Cognitive Processing Therapy
Evidence-based treatment for PTSD focused on changing unhelpful beliefs about trauma. Challenge stuck points and reclaim your life with certified CPT providers.
What is Cognitive Processing Therapy?
Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for PTSD that focuses on how trauma has changed the way you think about yourself, others, and the world. After experiencing a traumatic event, the brain attempts to integrate what happened into a pre-existing belief system, creating “stuck points”—beliefs that keep you trapped in suffering, such as “It was my fault,” “Others cannot be trusted” or “The world is completely dangerous.” At Summit Psychotherapy Center, our certified CPT providers, including Dr. Emily Livermore, Dr. Kayleigh Watters, Dr. Katherine Robertson, and Dr. Chelsea Barnes, help you identify and challenge these stuck points, process the trauma in a new way, and develop more balanced, helpful beliefs. CPT is structured, skills-based, and typically completed in 12 weekly sessions. It’s particularly effective for those who struggle with guilt, shame, anger, or difficulty trusting others after trauma.
How Does CPT Work?
The CPT Process
Understanding the Impact of Trauma
CPT begins by helping you understand how trauma has affected your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You’ll learn about PTSD symptoms, cognitive theory, and emotions.
Identifying Stuck Points
You’ll work with your therapist to identify specific beliefs that resulted from trauma and are now keeping you stuck. These often involve themes of safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy.
Writing About the Trauma
CPT includes writing detailed accounts of the trauma to help process what happened and identify stuck points embedded in the narrative. This isn’t just storytelling – it’s a structured process that promotes new understanding.
Challenging Stuck Points
Using cognitive therapy techniques, you’ll learn to examine the evidence for and against stuck points, consider alternative perspectives, and develop more balanced, helpful beliefs.
Processing Key Themes
CPT addresses five key areas affected by trauma: safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy. You’ll work through stuck points in each area systematically.
Who is CPT For?
Is CPT Right for You?
CPT may be especially helpful if you:
Have been diagnosed with PTSD or have trauma-related symptoms
Struggle with guilt, shame, or self-blame about the trauma
Have difficulty trusting others or feeling safe
Hold beliefs like “It was my fault” or “I should have prevented it”
Feel stuck in anger or resentment
Avoid situations or relationships due to trauma-related beliefs
Prefer a more cognitive, thought-focused approach
Are willing to complete writing assignments between sessions
Want a structured, time-limited treatment (typically 12 sessions)
Experience trauma that involved moral injury or betrayal
Note: CPT can be delivered individually or in groups and has been shown effective for various types of trauma including combat, sexual assault, childhood abuse, and accidents.
What to Expect
in CPT Treatment
The 12-Session CPT Protocol
CPT typically follows a structured 12-session protocol:
Sessions 1-2: Education and Impact
Learning about PTSD, trauma reactions, and the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; Exploring the impact the trauma has had on your life; Identifying beliefs that keep you stuck
Session 3: Working with Events, Thoughts, and Feelings
Recognizing the connection between events, thoughts, and emotions
Sessions 4-5: Remembering Traumatic Events
Writing detailed accounts of the traumatic event and identifying stuck points
Sessions 6-11: Challenging Stuck Points
Systematically examining and challenging unhelpful beliefs across key themes of safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy
Session 12: Review and Relapse Prevention
Consolidating gains and planning for continued growth
Homework Practice
Completing worksheets and practice assignments between sessions
Active Participation
CPT requires engagement in challenging your own thinking patterns
Therapist Support
Guidance and encouragement throughout the process
CPT vs. Other Trauma Treatments
How CPT Differs from PE
CPT Focus: Thoughts and Beliefs
CPT primarily targets the unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that developed because of trauma. While it includes trauma processing, the emphasis is on cognitive restructuring.
PE Focus: Emotional Processing Through Exposure
Prolonged Exposure focuses more on emotional processing through repeated exposure to trauma memories and avoided situations.
Which is Right for You?
Both CPT and PE are highly effective for PTSD. CPT may be particularly helpful if you struggle with guilt, shame, or problematic beliefs about the trauma. PE may be better if avoidance is your primary issue. Your therapist can help you decide which approach fits your needs best.
Can They Be Combined?
In many cases, people find relief after completing a course of CPT or PE – often further PTSD treatment is not needed and there is no need to combine the treatments. It is possible that you and your therapist might collaboratively agree to integrate aspects of the treatments as a way of tailoring the treatment to your individual needs.
Why Choose Summit for CPT?
Certified CPT Experts
Our team includes certified CPT providers trained to deliver this evidence-based treatment with fidelity. Dr. Emily Livermore, Dr. Kayleigh Watters, Dr. Katherine Robertson, and Dr. Chelsea Barnesare all certified provider of CPT with extensive experience treating PTSD using this approach. We understand that challenging long-held beliefs about trauma can be difficult, and we provide supportive guidance while also helping you examine thoughts that may no longer serve you. Our team stays current with the latest CPT research and best practices, ensuring you receive the most effective treatment available.
Ready to Challenge the Beliefs Keeping You Stuck?
Cognitive Processing Therapy can help you break free from the unhelpful beliefs that trauma created. Our certified CPT providers are here to guide you toward a more balanced, hopeful perspective.