- CPT involves a structured, sequenced approach to address the unique needs of each patient suffering from PTSD and/or DEPRESSION. Specifically, CPT is a short-term treatment that has been shown to work in as few as 12 treatment sessions. Of course, treatment may be provided for longer periods depending on each individual's needs. Sessions address the following issues:
1. Educating patients about PTSD and explaining the nature of their symptoms
2. Helping patients explore how traumatic events have affected their lives
2. Learning about connections between trauma-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
3. Remembering the traumatic event and experiencing the emotions associated with it
4. Increasing patients' ability to challenge maladaptive thoughts about the trauma
5. Helping patients increase their understanding of unhelpful thinking patterns and learn new, healthier ways of thinking; and
6. Facilitating patients' exploration of how each of 5 core themes have been affected by their traumatic experiences.
CPT explores and helps survivors modify "stuck points" in the five major areas of functioning that are usually affected by victimization: safety, trust, power and control, self-esteem, and intimacy
Why CPT? Because CPT works!
There is strong scientific evidence that CPT helps patients overcome PTSD and DERESSION that are associated with trauma exposure.
1. Multiple randomized, controlled clinical trials have found that CPT is better than no treatment or good comparison treatments in reducing symptoms related to trauma.
2. CPT is effective in both military/veteran and civilian populations.
3. Though I focus on use of CPT as an individual treatment, there is evidence that CPT can also be delivered effectively in a group format.
4. CPT was developed and tested with patients presenting with a wide range of comorbid disorders and complicated trauma histories
CPT is a non-threatening approach to PTSD that allows the client to understand PTSD, their symptoms and to methodically uncover maladaptive thought patterns. Clients learn to apply healthier ways of thinking about their traumatic experience and themselves. CPT also addresses and helps clients with issues related to safety, trust, power and control, self-esteem and intimacy. The treatment method provides the client with a before and after view of their progress and provides the client with tools to use in everyday life once treatment is completed.