Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a cognitive behavioural therapy to assist those who are "stuck" in their trauma-related thinking. Psychologists created it to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
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What is Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)?
CPT is founded on the theory that PTSD symptoms are caused by a clash between pre-trauma beliefs about the self and the world and post-trauma facts.
A pre-trauma belief would be that the world is a safe place where nothing wrong will happen to me, yet post-trauma evidence might suggest that the world is, in fact, dangerous.
These tensions are known as "stuck points," and they can be resolved through various methods, including writing about the painful incident.
Your therapist will assist you in identifying and addressing stuck points and errors in thinking, such as thoughts such as "I am a bad person" or "I did something to deserve this."
Your therapist may be able to assist you in addressing these errors or sticking points by having you collect evidence for and against those thoughts.
What Can CPT Help With?
CPT focuses on assisting persons with PTSD and trauma-related symptoms, such as:
Cognitive blunders
Dissociation
Guilt/Hopelessness
Coping with Grief
Psychological anguish
Disturbances in sleep
Benefits of CPT
CPT can assist you in changing negative and unhelpful beliefs related to PTSD and trauma. You can minimise your symptoms and acquire healthy coping methods by addressing these stuck places.
CPT may have beneficial effects in areas not explicitly targeted during therapy. People who receive CPT, for example, may have fewer emotions of hopelessness than those who receive other types of treatment. Even if addressing hopelessness isn't a therapy objective, this is true.
Effectiveness of CPT Therapy
CPT is thought to be a helpful PTSD treatment. According to research, people who do CPT have reduced symptoms related to PTSD, and those benefits appear to stay. Compared to other forms of therapy, CPT appears to lower the severity of PTSD symptoms, including trauma-related depression.
CPT can assist you in changing negative and unhelpful beliefs related to PTSD and trauma. You can minimise your symptoms and acquire healthy coping methods by addressing these stuck places. It can also promote:
Trustworthiness in oneself and others
Senses of security
Levels of happiness
Relationships and intimacy
Self-esteem
Sense of personal power and control over their surroundings
Negative emotion tolerance
Things to Consider
CPT may not be appropriate for persons who have specific medical issues. Before commencing CPT, consult your primary care or mental health practitioner if you are experiencing any of the following:
Bipolar disorder causing mania
Detox is currently being used to treat a substance use disorder.
Active psychosis symptoms
How to Get Started
If you are interested in CPT, search for a trained treatment provider on Fettle. Your therapist will explain their procedure and tell you what to expect when you begin treatment. CPT frequently includes homework assignments, handouts, and writing assignments, so be prepared to work inside and outside sessions.
CPT can be an emotional experience because it involves exposure to your trauma, whether through writing about it or discussing it with your therapist. Your therapist can assist you in creating a safe environment in which to process these emotions while also teaching you how to address your stuck points and move forward.
Other Types of Therapy in the UK
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT Therapy) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on accepting negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances. It also promotes a more substantial commitment to healthy, constructive activities that support your values or goals. There are a variety of therapists at Fettle offering different types of therapy. Here are some more examples of online counselling in the UK.
CBT Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT Therapy) is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that teaches people how to recognise and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that influence their behaviour and emotions.
Your CBT program could be anywhere between 5 and 20 weeks, depending on your problem and the treatment program you and your therapist agree on.
It’s likely to include some homework. You’ll work with your therapist to set some tasks to practise what you talk about. CBT can be used at the same time as relaxation techniques, breathing techniques, medication or supportive counselling.
People who have suffered trauma in various scenarios, such as combat veterans, survivors of sexual violence, and survivors of childhood abuse, may benefit from CPT.
Talk Therapy
Mental health professionals use talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, to communicate with their patients. The goal of talk therapy is to assist people in identifying issues that are causing emotional distress. It relies on a close professional relationship with your therapist. They will help you to recognise the difference between helpful and unhelpful thoughts, and teach you how to let go of the unhelpful thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
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CPT is a very structured treatment method. It consists of 12 weekly sessions, each lasting about an hour. These sessions can be held in a group setting, one-on-one, or in a combination of group and individual formats, and they can be held in person or online.
Sessions are divided into phases that address different aspects of therapy, such as:
Psychoeducation
Understanding your thoughts and feelings
Learning new skills
Changing your beliefs
Cognitive processing therapy is founded on the premise that our thoughts influence our feelings. Sometimes our thinking shifts after a terrible occurrence. This can happen due to attempts to cope with the traumatic incident or to keep ourselves safe in the future. After surviving a severe car accident, someone can believe that most other drivers are insane. This shift in mindset would make individuals feel safer on the roadways by encouraging them to drive more conservatively.
Even if the traumatic experience occurred many years ago, CPT could help us learn to think differently about — our reprocessing. Talking about or thinking about the terrible event(s) that transformed our life can be highly challenging for those with PTSD. It's considerably more challenging to question long-held beliefs regarding these events. CPT enables us to do just that in structured and concentrated methods that have been shown to reduce PTSD severity.
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CPT therapy can help some people recover from PTSD. Individuals do not forget the terrible occurrence, but it no longer gives them the same issues it used to. This change can be life-altering.
According to research, most persons who finish a course of CPT experience a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms. Some people find that counselling completely cures their PTSD. Others experience PTSD following treatment but to a lesser extent. CPT usually lasts twelve sessions. When therapists tailor it to specific conditions, the number of sessions may change.
To complete the treatment, a certain level of dedication is required; it is not an easy task. Some folks struggle to finish the sessions or complete the homework. (Homework is an essential aspect of CPT.) CPT is unlikely to be beneficial unless all sessions are met and the homework activities are completed. What is the significance of homework? The exercises require the client to examine their thoughts and emotions precisely to lessen PTSD symptoms. You won't see the change you desire in CPT unless you practice these new ways of thinking. But don't be deceived by the term "homework"! CPT resembles therapy far more than an academic course.
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CPT therapy typically consists of 12 sessions that last three months. Each therapy session, which may occur once a week, lasts 60-90 minutes, and you may notice progress after only a few sessions.
CPT therapy benefits typically last long after your last CPT session with your provider. According to research, clients who attend at least ten sessions have the best outcomes when dealing with a traumatic experience. However, new evidence suggests that varying the number of CPT therapy sessions based on patient response to treatment can improve outcomes.
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One of the most effective treatments for traumatic experiences is cognitive processing therapy. Even when performed by experienced professionals, it is more effective than trauma-focused psychotherapy. CPT therapy is also a brief form of therapy, making it less expensive and more convenient than other types of therapy.
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Although cognitive processing therapy is effective in treating PTSD, some people may experience discomfort when writing or talking about their trauma during each CPT session. These feelings, however, are usually fleeting, and most people adjust to CPT therapy as it progresses.
Although more research on cognitive processing therapy is needed to understand its effectiveness in different demographics, there is no doubt that the benefits outweigh any discomforts or risks associated with the treatment.
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Because of Fettle's code of ethics, each session is entirely private. Unless a customer requests it, no information is shared with coworkers, doctors, or family members. Individuals or situations are never discussed, and we ensure complete anonymity.
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Trauma-focused psychotherapy (including Cognitive Processing Therapy) is one of the most effective types of PTSD treatment.
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Speaking with a skilled therapist is the best way to discover whether CPT is right for you. They'll assess your symptoms, treatment history, and therapy goals to see if CPT is a good fit for you. When looking for a CPT therapist in the UK, Fettle is a wonderful place to start. We have many qualified professionals in CPT treatment and other fields.
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