Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD, Chronic Conditions & Anxiety
youtu.be
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping individuals regain a sense of control in their lives by addressing their interpretations and coping mechanisms. It can be used for individuals with PTSD, anxiety, and chronic conditions. CPT is based on social cognitive theory, which examines how individuals interpret and cope with events or symptoms to regain a sense of control. The therapy aims to help individuals process their emotions, challenge faulty interpretations, and regain a sense of control in their lives.
In CPT, the therapist helps individuals examine their symptoms and coping mechanisms, exploring thoughts and beliefs to determine if they are helpful or exacerbating the situation. Emotions such as fear, anger, and sadness are considered primary emotions in CPT, and the therapy helps individuals identify and work through stuck points that may be keeping them stuck. CPT does not aim to eliminate or suppress emotions but focuses on reducing the duration of emotional reactions.
The therapy also addresses cognitive distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking, and examines five key areas that are often disrupted by traumatic events or chronic conditions: safety, trust, power and control, self-esteem, and intimacy. The therapist helps individuals challenge and modify their schemas and over-accommodations in these areas.
CPT involves a 12-session protocol that includes writing an impact statement, identifying thoughts and feelings about the event, addressing stuck points, and using challenging questions to examine beliefs. The therapy aims to help individuals feel safe, trust themselves and others, understand their power and control, build self-esteem and intimacy, and integrate the event or condition into their life narrative.
Overall, CPT aims to help individuals develop more adaptive thought patterns, challenge negative beliefs, and regain a sense of control and well-being in their lives.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping individuals reg