Trauma can change how you see yourself, other people, and the world. Cognitive processing therapy helps you work through beliefs that keep you feeling guilty, unsafe, or disconnected so you can move toward a life less shaped by what happened.
You might replay what you could have done differently, blame yourself, or find it difficult to trust anyone. Even when part of you knows a thought may not tell the whole story, it can still feel true.
We take the time to understand what you’re carrying and how it affects your life. Together, we can explore whether CPT is a good fit for your needs.
These are examples of thoughts you can explore in therapy, rather than a checklist for diagnosis.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based PTSD treatment that focuses on how you understand what happened and what it means for your life now.
You and your therapist examine trauma-related beliefs, consider the evidence, and develop more balanced perspectives. The aim is to reduce distress without minimizing your experience.
Identify beliefs about responsibility, danger, or trust that may be contributing to guilt, fear, or disconnection.
Use questions and worksheets to examine those beliefs and consider perspectives that better reflect your experience and present circumstances.
More freedom in your life.
Work toward a fairer understanding of responsibility for what happened.
Explore beliefs about trust and closeness that may be making relationships harder.
Build skills for responding to distressing thoughts and making choices guided by what matters to you.
CPT typically involves about 12 sessions, with exercises between appointments. You and your therapist review what you are learning and how it applies to daily life.
CPT involves discussing the trauma and its impact, but a detailed written trauma account is optional. Your therapist will explain the approach and discuss your concerns before treatment begins.
Discuss symptoms, goals, and how trauma has affected the way you see yourself in the world.
Notice beliefs that contribute to distress or make it harder to move forward.
Use questions, discussion, and worksheets to evaluate beliefs and consider alternatives.
Work through themes such as safety, trust, control, self-worth, and closeness.
If guilt, fear, or difficulty trusting others is making life harder after trauma, we’re here to help. Reach out to ask about cognitive processing therapy at UCPS and how to get started.
Cognitive processing therapy, or CPT, is an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps you examine how trauma has affected your beliefs about yourself, other people, and the world. Treatment focuses on developing more balanced perspectives that support recovery.
CPT can help people experiencing PTSD following sexual assault, childhood abuse, violence, serious accidents, combat, or other traumatic events. It may be particularly helpful when self-blame, guilt, shame, or difficulties with trust are affecting daily life. A clinician can help determine whether CPT fits your needs.
Stuck points are beliefs about trauma or its consequences that can keep distress going. Examples include blaming yourself for someone else’s actions or believing that no one can be trusted. CPT helps you examine these beliefs and develop perspectives that account for the full circumstances.
A detailed retelling of the traumatic event is not required in standard CPT. You will discuss how the experience has affected your thoughts and life. A written trauma account is an optional treatment component that you and your therapist can consider together.
CPT sessions include education about PTSD, discussion of trauma-related beliefs, and guided practice examining those beliefs. You and your therapist use structured questions and worksheets to explore themes such as safety, trust, control, self-worth, and intimacy. Treatment builds skills you can continue using afterward.
CPT was developed as a 12-session treatment. With weekly appointments, this often takes about three months. Treatment length can vary depending on your symptoms and progress; some people need fewer sessions, while others benefit from additional time.
Yes. CPT includes practice assignments, such as brief writing exercises and worksheets that help you apply treatment skills outside appointments. These assignments are an important part of therapy. If completing them is difficult, your therapist can help you address barriers.
Yes. CPT directly addresses trauma-related self-blame, guilt, and shame. It helps you examine responsibility, what you knew at the time, and the circumstances surrounding an event. The goal is a more accurate understanding of what happened, rather than forcing yourself to think positively.
Yes. CPT is a well-studied treatment recommended in major PTSD treatment guidelines. Research shows that it can substantially reduce PTSD symptoms and associated depression. Individual results vary, and your clinician can monitor symptoms and discuss how treatment is working for you.
Contact Utah Center for Psychological Services to ask about cognitive processing therapy in Salt Lake City. Our intake team can discuss your concerns, current clinician availability, and next steps. You can also ask about insurance participation and appointment options before starting treatment.
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Licensed Psychologist │ Utah License: 12377684-2501
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