OPENER
Sometimes negative thoughts keep coming back, disrupting a Veteran’s life. CPT helps a Veteran identify these thoughts, see the damage they cause, and learn how to change them.
CPT is based on the idea that a traumatic event can make you question your core beliefs. For example, a belief that most people are basically good might seem unwise or even stupid after a traumatic event. This might make it hard to participate in activities, even when they seem safe and rewarding, or trust people who you have good reasons to trust – even longtime close friends or family members.
TECHNIQUE
In CPT the focus is on your thoughts and how they affect you – you don’t have to share details of the trauma for it to work. It does require that you talk about how your trauma affects you – things like self-esteem, intimacy, control, safety, and trust.
CPT has four phases:
1. Education: First you will learn about PTSD symptoms, how CPT works, and identify your goals for treatment.
2. Awareness and understanding: You will learn to become more aware of your thoughts and how you may be stuck in them.
3. New skills: You will learn how to question and challenge your thoughts.
4. Belief reshaping: You will learn to balance how you saw the world before and after your trauma.
CPT involves about 12 one-hour weekly sessions, plus homework. You may write a statement about how your thoughts and beliefs since the trauma impact your everyday activities, or complete worksheets that help you to challenge unhelpful thoughts. CPT can be completed in a group or individual setting.