CPT is well-suited for patients who have trauma-related beliefs that interfere with their here-and-now functioning (“stuck points”).

 

Common stuck points:

-“I am never safe.”

-“I cannot trust others.”

-“Because of my trauma, I am broken.”

 

Sessions are highly structured, generally span 10-to-12 sessions, and involve written homework that is reviewed in the subsequent session. While not required, patients are strongly encouraged to complete a written account of their trauma narrative, and re-writes, to facilitate emotional processing.

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Typical outcomes of this treatment include decreases in posttraumatic stress symptoms and greater thought flexibility. Following this brief protocol, most patients elect to continue in psychotherapy to address remaining symptoms and barriers to wellbeing.