Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a short-term, in-depth type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that focuses specifically on negative thoughts people have about themselves and the world due to trauma they experienced. CPT was developed specifically for people diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is a highly structured approach to therapy.
Each CPT session has a specific activity or goal in mind, designed to be implemented in one-hour sessions. First, your CPT therapist will talk with you about key concepts, including the effects of trauma and PTSD on mental health. After this, your CPT therapist will go through negative thoughts and how what’s referred to as your “stuck points” can make healing from trauma difficult. The next stages include recounting the details of the trauma you experienced, which CPT practitioners say is key to identifying related problematic thoughts about the self or the world that developed from the trauma.
Identifying stuck points is critical to the healing process. These unhelpful beliefs can contain untrue information, such as “I am a bad person and deserved for my trauma to happen to me.” Your therapist will work with you to challenge these thoughts. Challenging these stuck points can help you regain a sense of power and control over your thoughts, which can lessen trauma symptoms.
Learning positive coping skills is the final step in Cognitive Processing, where you and your therapist work together to establish activities that help you deal with trauma symptoms in ways that enhance your life and move toward your healing goals.
Therapists Who Specialize in Using Cognitive Processing Therapy
Hi there! I'm Dr. Saarah Kison. I am a trauma/PTSD expert, with additional specialty in depression and anxiety. Are you are struggling after a toxic relationship, abuse, assault , witnessing death or any traumatic event? Do you frequently think about the traumatic event, have nightmares or difficulty sleeping? Difficulty trusting, feeling safe or worthy? Feeling intense negative emotions like...
Perception Counseling Services (PCS) strives to provide clients with quality behavioral and mental health counseling where varying perceptions are acknowledged, but challenged to improve client’s personal journey to a healthier future. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the State of Alabama and a Certified Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) provider. I have many years...
I believe that in life we all need support from time to time. Whether one has experienced a traumatic event, the loss of a loved one, or just needs a soft place to land to sort out thoughts and emotions due to life’s stressors, seeking therapy can provide hope, healing and help us gain knowledge and understanding about ourselves. I am a Licensed Mental Heath Counselor who uses a eclectic approa...
I am a clinical psychologist with specialty in traumatic stress, particularly how trauma-related challenges impact interpersonal relationships. I help individuals gain perspective so they can move forward without being held back by past traumas or experiences. Trauma can hold us back and impact our self-perception, our beliefs about others, and how we interact with our environment. We will we w...
Do you experience anxiety, depression or negative self-esteem? Are you stuck in relationship patterns that leave you feeling hurt, isolated and emotionally drained? Are you ready to change the patterns that keep you stuck and reconnect with yourself? I'm a licensed psychologist specializing in both trauma and eating disorders. I use evidence-based approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Ther...
Welcome to A Place To Heal. My name is Michelle A Giles. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health and a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. I have over 9 years experience providing individual and couples therapy to adults with severe and persistent mental illness as well as those with co-occurring disorders. I work with people who experience many different issues such as depressi...
Welcome all!! I want to commend you on initiating the process of self-discovery. This can be an extremely challenging first step. Are feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood? Are your days becoming more challenging? Is anxiety controlling the way you experience life. Managing the effects of traumatic experiences can be hard. Traumatic experiences, especially when you feel alone or that no one...
I enjoy working with individuals focused on becoming the best version of themselves. These individuals may experience concerns with trauma (PTSD), depression, career issues, identity concerns, self-esteem and relationships issues. I specialize in Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Treatments and I help individuals heal from trauma and other life circumstantial concerns. I'm trained in Cognitive...
As a psychologist, I help teens, adults, and caregivers who live with trauma, persisting mental illness, and compassion fatigue. I offer empathetic, non-judgemental support by providing a safe place to explore and overcome prolonged challenges to live a healthy, meaningful life. I guide you to mend painful wounds, gain skills to be a survivor, and develop your strength. If you live with post- o...
I am passionate about working with women identified individuals who may be struggling with anxiety, stress, depression etc. I work best with individuals who are motivated to make positive changes in their lives but are feeling "stuck". Using a gentle and collaborative approach, we will find ways to move past these road blocks and get you back to living a more meaningful and fulfilling life. My...
I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist providing therapy for First Responders including, firefighters, EMS, law enforcement officers, veterans and dispatchers experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), and Emergency Responder Exhaustion Syndrome. My treatment modalities include individual and group psychotherapy utilizing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing...
Dr. Klim completed a little over 17 years of federal service. During her federal service, Dr. Klim saw the difficulties many veterans had navigating the Mental Health system in addition to the challenges of a rural community (travel, weather, lack of providers). She treats individuals of all ages but has a wealth of experience with military members and their family members. She sees a full rang...
Trauma can leave you feeling alone, hopeless, angry, and afraid. You didn’t ask for trauma, but now you are left to pick up the pieces. The thing you want most is to go back to how things used to be but you can’t seem to rewind the clock. Unfortunately, this desire to time travel and change the past or control the future keeps us even more stuck in trauma and PTSD because it gets in the way of...
My belief is that people want to be happy and effective in their lives and I am a supportive partner in the process of you achieving this. I have worked with individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships, those who are adjusting to life changes as well as people living with chronic illness and pain. As part of therapy, I may ask you to participate in experiential...
I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in delivering evidence-based treatment to individuals throughout all stages of their lives. I have a warm and compassionate approach to therapy, which encourages active collaboration. I have a passion for walking alongside people in the midst of struggle. When you come to therapy, it's like you are trying to climb a mountain. I am not at the...
