Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Cognitive Processing Therapy recognises that that it is normal for people to have psychological reactions to traumatic events and, over time, these reactions generally resolve without intervention. 

In the CPT model, PTSD occurs when something gets in the way of the natural recovery after trauma.  Often it is a person’s beliefs about why the traumatic event happened that causes them difficulties.  These beliefs cause people to feel strong emotions, which then tends to lead to avoidance (of anything associated with the trauma) and then prevents clear thinking about it.

CPT focuses on the person’s understanding of the traumatic event and their experiences in the aftermath.  It’s aimed at helping people develop more helpful and balanced beliefs about the trauma.

Cognitive Processing Therapy has shown to be an effective psychological treatment for PTSD across a variety of different types of trauma, and with multiple or complex traumatic experiences.

Trauma can change the way you think about yourself and the world. You may believe you are to blame for what happened or that the world is a dangerous place. These kinds of thoughts keep you stuck in your PTSD and cause you to miss out on things you used to enjoy. CPT provides you with a new way to handle these upsetting thoughts by learning skills that can help you find more helpful ways to think about your trauma and decide whether or not it makes sense to take a new perspective.

Most people who complete CPT show a noticeable improvement in PTSD symptoms within 12 sessions, but this can vary from person to person.

You will learn about common changes in beliefs that occur after experiencing trauma, which can include beliefs about safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy, as well as be able to challenge unhelpful beliefs and thoughts.