How To Find Light in the Darkness: Cognitive Processing Therapy

How to find light in the darkness: cognitive processing therapy was developed in the 1980’s. Basically, to tell you the truth, I didn’t even know about cognitive processing therapy (CPT). I’ve been through CBT, but not CPT.

Altogether, I learned they use it for PTSD, which I was diagnosed with among other things. All the bullying I succombed to when I was young, formed into PTSD. And there were other factors along my life that didn’t help.

Subsequently, PTSD is a mental health condition that can occur after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.

All things considered, people with PTSD may experience a variety of symptoms, including struggles with sleep, feeling scared or angry. and avoidance of people, places, or things that remind them of the trauma.

Accordingly, CPT is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The goal of CPT is to help people change their thinking patterns and behaviors related to the traumatic experience.

What is CPT Used For?

At length, a person can develop PTSD due to a variety of life events. Some examples include:

military service
experiencing or witnessing abuse
living in an area affected by war or a natural disaster
accidents

Although, not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. However, estimates suggest that about 6% of the United States population will experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime.

Also, it has recently been shown to be effective with a variety of mental health disorders.

Techniques of CPT

How to find light in the darkness: cognitive processing therapy also helps with other mental illnesses.

Chiefly, cognitive processing therapy typically occurs over 12 sessions with a mental health professional. Some of the techniques involved include the following:

Psychoeducation

Henceforth, the first step of CPT generally involves psychoeducation. This involves learning more about PTSD, emotions, and thoughts.

Furthermore, part of psychoeducation is learning about how thoughts and feelings interact. A person can then start to recognize and label automatic thoughts or other thoughts that may be contributing to PTSD symptoms.

To do this, they often write an impact statement that describes their understanding of why the traumatic event occurred. Nonetheless, they can then explore how their experience may have changed their beliefs about the world, others, or themselves.

Changing beliefs

Consequently, over the next few sessions, the person begins to write more about the event and their feelings. They then read the statement at their session, which may help break a pattern of avoiding feelings and thoughts associated with the trauma.

The mental health professional will help them question any unhelpful thoughts and feelings associated with the traumatic event.

Moreover, mental health professionals will help a person use facts to question current beliefs about the trauma they experienced. Also, the thoughts and feelings that may have developed around it and in everyday life.

Learning new skills

Meanwhile, the final stages of CPT involve learning new skills and applying them outside therapy sessions. Thus, if necessary, the person continues to learn to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and feelings and further adapts their thinking about the traumatic event.

Adaptive strategies often aim to improve several aspects of quality of life. Sessions and techniques may focus on areas such as:

firstly, trust
safety
control
power
intimacy
lastly, self-esteem

Also, a mental health professional may provide homework assignments to help a person better understand adaptive skills.

How Does CPT work?

How to find light in the darkness: Cognitive Processing Therapy is a way of processing taumatic events.

There are a few different methods that are used in Cognitive Processing Therapy.

Therefore, one of the most common methods is called cognitive restructuring. This method helps people to identify and challenge negative thought patterns.

For example, if you’re constantly thinking, “I’m not good enough,” cognitive restructuring would help you to identify that thought pattern and challenge it.

Another common method used in Cognitive Processing Therapy is exposure therapy. This method involves gradually exposing yourself to the things that trigger your anxiety or depression.

For example, if you’re afraid of heights, exposure therapy might involve slowly walking up a flight of stairs.

As you expose yourself to your triggers, you’ll learn how to better cope with them.

***Sometimes it’s best to go straight through!***

Comparison’s To Other Therapies

Deciding Between CBT and CPT

Hence, choosing the right therapy depends on several factors, including the nature of an individual’s psychological issues, their goals for therapy, and their personal preferences. Here are some guidelines:

Nature of Psychological Issues: In short, if an individual’s primary struggle is with PTSD or trauma-related issues, CPT may be the more specialized and effective choice.

For a broader range of psychological issues like depression, anxiety, or OCD, CBT may be more appropriate.

Preference for Focus: In the meantime, those who prefer a broad focus that encompasses various aspects of their mental health might lean towards CBT.

Individuals seeking a therapy that zeroes in on trauma and its impact might find CPT more beneficial.

Therapeutic Engagement: The decision may also hinge on how comfortable an individual feels with the specific techniques and approaches used in each therapy.

Undoubtedly, personal comfort and the therapeutic relationship are crucial components of successful therapy.

Ultimately, the choice between CBT and CPT should be made in consultation with a mental health professional who can provide guidance based on a thorough assessment of the individual’s needs and circumstances.

Both therapies offer powerful tools for overcoming psychological distress, but their effectiveness hinges on their alignment with the individual’s specific challenges and goals.

CPT vs. Exposure Therapy

I like exposure therapy, that’s how I got over my fear of driving. I slowly got behind the wheel.

Didn’t go anywhere, but just sat there. Then I drove around the neighborhood and eventually on regular streets. It took me at least a month to get used to driving again.

Similar to exposure therapy for PTSD, cognitive processing therapy provides people with information on PTSD. Also, it helps them confront unpleasant memories and thoughts associated with a traumatic event.

However, unlike CPT, exposure therapy doesn’t always assist people in addressing these errors in thinking.

In CPT, a therapist helps confront feared thoughts and memories associated with a traumatic event.

They also assist with learning to correct the maladaptive, unrealistic, or problematic thoughts that may be driving your PTSD symptoms.

Cognitive Processing Therapy Effectiveness

How to find light in the darkness: cognitive processing therapy has proven to be effective. In the final analysis, these positive effects are often visible in clients’ written impact statements.

One study looked at statements written at the beginning and end of CPT treatment and found that people reported a shift to a more positive perspective about their trauma. Also, they were seeing improvements in their:

Firstly, ability to trust themselves and others
Feelings of safety
Happiness levels
Fourthly, intimacy and relationships
Self-esteem
Sense of personal power and ability to control their environments
Lastly, tolerance of negative emotions

Sum It All Up

How to find light in the darkness: cognitive processing therapy is becoming very popular. Therefore, if I ever get back into therapy, I’ll have to ask about CPT. I should say “when” and not “if”. I’m not there because of money issues.

But, I do believe cognitive processing therapy would help me with my PTSD. I have commented in recent posts about how my anxiety has gone from 10 to about a 2 since I started taking Klonopin.

I’ve also had people commenting to me about microdosing. Right now, I think I’ll stick with the Klonopin since it is working and I don’t feel like I’m getting addicted to it.

But, I only take 1 a day. It’s also helping with the PTSD by keeping my anxiety down. If the Klonopin stops working, I’ll consider microdosing.

If you get a chance to try CPT, let me know how it goes. I hope you have a wonderful day. Until next time…

P.S. I apologize if I don’t have my blog fully optimized yet. I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around things that I don’t understand or can’t figure out. Another factor, I’m also doing med changes, so my brain is a little ‘foggy.’ Although, I’m trying to work through it.

Motivation is another factor. I can sit here and put out posts each day because I’m used to it, but trying to build my site is another matter. Like I said, it has to do with figuring things out. So I ask, please be patient with me. Thanks.

Articles About Cognitive Processing Therapy

-Cognitive Processing Therapy

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/cognitive-processing-therapy

– Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ptsd/cbt-ptsd.asp

-Difference Between CBT vs CPT: What You Need to Know

https://bvpsychsolutions.com/difference-between-cbt-vs-cpt-what-you-need-to-know

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions

“There is no timestamp on trauma. There isn’t a formula that you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed. Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm.” – Dawn Serra

“Bad things do happen how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.” – Walter Anderson