Understanding Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Trauma and PTSD
- Dr. D. Levy
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Life can throw unimaginable challenges our way. Sometimes, those experiences leave deep wounds. Trauma can reshape how we see ourselves and the world around us, leading to difficulties with emotions, relationships, and daily life. If you're navigating the aftermath of trauma, there are effective paths toward healing. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is one of them.
Cognitive Processing Therapy is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related symptoms. Developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Patricia Resick, with significant contributions from Drs. Candice Monson and Kathleen Chard, CPT is grounded in cognitive-behavioral principles. It helps people identify and reframe unhelpful beliefs related to traumatic events, called "stuck points," that can interfere with recovery.
Originally developed for survivors of sexual trauma, CPT has since been widely adapted and validated for use with veterans, active-duty service members, and civilian trauma survivors. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for example, has been a leader in advancing the use of CPT in clinical settings. Through rigorous research and extensive clinical implementation, the VA has helped demonstrate CPT’s effectiveness in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving quality of life.
The therapy typically unfolds over approximately 12-14 sessions, during which clients learn how to evaluate and challenge distressing thoughts related to the trauma. These thoughts often center on themes like safety, trust, power, control, esteem, and intimacy. CPT provides an opportunity for clients to retell or write about the trauma, providing a forum to process thoughts and feelings around the experience openly and non-judgmentally.
The goal of CPT is not to "forget" the trauma but to help individuals understand its impact, regain a sense of control, and move forward with their lives. Research has shown CPT to be effective in both individual and group formats, and it is now considered one of the gold-standard treatments for PTSD. For those struggling with trauma, CPT offers a structured, compassionate, and research-supported path to healing.
More information and resources are available through the VA’s National Center for PTSD.
