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Our Calgary Psychologist Clinic has therapists that are experienced in using Cognitive Processing Therapy and other frameworks to treat and process trauma. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a widely recognized and evidence-based therapeutic approach used by psychologists to treat individuals suffering from trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). CPT aims to help individuals process and reframe their traumatic experiences in order to alleviate distressing symptoms and improve overall well-being.
In CPT, the psychologist collaboratively works with the client to identify and challenge maladaptive thoughts and beliefs related to the traumatic event. The therapy is grounded in the idea that the way we think about and interpret our experiences can greatly impact our emotions and behaviors. By addressing and modifying these unhelpful thoughts, CPT seeks to promote healthier cognitive processing and ultimately reduce PTSD symptoms.
The therapy typically involves several structured sessions conducted over a specific timeframe. During these sessions, the psychologist guides the client through a series of cognitive exercises and techniques. These exercises often include writing assignments, discussions, and the use of worksheets, which help the client explore their beliefs, assumptions, and emotional reactions related to the traumatic event.
One fundamental aspect of CPT is the identification of “stuck points.” Stuck points refer to problematic thoughts or beliefs that can hinder the individual’s recovery process. The psychologist helps the client identify these stuck points and assists them in challenging and reframing them using evidence-based techniques. By examining the evidence supporting or contradicting these beliefs, clients gain a clearer understanding of their thoughts and can replace distorted thinking patterns with more balanced and adaptive thoughts.
Throughout the therapy process, the psychologist also addresses the emotional impact of the traumatic event, helping the client develop effective coping strategies to manage distressing emotions. Additionally, CPT aims to enhance the individual’s understanding of the connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, empowering them to make positive changes in their lives.
Cognitive Processing Therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving overall psychological well-being. It is a structured and time-limited therapy that focuses on empowering individuals to actively challenge and modify unhelpful thoughts and beliefs related to their traumatic experiences. By providing a safe and supportive environment, psychologists employing CPT can assist individuals in their journey toward healing and recovery from trauma and PTSD.
Dr. Raheleh Tarani
Clinical Psychologist
English, Farsi, Japanese (basic), Hindi, Turkish, Punjabi, Urdu
The American Psychological Association backs cognitive processing therapy as the leading treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This proven method spans 12 sessions of 60 to 90 minutes each and shows remarkable results in patients of all backgrounds.
Research at scale proves that CPT works better than placebo treatments right after therapy and in later checkups. The therapy’s impact stays strong whether patients receive it in person or through online sessions. Studies report major drops in PTSD and depression symptoms. Clinical trials reveal impressive gains with patients showing fewer PTSD and depressive symptoms after treatment.
Cognitive processing therapy builds on the social cognitive theory of PTSD. We focused on understanding how traumatic events shape people’s beliefs about themselves and the world [1].
CPT helps identify and address “stuck points” – specific thoughts that keep people trapped in trauma-related distress [2]. These stuck points often show up as self-blame, hindsight bias, and feelings of humiliation [1]. The therapy works through three main parts: spotting unhelpful thoughts, understanding how trauma affects us, and learning skills to challenge negative beliefs [3].
CPT and CBT share cognitive-behavioral principles, but CPT stands out with its unique focus on trauma processing [4]. It also explores deeply into past experiences and their effects on current behaviors. This approach tackles five key areas: safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy [5].
The treatment experience usually takes 12 weekly sessions. Individual sessions run for 60 minutes, while group sessions last 90 minutes [5]. Patients start by learning about PTSD and move through several stages:
The first few sessions help you understand PTSD symptoms and thought patterns
The middle phase helps identify and challenge trauma-related beliefs
The final sessions look at specific life areas affected by trauma [6]
Patients use well-laid-out worksheets and writing assignments to process their experiences and develop new views about their trauma [2].
Patricia Resick started the research on cognitive processing therapy back in 1988 [7]. The therapy was first created to help rape victims and went through many clinical trials to test and improve its effectiveness [8].
The researchers published their first trial in 1992, which looked at group therapy for rape survivors [9]. Later, they expanded their research to help people with different types of trauma. Their first randomized controlled trial compared CPT with prolonged exposure therapy and a waiting list control group. Both active treatments showed major improvements in PTSD and depression symptoms [8].
Clinical trials in the 1990s and early 2000s proved CPT worked well with people of all backgrounds. A breakthrough study with female rape survivors found that 85.8% of participants had lived through multiple traumatic events [5]. The therapy worked just as well when interpreters helped Bosnian war refugees [5]. Military veterans also showed remarkable progress – 40% no longer had PTSD after treatment [5].
CPT research has grown to include 44 published randomized controlled trials across eight countries by 2024 [9]. New studies show CPT works well through telehealth platforms [10]. The research confirms CPT’s success in different settings:
Outpatient and residential programs
In-person and remote delivery
Individual and group formats [9]
Scientists now study shorter treatment options. Their pilot studies look at five-day intensive programs that show results similar to the traditional 12-session approach [5].
Research analyzing 34 randomized controlled trials shows how well cognitive processing therapy works to reduce PTSD symptoms [5]. The data reveals a 70% success rate in reducing symptoms [11].
Studies show remarkable results – 89% of people who received CPT did better than those who didn’t get treatment. The benefits lasted too, with 82% of patients keeping their improvements during follow-up checks [12]. Veterans responded particularly well to CPT. About 40% no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis after completing treatment [5]. The largest longitudinal study over 5-10 years showed lasting recovery. Only 22.2% of participants still met PTSD criteria [1].
