Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
in person for Lubbock, TX and virtually for all of Texas
CPT is a structured, present-focused therapy that helps you identify and shift the beliefs trauma left behind — about safety, trust, control, esteem, and intimacy — so you can carry your story without it running your life.
Accepting new clients --- Most Insurances Accepted
IS THIS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Who Benefits from CPT?
CPT was developed specifically for PTSD and is one of the most rigorously studied trauma treatments available. It may be right for you if:
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You've been diagnosed with PTSD or are carrying symptoms after a traumatic event — combat, assault, abuse, an accident, or another life-threatening experience
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You find yourself stuck on thoughts like "It was my fault," "I can't trust anyone," or "The world isn't safe"
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Guilt, shame, or self-blame about what happened feels just as heavy as the fear or grief
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You avoid people, places, or conversations that remind you of the trauma
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Your view of yourself, other people, or the world has felt fundamentally different since the trauma
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You want a structured, time-limited approach with clear tools and homework rather than open-ended talk therapy
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You're a veteran, first responder, or survivor of interpersonal violence looking for a first-line, VA/DoD-recommended treatment
CPT doesn't ask you to relive the trauma in detail. It focuses on the meaning you made of it — and helps you test whether that meaning still holds up.
THE APPROACH
How CPT Works
After a traumatic event, many people get stuck on beliefs that helped them make sense of what happened — but that end up keeping them stuck in fear, guilt, or shame long after the danger has passed. CPT calls these "stuck points": thoughts like "I should have done something different" or "No one can be trusted." CPT is built on the idea that it's often these beliefs — not just the memory itself — that drive ongoing PTSD symptoms.
Over 12 structured sessions, you and your therapist will learn to identify stuck points and examine them using guided worksheets, working through five key themes: safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy. You'll practice noticing unhelpful thinking patterns and testing your beliefs against the evidence — not through avoidance or reassurance, but through structured self-examination. Some clients also write a detailed account of their trauma (a version called CPT+A) to help identify stuck points tied to the narrative, while others complete CPT using worksheets alone — both versions have strong evidence behind them, and your therapist will help you choose the right fit.
CPT is designated a first-line PTSD treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the American Psychological Association, with decades of research — including with combat veterans, sexual assault survivors, and refugees — showing significant, lasting symptom reduction. Sessions are typically weekly, though twice-weekly formats can compress treatment into about six weeks for clients who want faster progress.
Evidence-Based Care
CPT is a first-line, gold-standard PTSD treatment endorsed by the VA/DoD and the American Psychological Association.
80%+ of clients who complete the full 12-session CPT protocol no longer meet criteria for PTSD in clinical trials
THE PROCESS
What to Expect
Step 1: Reach Out
We'll match you with a CPT-trained therapist. Many clients are seen within 1–2 weeks. Let us know if CPT is specifically what you're looking for — we'll prioritize that match.
Step 2: Your First Session
Early sessions focus on understanding your trauma history, learning how PTSD symptoms and stuck points connect, and introducing the worksheets you'll use throughout treatment.
Step 3: Start Making Progress
As you work through the five themes over the following weeks, most clients notice their guilt, shame, and fear responses begin to loosen — replaced by a more balanced, evidence-based view of themselves and the world.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to write out my trauma story in detail for CPT to work? -- Not necessarily. CPT has two versions: one that includes writing a detailed trauma account (CPT+A) and one that relies on worksheets alone (CPT). Both have strong research support, and your therapist will help you decide which fits you best. Even in the version with a written account, the focus stays on examining the beliefs and meaning attached to the trauma — not on repeatedly reliving it.
What's the difference between CPT, EMDR, and Prolonged Exposure? -- All three are first-line, evidence-based PTSD treatments, but they work differently. CPT focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful trauma-related beliefs through cognitive worksheets. Prolonged Exposure focuses on gradually and repeatedly approaching trauma-related memories and situations to reduce avoidance. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories without extensive verbal processing. Your therapist can help match you to the approach that fits your history, goals, and preferences — and some clients benefit from a combination.
How many sessions does CPT take? -- CPT follows a structured 12-session protocol, typically delivered weekly (about 3 months) or twice weekly (about 6 weeks) for clients who prefer a more compressed timeline. Some clients need additional sessions to consolidate gains, especially after complex or repeated trauma — your therapist will tailor the pace to your needs.
Is CPT only for combat veterans? -- No. CPT was developed and first studied with sexual assault survivors and has since been validated across many trauma populations — combat veterans, first responders, survivors of domestic violence and abuse, refugees, and survivors of accidents or other life-threatening events. It's a general PTSD treatment, not a veteran-specific one, though it is a preferred treatment within VA and military health systems.
What exactly is a "stuck point"? -- A stuck point is a belief formed around the trauma that is overgeneralized, inaccurate, or keeps you feeling stuck — for example, "It was my fault," "I can never let my guard down," or "I can't trust my own judgment." These beliefs often made sense as a way to process an overwhelming event, but they tend to generalize beyond the trauma itself and interfere with daily life. Much of CPT involves identifying your specific stuck points and testing them against the evidence.
Is CPT available via telehealth? -- Yes. CPT translates well to telehealth — worksheets can be shared and completed together over video, and the structured, session-by-session format works naturally in a virtual setting. Research supports its effectiveness delivered remotely. We offer telehealth CPT to clients anywhere in Texas.
Will there be homework between sessions? -- Yes — practice assignments are a core part of CPT. Between sessions, you'll complete short worksheets that reinforce the skills you're learning, such as identifying stuck points or examining a belief for balance and accuracy. This practice is part of what makes CPT effective in a relatively short, structured timeframe.
What if I have more than one traumatic experience? -- CPT works well for both single-incident and complex, repeated trauma. Rather than processing every traumatic event individually, CPT targets the stuck points and belief patterns that tend to show up across your history — which is often more efficient when trauma has occurred more than once. Your therapist will help identify which memory to use as an index event and how to structure treatment around your full history.
How do I get started? You can reach out through our contact page or click the Get Started button to request an appointment. Taking that first step is often the hardest part — I'm glad you're here.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Issues We Treat with CPT
CPT is used at Flatland Counseling for PTSD and the trauma-related beliefs that often accompany it.