Cognitive Processing Therapy Edmonton
What is CPT?
CPT is a specific type of cognitive behavioural therapy that helps patients learn how to modify and challenge unhelpful beliefs related to trauma. This form of trauma therapy is typically used to treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have experienced a traumatic event like child abuse, combat, sexual abuse or a natural disaster.
How Does CPT Work?
Cognitive processing therapy is typically delivered over 12 sessions, where you’ll be guided to learn new patterns of healthy thinking. By identifying and sharing certain thoughts, a therapist can help you question and discover whether or not it’s a valid belief or one that is being unfairly influenced by your trauma. Once you develop the skills to identify and dispel unhelpful thoughts on your own, you can adapt what you’ve learned outside of therapy and begin incorporating it into your everyday life. CPT can help you manage thoughts and emotions that may be impacting parts of your life that would otherwise be bringing you feelings of joy, happiness, and balance.
One common component of CPT includes writing about your trauma. Although this challenge might feel uncomfortable or uneasy at first, overcoming the avoidance of negative thoughts and emotions that often go hand-in-hand with PTSD can be a critical component for healing in many individuals. In this case, the short term discomfort is outweighed by the long-lasting and positive impact that CPT can have in your life.
CPT can be delivered in individual or group sessions and will often include homework to be done by individuals on their own time between sessions.
Who Should Consider CPT?
If you have been diagnosed with PTSD or you have experienced trauma and have trouble in these areas of your life it may be a good idea to consider trying CPT.
- Maintaining feelings of safety
- Trusting others
- Struggling with maintaining control over certain situations
- Have low self-esteem
- Face difficulty in intimate situations
If you’ve been struggling with symptoms of PTSD, CPT might be a great option to explore. At Equinox therapeutic we have several therapists and counselors who specialize in CPT. If you’d like to set up a consultation to find out more, visit our contact page.
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To figure out if therapy is right for you, talk to one of our registered psychologists or counsellors.