Key points
Thinking patterns rooted in trauma can hold us back from living the life that we want for ourselves.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a frontline, evidence-based treatment for PTSD.
CPT focuses on changing trauma-related thoughts and beliefs about oneself, others, and the world.
Source: Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels Going through a traumatic experience is, by definition, horrific. As you try to make sense of what happened, your belief system may be impacted, which, in turn, can change your day-to-day thinking. Thinking patterns that are rooted in trauma can generate painful emotions and hold you back from living the life that you want for yourself. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is focused on changing unhelpful, trauma-related thoughts and beliefs that have prevented you from recovering from posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ).
CPT is considered a first-line, recommended treatment for PTSD by major treatment guidelines, such as those produced by the American Psychological Association , the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies , and the World Health Organization . It has a substantial research base to support its effectiveness for treating PTSD. At least 35 randomized controlled trials have included CPT as one of the treatment arms. Meta-analyses of these studies suggest that CPT is among the most effective treatments for PTSD, has a high strength of evidence , and demonstrates large effect sizes for reducing PTSD symptoms .
A standard course of CPT treatment consists of 12 sessions. It is most common to conduct sessions weekly over the course of approximately three months, but some providers may offer daily sessions over a period of a few weeks. If you choose CPT as your treatment for PTSD, here are four major components that will aid in your recovery:
> Distinguishing between changeable and unchangeable emotion : Because traumatic events are inherently painful, CPT distinguishes between “natural” and “manufactured” emotions. “Natural” emotions are hard-wired into humans and are therefore not always possible to change. For example, nearly anyone who loses a beloved family member to an unexpected death is going to feel a sense of sadness when the memory arises. Natural […]

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