Cognitive Processing Therapy Videos Resources

Please Note: These videos are intended for individual provider use only. Use of these videos or audio components, in whole or in part, for any other purpose, including for instructional purposes, is expressly prohibited and is a copyright violation. Reproduction and distribution of the video without written permission of HJF is prohibited. Any illegal reproduction or use of this content will result in immediate legal action. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Christopher.Adams.ctr@usuhs.edu.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD. These videos demonstrate core CPT skills, such as Socratic Dialog, as well as interventions to address common concerns when conducting CPT, such as using the PCL-5 within the context of CPT. Click on the video titles or images below to watch the demonstrations.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Introducing a Patient to CPT and PE: ​Given that both PE and CPT have strong empirical support and have been found to be equally effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD when compared to each other, it may be difficult to decide which approach to use with a client. Presenting a balanced description of each treatment will help your client to make an informed decision that aligns with their unique goals and preferences for treatment. The following videos will provide examples of concise descriptions of the rationale, main interventions, and key differences between CPT and PE. The first video is an example of an abbreviated discussion that may occur at the end of a treatment planning session. The second video is lengthier and provides an example of a more through, detailed discussion.​​

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Helping Clients Choose Between CPT and CPT-C: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) can be delivered with a written trauma account (CPT) or without a written Account (CPT-Cognitive Only, or CPT-C). In this video, a description of both CPT and CPT-C are discussed with the client. Of note is how the therapist uses questions to elicit information and engage the client in deciding which approach to use.​ Please note that this expert demonstration usese terminology from the CPT Therapist's Manual published in 2014. The updated terminology for CPT formats is "CPT" (does not include the written trauma account) and "CPT+A" (includes the written trauma account).

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Identifying the Index Trauma: ​Sometimes clients who have experienced multiple traumas express difficulty in choosing one trauma on which to focus. By asking specific questions and providing a careful explanation of the rationale behind this approach, the therapist works with the client to determine which trauma is most likely causing the majority of symptoms. In addition, the therapist works to resolve misunderstandings or concerns the client may have regarding the choice of one trauma over another.​

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Identifying Stuck Points: ​Identifying stuck points and using the stuck point logs are integral techniques in CPT, but can be challenging for novice CPT therapists. Patients frequently share thoughts and statements that are not quite stuck points. Fortunately, therapists and patients can work collaboratively to identity the underlying stuck point. This segment will demonstrate how to clarify the stuck point associated several different types of statements.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Working with Guilt in CPT: Guilt is an emotion that is commonly encountered when working with trauma. It can be difficult to know how to address guilt in therapy regardless if the guilt is realistic or not. In this video, you will learn ways to help a patient process through guilt and cognitively challenge stuck points. This video will first demonstrate ways you might assist with manufactured guilt through challenging the patient to reconsider their responsibility in the trauma event. The second part of this video will demonstrate how you might handle a trauma where the patient had both intent and responsibility, and the guilt is more realistic. In both cases, you will see how to identify and challenge the patient’s cognitions about the event and their role, and help them move forward in the path toward recovery.​

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Socratic Questioning - The Art of Guided Self-Discovery: Socratic questioning is the cornerstone for CPT, as well as other cognitive behavioral treatments. According to this method, true change within a patient’s problematic cognitions can only take place if it comes from them, through their own words, self-questioning and discovery. In this video, you will see two examples of a therapist questioning a patient. In the first, the therapist is questioning the patient with a clear agenda or direction in which she wants to take the conversation. You will notice that this type of questioning can miss potentially important areas of information that need to be explored. In the second example, the therapist is using the Socratic method to let the patient lead the topic. This type of questioning may take a bit longer, but its open nature allows the patient to share more information and come to conclusions on their own, leading to a deeper understanding and belief in their cognitive shifts.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Utilizing The PCL-5 In CPT - The Unidentified Stuck Point: The PCL-5 is an essential tool that will assist you in monitoring changes in PTSD symptoms as your client moves through the CPT protocol. In this video, you will see brief demonstrations of a therapist using the PCL-5 to address an unidentified stuck point that may be contributing to ongoing symptoms, to differentiate between symptoms of PTSD and general symptoms of distress, and to highlight significant improvement in symptoms during the course of CPT.​

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Describing Cognitive Theory: Session #1 of CPT is an important session, as the provider is laying the groundwork for the sessions that follow.  A major component of this session is providing psychoeducation. Although this means the clinician is doing more talking and instruction than usual, they should strive to make the session as conversational as possible.  This video includes an explanation of cognitive theory, schemas and how they develop, as well as what the “just world” belief is. Notice that in this case, the patient does not immediately see the relevance of this concept to her life.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Patient Does Not Complete the Impact Statement: This video provides a demonstration of how to proceed if the patient does not complete their Impact Statement for session #2. The provider demonstrates how to examine the role avoidance plays in homework assignments. This example also highlights the importance of discussing the role avoidance plays in PTSD early in the treatment process.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Reviewing the Impact Statement: This video provides a demonstration of how to review the Impact Statement that the patient completed for homework. It illustrates the process of having the patient read the Impact Statement aloud, and then the provider and patient working together to begin to identify Stuck Points.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Reviewing a Completed ABC Worksheet: This video demonstrates the review of a completed ABC worksheet. Notice how the therapist guides the patient to choose a Stuck Point that is related to the traumatic event. The goal in this phase is to help the patient separate events, thoughts and emotions. Some minimal reframing can be incorporated at this point.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Utilizing Socratic Dialogue: This video provides a brief demonstration of how Socratic Dialogue can be utilized to explore the details behind a Stuck Point. Notice that the provider works hard to clarify details (define terms, obtain context) and explore assumptions that the patient holds.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Introducing the Exploring Questions Worksheet: This video provides a brief demonstration of how the provider can introduce the Exploring Questions Worksheet to a patient.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Reviewing the Thinking Patterns Worksheet: This video provides an example of you can review the completed Thinking Patterns Worksheet with a patient. Notice that the provider encourages the patient to take the lead while utilizing Socratic Dialogue to continue identifying the relationship between thoughts and emotions.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Introducing the Alternative Thoughts Worksheet: This video provides a demonstration of how to introduce the Alternative Thoughts Worksheet, highlighting that much of the content is already familiar to the patient.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Working through a Stuck Point with the Alternative Thoughts Worksheet: This is a continuation of the "Introducing the Alternative Thoughts Worksheet." It is a demonstration of the patient using the AT Worksheet to examine the Stuck Point, "It's all my fault." 

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Reviewing the Final Impact Statement: This video provides a demonstration of reviewing the final Impact Statement and using it to highlight progress made in CPT, as well as to identify areas that may require additional attention.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: Reviewing the Trauma Account in CPT+: WARNING: This video contains fictionalized details about the physical abuse of children.  This video is a demonstration of the patient reading the trauma account aloud. There are several important components of this activity. 1) Checking in on the experience of writing the account, 2) Allowing the patient to read the account uninterrupted, and 3) allowing space for natural emotions.