Trauma-Focused Approaches
Cognitive Processing
Therapy (CPT)
CPT is a trauma-focused cognitive behavioural treatment in that it focuses on how thoughts are connected to emotions and behaviours. CPT has been shown to be an effective treatment for trauma-related problems like PTSD The goal of CPT is to decrease symptoms of PTSD including distress about memories of the trauma, negative beliefs and feelings about the trauma and feelings of anxiety or stress associated with the trauma. Clients learn strategies to challenge beliefs about the trauma that are inaccurate or unhelpful using worksheets and exercises. A full course of treatment is 12 sessions long and clients have practice assignments each week.
Trauma-Focused Therapy for Self-Harming Behaviours
Many people with PTSD also struggle with other problem behaviours like eating disorders, substance use, and self harm. Often, these behaviours are used as a method of coping with upsetting traumatic memories, which, while helpful in the short term, can have negative long term consequences and can ultimately make PTSD symptoms worse. Growing research suggests that treating PTSD and these other problems together is the most effective approach. I specialize in this kind of integrated treatment using evidence based treatments and techniques to help clients get maximum relief from their trauma and associated symptoms.