Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
You can begin to make sense of what happened without letting it define what comes next.
After trauma, it can be difficult to make sense of what happened or the beliefs you've developed about yourself, other people, and the world. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) can help you examine these beliefs, understand how trauma may be shaping the way you see things today, and develop more balanced ways of thinking as you move toward healing.
When Trauma Changes the Way You See Yourself and the World
After trauma, you may find yourself carrying beliefs that are difficult to shake. You might question yourself, your safety, your ability to trust others, or how you see what happened. These beliefs can leave you feeling stuck long after the trauma itself has ended.
-
You Keep Blaming Yourself for What Happened
You may replay what happened and focus on what you could have done differently. CPT can help you explore what responsibility you carry, what was outside your control, and how self-blame may be affecting you today.
-
You No Longer Feel Safe or Able to Trust
After trauma, the world or other people may feel less predictable than they once did. CPT can help you explore your beliefs about safety and trust and how they influence the way you move through relationships and everyday life.
-
You Feel Stuck in “What If” or “If Only”
You may repeatedly revisit what happened and imagine how things could have gone differently. CPT can help you examine these thoughts and consider how they may be shaping the way you understand yourself and what happened.
-
You See Yourself Differently Since the Trauma
Trauma can change how you see your strength, worth, choices, or identity. CPT can help you explore these beliefs and consider whether they reflect the whole story of who you are.
What CPT Therapy Can Feel Like
CPT is a structured, collaborative approach that gives you space to examine how trauma has affected the way you understand yourself, others, and the world. Together with your therapist, you'll explore beliefs that may be keeping you stuck and consider new ways of understanding what happened.
-
You Begin to Notice the Beliefs You Carry
You may become more aware of the thoughts and conclusions you've developed since the trauma and how they influence the way you feel and respond today.
-
You Examine What You Tell Yourself About What Happened
Together, you can look more closely at beliefs about responsibility, safety, trust, control, or self-worth and consider whether they reflect the whole picture.
-
You Practice Looking at Things From Another Perspective
Therapy can help you consider information or perspectives that may have been difficult to see while you were trying to make sense of the trauma.
-
You Begin to Respond With More Flexibility
As your understanding changes, you may find more room to respond to yourself, other people, and difficult situations without being as controlled by the beliefs trauma left behind.
Understanding What Happened Can Change How You Move Forward
Trauma can leave you feeling trapped by beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world that once helped you make sense of what happened. CPT can help you examine those beliefs and understand your experience in new ways. With greater clarity, you may have more room to respond to yourself and others differently, feel less controlled by trauma-related thoughts, and move toward the parts of your life that matter to you.
Your Path Through Healing
There isn't one approach that works for everyone. Trauma therapy can be tailored to your experiences, needs, and goals, drawing from different approaches to support you along the way.
Find a Therapist Who Feels Like a Good Fit
Finding the right therapist can make a meaningful difference in your experience of therapy. Get to know our therapists, learn about their approaches and areas of focus, and find someone who feels like a good fit for you. And if you're not sure where to start, that's okay—we can help you explore what kind of support may be right for you.
FAQs
-
CPT was developed as a trauma-focused treatment for PTSD and is commonly used to address symptoms related to traumatic experiences. Whether CPT is appropriate for you depends on your experiences, concerns, and treatment goals. Your therapist can help you determine whether this approach is a good fit.
-
CPT involves exploring how your trauma has affected your beliefs and the way you understand what happened. You don't have to share every detail of your experience for therapy to be meaningful. Your therapist will work with you at a pace that feels manageable while helping you examine the beliefs and thoughts that may be keeping you stuck.
-
CPT isn't about forgetting what happened or forcing yourself to stop thinking about it. Instead, it can help you examine the beliefs and conclusions you developed after the trauma and consider more balanced ways of understanding your experience. The goal is to help trauma-related thoughts have less control over how you feel and respond today.
-
CPT is a structured, time-limited therapy, although the length and frequency of treatment can vary based on your needs and circumstances. Your therapist can work with you to determine an appropriate pace and discuss what treatment may look like for you.
-
Yes. Our therapists participate with a variety of insurance plans. Your cost will depend on your individual insurance benefits and the therapist you choose. We also offer self-pay options for clients who are not using insurance.
-
Step 1: Connect With Us
Take the first step by contacting us. We're here to answer your questions and help you get started.
-
Step 2: We'll Guide You
Together, we'll help you find the therapist who is the best fit for your needs, goals, and preferences.
-
Step 3: Begin Healing Together
Meet your therapist, build a trusting relationship, and begin working toward meaningful growth and lasting change.