Cognitive Processing Therapy
Untangling the Beliefs That Keep You Stuck
What is CPT?
Cognitive Processing Therapy is a specific type of cognitive-behavioural therapy designed to help you process the "why" behind your trauma. When a traumatic event occurs, it often creates "stuck points"—distorted or unhelpful beliefs about yourself and the world. These beliefs (e.g., "I am to blame" or "The world is 100% dangerous") act like a lens that filters your reality, leading to fear, shame, and withdrawal. CPT helps you break that lens and see the world with more balance and clarity.
How Does it Work at mind360?
CPT is a structured, 12-session protocol that focuses on the "Impact Statement"—your understanding of why the trauma happened and how it affected your life.
- •Identifying Stuck Points: We work together to pinpoint the exact beliefs that are causing you the most distress.
- •The Five Themes: We systematically examine how your trauma impacted your sense of Safety, Trust, Power/Control, Esteem, and Intimacy.
- •Challenging the Narrative: Instead of just "positive thinking," we use Socratic questioning to help you find a middle ground between the "before" and the "after."
Who Can Benefit?
CPT is highly effective for:
- •Survivors of Assault: Especially those struggling with self-blame or shame.
- •Combat Veterans: Addressing complex feelings of moral injury or loss of trust.
- •High-Stress Professionals: Helping nurses, social workers, or first responders process secondary trauma.
- •Anyone Feeling "Stuck": For those who understand what happened but can't change how they think about it.