make you feel overwhelmed and out of control. CPT helps you understand how your brain processes trauma and gives you the tools to shift your thinking. By learning new ways to approach your thoughts, you can reduce anxiety, silence intrusive memories, and regain emotional control.
Skills to Reclaim Control
CPT teaches you practical skills to reprocess trauma in a way that turns off the negative thought loops that keep you stuck in the past. With these skills, you’ll learn to focus on the present and begin to take back control over your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. These tools will help you handle triggers and stressful situations in your daily life, giving you the confidence to move forward.
Overcoming Trauma Through a Structured Approach
CPT is a structured form of therapy designed to help you challenge the negative thought patterns that drive trauma responses like fight, flight, or freeze. Each session builds upon the last, guiding you through specific exercises that teach you how to confront and reframe distorted beliefs about yourself and the world. This structured approach allows you to heal from trauma in a safe and supportive way, helping you restore balance in your relationships, work, and personal life.
Kelly’s Story: Reclaiming Control After Trauma
When Kelly first reached out, she appeared to have it all—a successful career, a loving family, and supportive friends. But behind the scenes, she was struggling with intrusive memories of a college assault, sleepless nights, and constant anxiety. Her mind raced with thoughts of what she should have done differently, and she felt like her life was unraveling.
Despite her outward success, Kelly was exhausted, irritable, and terrified of losing control. She didn’t understand how something from so long ago could still have such a grip on her.
A Transformational Experience with CPT
Kelly wasn’t sure if therapy would work, but she decided to give CPT a try. She quickly realized that this therapy was different—structured, practical, and focused on results. With weekly exercises and homework, she began learning how to challenge her negative thoughts and reprocess her trauma.
Within weeks, Kelly noticed a shift. She felt less overwhelmed by her memories, her sleep improved, and she regained a sense of calm. The tools she learned in therapy became second nature, allowing her to manage stress in real-time and stop intrusive thoughts from taking over.
By the end of her CPT journey, Kelly had taken back control of her life. She could think about her past without being trapped by it and felt empowered to face the future with confidence.
*Kelly is a composite of several people I have worked with and helped over the years. I removed personal and identifying information to protect the privacy of the Kellys with whom I have worked.
Real Results, Backed by Research
CPT has helped countless individuals reduce their PTSD symptoms, regain control of their emotions, and restore their sense of safety and self-esteem. As a proven, evidence-based practice, CPT has been endorsed by:
- The Department of Veterans Affairs
- The Department of Defense
- The American Psychological Association
CPT has earned recognition as the gold standard for the treatment of PTSD and sexual trauma.
What Is Cognitive Processing Therapy Like?
Sometimes, hearing from someone who’s been through it can make all the difference. This American Life published an episode where a journalist enrolled in CPT to address her history of trauma. In the podcast, she shares her sessions and experiences, giving you a firsthand look at what Cognitive Processing Therapy is like.
Start Your Healing Journey Today
Kelly’s story is just one example of how CPT can help you heal from trauma, reclaim your life, and move forward. You don’t have to live with the pain of the past any longer. CPT can help you reclaim control of your life and find peace.
Start your journey today—schedule a free 20-minute consultation to discuss how Cognitive Processing Therapy can help you heal from trauma and live the life you deserve.