Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a structured form of talk therapy that helps people heal from trauma by identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns. Many clients describe it as “rewriting the story” they’ve been telling themselves—shifting from blame, guilt, or fear toward a more balanced and compassionate perspective.
What CPT Helps With
CPT is especially effective for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma that has deeply shaped the way a person thinks about themselves, others, and the world. It’s often used for:
Military combat trauma
Sexual assault or abuse
Physical assault
Childhood abuse or neglect
Interpersonal violence
Accidents, natural disasters, or life-threatening events
How CPT Works
CPT typically lasts about 12 sessions, though it can be adapted for individual needs. Sessions focus on:
Learning how trauma affects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Identifying “stuck points” (unhelpful thoughts or beliefs)
Challenging and reframing those thoughts to be more accurate and helpful
Exploring how trauma has impacted beliefs about safety, trust, power, control, self-worth, and relationships
Practicing new ways of thinking through writing exercises and real-life application
Homework between sessions is an important part of CPT, reinforcing skills and helping clients apply new perspectives in daily life.
Core Beliefs CPT Targets
Safety
Trust
Power
Control
Self-worth
Relationships
What Clients Experience
Clients often describe CPT as moving from being stuck in their trauma to reclaiming their life. Common transformations include:
Shifting from self-blame to self-compassion
Reducing guilt and shame
Loosening fear and overgeneralized beliefs about danger
Rebuilding trust in themselves and others
Expanding their worldview beyond the trauma
Seeing themselves as capable, resilient, and worthy
The goal of CPT isn’t to erase trauma but to change its hold on daily life—allowing clients to carry it as one chapter of their story rather than the whole book.