Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Improving PTSD with Cognitive Processing Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based treatment for people 14 and older with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CPT helps people recognize how trauma has changed their view about themselves, others and the world and helps them develop new, more balanced perspectives. This treatment has been shown to help improve symptoms of PTSD and depression. Caregivers who receive CPT can experience reduced parenting stress and their children can show improvements in behavior.

The average length of treatment is 8 to 14 sessions, but can vary from person to person. CPT has been successfully integrated into outpatient mental health services, residential programs, intensive outpatient programs and specialty programs including substance abuse programs.

The average length of treatment is eight to 14 sessions, but can vary from person to person. CPT has been successfully integrated into outpatient mental health services, residential programs, intensive outpatient programs and specialty programs including substance abuse programs.

CPT Outcomes

Decreased post-traumatic stress symptoms
Decreased depressive symptoms

Decreased suicidal thoughts
Improved functioning

Criteria for CPT Training Eligibility

CPT is a good fit for clinicians who have at least one year of post-Master’s clinical experience at the agency with a cognitive-behavioral orientation. Clinicians should be comfortable with a directive approach in clinical treatment and able to accept constructive feedback well. Good engagement skills (e.g., low no-show rates, positive feedback from clients) and motivation to learn and grow skills and to implement evidence-based practices are important. Interested clinicians should experience compassion satisfaction from treating clients with trauma histories.

Training Requirements

CPT Learning Collaboratives train teams from community based mental health agencies. Our model relies on clinicians training together with an administrative leader from their agency to ensure successful implementation and sustainability.

CPT Learning Collaboratives include five virtual training days with weekly clinical consultation calls between training dates. In order to graduate, clinicians must submit documentation and audio recordings of some CPT sessions and complete a full course of CPT with at least two clients.

Team Requirements

Senior Leaders (at least one per team) must: Have administrative responsibility within their organization and/or within the local mental health community
Have the authority or influence to make systematic changes (e.g., policies, procedures, budgeting) to support the implementation of CPT within their organization and/or across the community

Clinicians Must:

Be a licensed clinician in North Carolina, including clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychological associates, psychologists, child psychiatrists, nurse specialists or practitioners (provisionally licensed applicants will be considered)

Who Should Apply?

Applicants are encouraged to apply as part of a team, which can bolster clinical implementation and model sustainability efforts both during and after the training period. When reviewing applications, preference will be given to committed teams with a highly supportive Senior Leader. Individual practitioners are also welcome to apply and may be paired with other individual practitioners for support/peer supervision during the Learning Collaborative.

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Is CPT Right for Your Agency?

CPT is a good fit for agencies with leadership and staff who strive to be trauma-informed in the services provided and are committed to evidence-based and evidence-informed treatment. The agency should have a referral base with a large number of clients or caregivers 14 and older with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

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