Cognitive Processing Therapy Phases
Cognitive processing therapy is delivered through 12 weekly sessions and the relatively shorter duration of treatment makes it a cost-effective approach. Each session lasts about 60 to 90 minutes and the number and duration of sessions may be adjusted according to the needs of the individual. Cognitive processing therapy may involve individual or group counseling or a combination of the two. CPT in a group setting may involve two counselors and 8 to 10 patients. The first session involves an overview of the treatment process, while subsequent sessions tend to focus on the traumatic memories and changing the negative thinking patterns that occur as a result of the traumatic event. There are three phases to the process.
Phase One: Psychoeducation
During the initial psychoeducation phase, the therapist provides an overview of the treatment process and the rationale behind CPT, along with information regarding the symptoms of PTSD. Psychoeducation involves making the individual aware of how beliefs about a traumatic event can have an impact on their feelings and ways to restructure these beliefs. Patients are asked to write an impact statement about how the traumatic event has impacted their beliefs.
Phase Two: Processing the Trauma
In the second phase of treatment, the individual is asked to write a detailed account of their traumatic experience and read the written assignment in the following session. The subsequent sessions involve the therapist and the patient discussing the meaning of the traumatic experience to identify stuck points or self-blame issues. Stuck points are negative thoughts about the traumatic event that prevents the individual from moving beyond the traumatic beliefs. The therapist then tries to modify these negative thinking patterns by using a Socratic-style of questioning. The patients also learn to independently identify and modify such negative or self-defeating thoughts with the help of worksheets.
Phase Three: Change Beliefs Surrounding Traumatic Events
The final phase involves the therapist providing guidance to the patient to help them independently practice the skills obtained over the course of the treatment. This guidance involves identifying stuck points and changing these thought patterns (i.e., cognitive restructuring). Initially, the focus of therapy is to change negative thoughts involving self-blame for the traumatic event. As the treatment progresses to the final phase, the focus of treatment moves to other beliefs affected by the traumatic event. This focus includes negative beliefs revolving around trust, power, intimacy, and self-esteem.