Cognitive Processing Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Twelve-Step Approach and Skills Report

Introduction

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a common issue that many people experience after specific tragedies and adverse events. Many treatments were researched to find adequate support for these patients and minimize stress. However, among others, one should stress Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which has shown particular benefits and effectiveness in helping people. The twelve-step approach, as well as other specifications of CPT, give the healthcare provider a vast set of instruments to significantly improve the patient’s outcomes regarding PTSD.

Record. Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills of CPT to Treat PTSD

Among different ways for PTSD training, one should stress Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which assumes particular steps to help the patient after stress disorder. Primarily, this therapy consists of twelve weekly sessions, which are delivered sequentially (Bettmann, 2019). One should highlight that the primary focus of this therapy is on the specific negative cognitions or beliefs of the patient, such as negative self-talk and significant depression while experiencing PTSD (Bettmann, 2019).

While considering the use of CPT, it is essential to state that this methodology for treating PTSD was elaborated in the late 1980s (Galovski, 2020). Notably, it was developed to treat patients with severe PTSD symptoms after their experience of sexual violence (Bettmann, 2019). In addition, among specific issues on which CPT is focused, it is essential to name natural disasters, child abuse, combat, and others.

Remarkably, CPT has a reputation as the best method of treating PTSD due to the possibility of providing patients with step-by-step qualitative support. In addition, there is a modified version of CPT. According to Bettmann (2019), “a modified version of CPT, which increased the number of sessions to 16 and shortened treatment length to 4 weeks” (p. 177). Consequently, it is difficult to overestimate the helpfulness of Cognitive Processing Therapy in terms of providing rational and qualitative treatment of PTSD.

Knowledge in PTSD Treatment

The most critical knowledge that added to my knowledge base regarding how to treat PTSD is the peculiarities of CPT’s application. In particular, I understood the essentiality of the step-by-step method, which is based on the CPT’s twelve-stage approach. It allowed me to realize that patients have different needs during various stages of recovery. Therefore, the support should be delivered appropriately and in accordance with these priorities.

Skills That Were Obtained

Among the skills that I learned, I want to mention how to approach patients who have experienced trauma. Mainly, the first steps require attentiveness to their demands and careful consideration of the treatment’s specifications. As a result, this issue will help me to help patients with such problems as negative self-talk and high depression levels.

As an integral part of the training, such skills as collaboration with parents to minimize children’s posttraumatic stress disorder (American Psychiatric Association, n.d., p. 74). In addition, the integral part of the training assumes close collaboration with many patients’ relatives and friends to find the most rational and helpful approach. However, during the study, I did not find particular evidence regarding the benefits of Socratic questioning to treat PTSD.

Establish. The Overall Goal and Learning Outcomes

By the end of the training course, I expect to obtain two significant outcomes. First, I want to understand the particular characteristics of PTSD, its peculiarities, and possible treatments. Using this knowledge, I hope to better realize the patients’ needs and communicate with them effectively. The second learning outcome is to research the benefits of CPT and understand the settings in which this method is used. As a result, while considering the study’s overall goal, I want to rationally apply CPT, using all twelve stages of this approach concerning the peculiarities of PTSD.

Frame. The Rationale for Treating PTSD Using the CPT Model

Cognitive Processing Therapy is crucial to treat patients with PTSD because it provides healthcare specialists with a constructive and sequential basis for their actions. CPT can be considered an evidence-based practice, having been studied in various types of research and demonstrating practical benefits in treatment (Wattenberg, 2021). Moreover, CPT establishes strict time frames that correlate with the treatment, allowing the patient to obtain prompt and qualitative help.

Link. The Incorporation of CPT Counseling Skills

The primary skill that I will use while providing treatment using CPT to patients with PTSD is the ability to collaborate with the patient’s relatives, parents, or friends. This method is crucial because it enables healthcare providers to understand the unique needs, behavioral characteristics, and cultural aspects of each patient (American Psychiatric Association, n.d.). Moreover, I will implement the twelve-step approach provided by the CPT technique in my practice to enhance the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the treatment. Notably, these skills and knowledge will be incorporated practically.

Evaluate. Measuring the Effectiveness of Two Activities

To measure the effectiveness of incorporating knowledge regarding PTSD’s characteristics and CPT’s approach, it will be essential to evaluate the patient’s state constantly. For example, while applying CPT, it is crucial to understand outcomes and impact on the patient after each of the twelve stages of the method. The patient’s health state and positivity may be vital indicators for understanding the effectiveness of the mentioned knowledge. As documentation, I will provide daily assessments based on the observations of the patient’s behavioral changes and health indicators.

Connect. New Perspectives and Personal Approach

As the new perspectives were discussed in the first three steps of this paper, it is essential to stress the twelve-step CPT approach and the importance of the involvement of other people in the treatment of PTSD. My personal approach will utilize trackers, such as sports trackers and other indicators, which can help not only to collect specific data regarding patients’ healthcare but also to increase their positivity (Galovski et al., 2020). I will anticipate clients responding by comparing the information obtained from trackers and their personal statements.

Target. Personal and Professional Goals

The personal approach, which I set as a goal for myself, is vital to emphasize the importance of establishing better patience and stress resilience during communication with patients. The goal I set for myself regarding professional skills involves implementing a new, modified version of CPT. After researching the twelve-step approach and highlighting its benefits for the patient with PTSD, it is crucial to broaden the horizon and apply these modifications. I plan to meet these goals by practicing on an everyday basis, providing treatment to patients with different levels of PTSD difficulty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential to state the helpfulness of Cognitive Processing Therapy because it provides an understandable and coherent basis for treating patients with PTSD. Notably, information discussed by authorities such as the American Psychiatric Association highlights CPT as the most efficient among other instruments. The healthcare provider’s personal experience can be connected with the proposed twelve steps of treatment to increase the help and support for the patient. However, further research is needed to identify additional benefits and peculiarities of the modified version of CPT.

References

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. DSM-5-TR [5th Ed.]. American Psychiatric Association.

Bettmann, J. E. (2019). Evidence-based psychotherapy with adolescents: A primer for new clinicians. Oxford University Press.

Galovski, T. E., Nixon, R. D., & Kaysen, D. (2020). Flexible applications of cognitive processing therapy: Evidence-based treatment methods. Elsevier Science.

Wattenberg, M. S., Gross, D. L., Niles, B. L., Unger, W. S., & Shea, M. T. (2021). Present-centered group therapy for PTSD. Embracing Today.