SECTION A.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a therapeutic technique designed to help people deal with traumatic life events and the lasting impact these events may have on their lives.

What Are The Theories Behind This Worksheet?

CPT is a specific type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that is effective in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other forms of trauma.

CBT is a type of psychotherapy in which negative thought patterns are challenged in order to change unwanted behaviour or thinking. CPT then uses the tools of CBT to help patients evaluate and change upsetting thoughts they’ve had since their trauma.

CPT is also considered an evidence-based treatment meaning; its efficacy has been supported by research and is extremely effective for those with PTSD. 

How Will This Worksheet Help You? 

CPT is aimed at helping patients develop more helpful and balanced beliefs about the trauma.

This worksheet will also help patients learn new skills to evaluate their thinking of the trauma, oneself, and the world. 

How Should You Use This Worksheet?

This worksheet should also be used to;

• Increase one’s understanding of PTSD.
• Examine the impact of the trauma on one’s beliefs, thoughts, and feelings/emotions.
• Reduce feelings of anxiety anger, guilt and shame caused by the trauma. 

SECTION B.

CPT THERAPY WORKSHEETS

1. In what ways do you find yourself relieving your traumatic experience?

Example: Nightmares

2. What are some of the unhelpful beliefs and thoughts you have due to the traumatic experience?

UNHELPFUL BELIEFS	UNHELPFUL THOUGHTS

3. What are some of the common changes in beliefs that have occurred due to the traumatic experience?

4. What are some of your PTSD triggers?

5. What emotions are you battling due to the traumatic event?

6. Identify ways you can challenge your unhelpful beliefs and thoughts.

CHALLENGE UNHELPFUL BELIEFS	CHALLENGE UNHELPFUL THOUGHTS

7. Identify ways you can learn to process the trauma. 

8. What helpful skills have you developed to identify and address unhelpful thinking?

9. Identify ways you can reduce feelings of anxiety, anger, guilt and shame caused by the trauma. 

10. What techniques are you developing to face and control your fears?

11. What are you most grateful for today?

This activity should be done daily before going to bed.

12. Daily journal.

Keep a daily journal of your beliefs, thoughts and emotions about the traumatic event in order to break the pattern of avoiding thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma.

This activity will help reduce stress and improve your health and emotional well-being.

REFERENCE:

American Psychological Association. (© 2022). Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Available at: https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/cognitive-processing-therapy. [Accessed November 28, 2022]

Good Therapy. (© 2007-2022). Cognitive Processing Therapy. Available at: https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/cognitive-processing-therapy. [Accessed November 28, 2022]

Simply Psychology. (© 2022). What is Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)? Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-processing-therapy.html. [Accessed November 28, 2022]

You can download this worksheet here.