Using Cognitive Processing Therapy For PTSD
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Cognitive processing therapy for PTSD: An overview
PTSD may affect anyone who has experienced trauma. Additionally, some individuals develop the condition from witnessing or learning about an event that was traumatic in some way. Researchers aren’t sure why some people experience PTSD and others don’t. However, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can often be treated using medication and various therapy techniques, including cognitive processing therapy (CPT), a type of cognitive behavioral treatment. Learn more about cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for PTSD by reading on.
What is PTSD?
Commonly traumatic events may include:
- Childhood abuse
- Sexual assault
- Physical assault
- Emotional abuse
- Combat exposure
- Accidents
- Illness or medical procedures
- Natural disasters
- Traumatic loss
- Witnessing violence, abuse, or assault
PTSD behaviors
Many patients with PTSD experience flashbacks and panic attacks connected to the traumatic event they experienced, such as child abuse or other distressing incidents. Some people living with PTSD may develop anxiety that causes social difficulties. They may avoid locations, people, objects, or stimuli that remind them of their trauma. Certain sounds, movements, or occurrences may cause panic or the feeling of “reliving” a trauma, which could prompt the person to act out their fight-or-flight response by fighting or fleeing from their memory. This occurrence may happen to anyone affected by PTSD, not just war veterans.
Signs and symptoms
According to the American Psychiatric Association, an individual must meet two or more of the following post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms for at least one month following a traumatic incident to be diagnosed with PTSD:
- Flashbacks about the traumatic event
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Avoiding specific locations, people, objects, or stimuli
- Negative thoughts or adverse self-beliefs
- Extreme fear of specific areas, people, objects, or situations
- Anxiety or stress
- Chronic fatigue
- Trouble falling asleep or inability to stay asleep
- Problems with self-esteem and intimacy
- Chronic pain
- Self-blaming thoughts
- Angry outbursts
- Behaving recklessly
- Headaches and muscle pain
- Heart palpitations or a fast heart rate
- Shaking or trembling
- Dizziness or fainting
- Irritable bowel problems
- Avoiding loved ones
- Panic attacks
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes of PTSD
The symptoms of PTSD may develop after a prolonged traumatic experience. Not everyone who lives through a dangerous event or develops PTSD.
Risk factors for trauma-induced PTSD symptoms
- Experiencing long-lasting or intense trauma
- Having experienced previous childhood trauma
- Having other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression
- Experiencing substance use difficulties
- Having blood relatives with mental health conditions
Efficacy of cognitive processing therapy for PTSD
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) helps people evaluate and change their thoughts and develop a constructive outlook. CPT is a specific subtype of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Treating post-traumatic stress disorder is often done through medication and therapy, which the National Center for PTSD by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lists cognitive processing therapy as a recommended therapy for PTSD.
CPT treatment for PTSD, a specific type of PTSD treatment developed by treatment authors like Patricia Resick and Kate Chard, is often completed over 12 sessions. Cognitive processing therapy for PTSD may begin with patient materials, educating and labeling symptoms and emotions.
How cognitive processing therapy for PTSD can help
Cognitive processing therapy may also focus on the formal processing of PTSD through a written trauma account. The client may be asked to write out a detailed account of their traumatic experience (called an impact statement) and read it aloud in the next session to confront the thoughts and feelings about the trauma they’ve been avoiding. The therapist may support the client in modifying unhelpful thoughts about the experience, symptoms of PTSD, or cognitive distortions like self-blaming or labeling.
Trauma-focused counseling options
Cognitive processing therapy for PTSD can be an effective treatment, developed to help individuals cope with their symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, talk to your primary care doctor for a referral or look for a therapist in your area. If you face barriers to treatment such as cost, distance, or time, you can also consider cognitive processing therapy online. Other treatments for PTSD include Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for couples, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Online cognitive processing therapy for PTSD
Online cognitive processing therapy may provide several benefits for people with PTSD, including safety and a new perspective. You can work with a PTSD counselor from home by participating in therapy online via videoconferencing, phone, or in-app messaging (similar to email). This can be helpful when you're experiencing PTSD symptoms and need help from therapy in learning useful coping skills.
Online therapy efficacy
Takeaway
Cognitive processing therapy is an evidence-based treatment that is often used to help people who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some therapists may use it for people who have a co-occurring traumatic brain injury or substance use disorder. During cognitive processing therapy sessions, a certified therapist may help a person process their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe environment.
If you’re interested in trying therapy sessions but don’t feel comfortable with traditional in-office therapy, you may benefit from online therapy. With BetterHelp, you can find a therapist who has experience with cognitive processing therapy for PTSD and any mental health concerns you’re facing, such as anxiety or PTSD. Take the first step toward healing and reach out to BetterHelp today.
What are some cognitive processing therapy (CPT) techniques?
In cognitive processing therapy for PTSD, one of the most common techniques involves writing an impact statement, in which the client details the traumatic event and how it has impacted their life. Other techniques can include having the client complete worksheets about the traumatic experience and using Socratic questioning to encourage the client to challenge unhelpful thoughts.
What is CPT most effective at treating?
CPT (cognitive processing therapy) is most commonly used for treating symptoms of PTSD.
What is the goal of CPT?
While the specific goals for therapy can vary by individual, cognitive processing therapy for PTSD focuses on helping a person identify, challenge, and change unhelpful thinking patterns regarding the trauma they have experienced.
How does cognitive processing therapy for PTSD work?
In cognitive processing therapy for PTSD, a therapist works with a client to identify and change unhelpful beliefs they have about a traumatic experience. By changing these thoughts and beliefs, those who receive CPT may be able to reduce PTSD symptoms and the negative impact this trauma has on their daily life.
What is the cognitive approach for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A variety of cognitive approaches can be used for treating PTSD, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and cognitive therapy.
What kind of counseling is recommended for post-traumatic stress disorder?
Different individuals may benefit most from different treatment approaches, but the American Psychological Association strongly recommends four types of therapy for PTSD: cognitive processing therapy for PTSD, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive therapy, and prolonged exposure. Other types of therapy that may also be useful include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), narrative exposure therapy, and brief eclectic psychotherapy.
What are some benefits of CPT?
Some of the potential benefits of CPT include reducing PTSD symptoms, reframing thoughts around trauma, and addressing cognitive distortions such as self-blaming.
How do you conduct CPT?
What are the 5 themes of CPT?
What are 5 treatments for PTSD?
There are a variety of treatments available for PTSD, including multiple types of therapy such as CPT, CBT, and EMDR, medication, or a combination of the two. You can learn more about trauma, PTSD, and available treatment options through resources such as the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the National Center for PTSD.
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