Cognitive Processing Therapy - CPT

CPT is a well researched and highly effective form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), used specifically for PTSD.  It was developed by Patricia Resick in the late 1980's.  If a traumatic event (vehicle accident, assault, war, near death experience) is left unprocessed, it can result in a constant state of fear, anxiety or PTSD.  These symptoms are based on new beliefs about the world such as 'the world is unsafe' or 'bad things only happen to bad people, so I must be bad'.  

This structured treatment focuses on beliefs about the trauma, not the trauma itself.  Through worksheets that are completed both in session and independently, the beliefs are evaluated for accuracy and validity.  In an average of 12 sessions, the brain is taught to re-think how it views the trauma, and the world, resulting in symptom reduction.

For more information, visit these websites from the developers and the VA.