Description
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can develop when an individual experiences a traumatic event such as physical and sexual abuse or assault, accidents, threats, military combat, or being a witness to violence or death.
With PTSD, you may find yourself thinking very differently about yourself and your environment. You may doubt your ability to protect yourself and others. You may question your judgment or the judgment and intentions of others. You feel unable to control your own life or to influence the lives of those you care about. You view yourself and others differently, perhaps seeing yourself as broken or others as evil. You may feel incapable of connecting with or being understood and accepted by others. These thoughts lead to negative emotions, such as fear, anxiety, guilt, and anger, and can halt your recovery.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive-behavioral therapy that has been proven to be effective for PTSD through rigorous scientific research. CPT focuses on teaching a set of skills that will help you challenge these negative thoughts and gain control over the impact they have on your life. Some participants may have endured more recent traumas and others may be still dealing with the legacy of events long in the past. Either way, CPT helps make progress possible.
Goals of CPT
- Improve understanding of PTSD
- Reduce distress about memories of the trauma
- Decrease emotional numbing (i.e., difficulty feeling feelings) and avoidance of trauma reminders
- Reduce feelings of being tense or “on edge”
- Decrease depression, anxiety, guilt, or shame
- Improve day-to-day living
Topics Covered During CPT
- The meaning of the traumatic event(s)
- Identification of thoughts and feelings
- Trust issues
- Safety issues
- Issues of power and control
- Esteem issues
- Intimacy issues
We would love to help you get your life back on track.
Group Therapist
RICBT is a psychotherapy and coaching practice with locations in East Providence, North Kingstown, and Barrington RI.
RICBT therapists are dedicated to helping clients develop a toolbox of strategies that will foster positive change and progress towards life goals.
RICBT takes a team approach to tackle difficult emotional, behavioral, and mental challenges. Therapists have a wide range of specializations, including: ADHD, anger, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief, pain, relationships, sleep, smoking, and weight.
