PTSD stuck points worksheet
By
HappierTherapy
Author bio
The Happier Therapy editorial team is made up of Masters and PhD counselling psychologists. Each worksheet is created by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The worksheet then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
Download Worksheet
What is the theory behind this PTSD stuck points worksheet?
This worksheet is based on the Cognitive Processing Therapy model for PTSD survivors that focuses on how individuals develop maladaptive cognitions in attempts to understand and process the traumatic event. These are referred to as ‘stuck points’ because they prevent the individual from moving forward on the road to recovery.
Stuck points are always a brief statement based on thoughts about why the traumatic event happened and its effect on oneself, others and the world in general. They are not behaviours, feelings, facts, questions or morals. They usually are structured in an ‘if-then’ format, are black and white statements and make use of extreme language such as ‘never’ and ‘always’. A therapist uses Socratic Dialogue to encourage clients to respond with their ‘stuck points’.
How will the worksheet help?
The primary goal of CPT is to identify as many of these maladaptive cognitions or stuck points throughout the therapy process so that they can be challenged and modified. This worksheet will help the client in compiling all the stuck points that have been identified using multiple strategies in the therapy process. They can track their progress by marking which they no longer believe in.
How to use the worksheet?
Instruct the client to keep a log of their stuck points as they are identified throughout the therapy process. They have to attach it on the front in their therapy workbook/binder and kepe revisiting it to mark off the ones that they have worked through and no longer believe in.
