Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in Burr Ridge

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based, structured form of talk therapy specifically designed to help people recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the lasting emotional effects of trauma. It helps individuals understand how trauma has impacted their thought patterns and teaches them how to challenge unhelpful beliefs, enabling them to move forward.

What Is Cognitive Processing Therapy?

Trauma can profoundly impact the way we perceive ourselves, others, and the world. After a traumatic experience, it’s common for people to develop negative thoughts like:

• “I should have done something to stop it.”
• “I can’t trust anyone.”
• “The world is completely unsafe.”
• “What happened was my fault.”

These thoughts, while understandable, often keep people stuck in patterns of guilt, fear, shame, and isolation. CPT helps identify and shift these thoughts, allowing space for healing.

How CPT Works

CPT typically consists of 12 weekly sessions with a licensed therapist. It involves:

• Understanding PTSD: Learning how trauma can influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
• Identifying “stuck points”: Recognizing unhelpful beliefs or interpretations that may be keeping you in distress.
• Challenging and replacing these thoughts: Using evidence-based techniques to shift thinking in a more balanced, realistic direction.
• Written trauma accounts (in some versions): Writing about the traumatic event to examine how it’s being processed and uncover core beliefs that need attention.

Common Themes Addressed in CPT

CPT often focuses on how trauma has affected beliefs in five key areas:

• Safety – “I’m never safe anymore.”
• Trust – “I can’t trust anyone ever again.”
• Power/control – “I’m completely powerless.”
• Esteem – “I’m a bad person.”
• Intimacy – “I can’t connect with others.”

By working through these areas, CPT helps individuals regain a sense of control, worth, and connection.

Who Can Benefit?

CPT is especially helpful for people experiencing:

• PTSD or complex trauma
• Ongoing guilt, shame, or self-blame related to trauma
• Difficulty trusting or connecting with others after trauma
• Avoidance of thoughts or reminders of the event

CPT has been successfully used with survivors of combat, sexual or physical assault, childhood abuse, accidents, natural disasters, and more.

Is CPT Effective?

Yes. CPT is one of the most researched and effective treatments for PTSD. It’s strongly recommended by organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many people see a significant reduction in symptoms within just a few months of treatment.

What to Expect

CPT is a collaborative, skills-based approach. While some parts of therapy may feel emotionally difficult, especially when exploring traumatic memories, most people find that CPT gives them the tools to understand themselves better and move forward with greater clarity and self-compassion.

Healing Is Possible

Trauma can shape how we see ourselves and the world, but it doesn’t have to define our future. CPT offers a path to process the past, shift unhelpful thinking, and reclaim a sense of control and hope. If you or someone you care about is struggling with the effects of trauma, talk to a mental health professional about whether Cognitive Processing Therapy is the right fit.

For more information, please contact our main office.