Clinical trials prove CPT works in a variety of groups:
Veterans experience major improvements in PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and guilt [5]
Sexual assault survivors keep their progress for up to 10 years after therapy [5]
Patients from countries like Iraq and Germany report substantial symptom reduction [5]
The latest research shows both methods work equally well. Telehealth CPT (d = 2.0) matches the success of in-home treatment (d = 2.1). Both options work better than traditional office visits (d = 1.3) [13]. Patients prefer telehealth the most. Only 17% turn down virtual sessions compared to 29% who decline office visits [13]. Fewer patients quit telehealth treatment (34%) than office sessions (43%), though researchers say this difference isn’t statistically significant [13].
Research shows clear patterns of success in cognitive processing therapy for trauma patients of all types. Studies that look at specific kinds of trauma reveal different success rates and recovery patterns.
CPT shows promising results in treating combat-related PTSD. Veterans who received treatment showed these results:
40% no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria after completing therapy [5]
Their depression, anxiety, and guilt symptoms improved substantially [5]
Benefits of the treatment lasted through 5-10 year checkups [1]
Sexual assault survivors respond well to specialized CPT protocols. The research shows that 85.8% of patients with multiple trauma histories, including childhood sexual assault, improved substantially [1]. These improvements lasted up to 5-10 years after they finished treatment [5].
CPT works well for disaster-related trauma, with 30% to 40% of direct victims showing improvement [14]. In spite of that, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy leads to better results compared to control groups [14]. The CPT protocols help disaster survivors by targeting beliefs about natural catastrophes and accidents. This helps them feel safe and in control again.
Several factors determine how well cognitive processing therapy works, from a patient’s personal traits to their therapist’s expertise. Research shows clear patterns in treatment outcomes based on these variables.
A patient’s demographics and personal situation affect how they participate in treatment. Studies show that age and employment status play a role in homework completion [15]. Patients with stable housing, support systems, and higher education levels tend to stay more involved in their treatment [16]. Patients who have experienced multiple traumas or long-term trauma need extra support during their treatment journey [16].
The expertise of therapists plays a crucial role in treatment quality and results. Clinicians who get weekly consultation help their patients achieve significantly better outcomes compared to those who only attended the original training workshops [17]. Therapists who take part in regular clinical supervision feel more confident about their counseling abilities [17]. Their self-confidence improves over six months of CPT training [17].
Treatment adherence data reveals key insights about therapy’s effectiveness:
Early dropout rates reach 33.1% of clients, with half leaving during the first six sessions [18]
A patient’s bond with their therapist predicts whether they’ll complete treatment [18]
Therapists who see more CPT patients have fewer early dropouts [19]
Studies show that therapist-related factors explain 10.9% of early dropouts and 8.9% of adequate dose completion [19]. Patients who work with top-performing therapists have 41% better chances of receiving enough treatment sessions [19].
Recent meta-analyzes show clear patterns in how well different PTSD therapies work. Cognitive processing therapy shows results that match or exceed other evidence-based approaches.
Research comparing CPT with Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy reveals that both treatments lead to real improvements in PTSD symptoms [20]. PE shows slightly better statistical results, but the difference isn’t clinically meaningful [21]. Research also shows that CPT and its culturally adapted versions work better than Narrative Exposure Therapy to reduce PTSD symptoms [3].
The numbers make a strong case for psychological therapy’s value. Studies show that treatment costs average £750 per patient, and half the patients recover [4]. The investment pays off through:
Reduced incapacity benefits
Increased tax revenue from improved employment rates
Lower healthcare utilization costs [4]
Clinical trials give us fascinating insights about treatment length. Research supports both regular weekly sessions and intensive formats over shorter timeframes [22]. A key study showed that patients in intensive CPT finished treatment faster and got better just as much as those in weekly therapy [23]. The intensive format’s dropout rates of 29% match those of traditional weekly sessions [23].
Research that scrutinizes cognitive processing therapy outcomes shows clear patterns in treatment success. Verbal memory performance is a vital predictor. Research shows that immediate verbal memory associates with PTSD symptom improvement [24].
Cognitive functioning determines treatment outcomes. Research shows that verbal learning abilities can predict response rates [24]. Patients with stable housing, social support systems, and higher education levels tend to get more involved in treatment [25]. Research suggests better outcomes for younger patients in CPT and older patients in PE [2].
Complex patient cases create unique challenges in treatment. Studies reveal that 60-70% of patients quit before completing eight sessions [26]. Cognitive deficits affect how well patients understand treatment. Research shows that lower intelligence and education levels associate with higher dropout rates [2]. Therapists must adapt their approaches based on each patient’s cognitive abilities and health conditions [16].
Patient self-management support strategies show promising results. These include:
Education about conditions and treatment options
Goal setting and symptom management
Remote monitoring and decision support
Healthcare navigation assistance [25]
Technology boosts engagement, with 77% of healthcare organizations now investing in better portals and mobile applications [27]. Medical practices that use multiple organizational capabilities adopt patient engagement strategies more often [28]. The mix of well-laid-out support and tech tools creates a better environment for therapy.
Research spanning many years shows clear patterns in how cognitive processing therapy affects patients over time. Clinical trials prove that patients keep showing major improvements in their PTSD symptoms during follow-up periods [29].
Treatment assessments reveal a 47% reduction in PTSD symptoms for CPT participants and 35% for Relapse Prevention (RP) groups [29]. These improvements continue through both 3-month and 6-month checkpoints [6]. The research shows that both individual and group formats work equally well, with similar PTSD severity levels at 6-month evaluations [6].
Studies that tracked patients for 5-10 years after treatment show impressive stability in recovery. The success rate remains strong – 79.5% of CPT participants stay recovered without relapse [1]. Medication patterns indicate that 39% of participants started medication after treatment, showing a slight but meaningful link between medication use and PTSD diagnosis [1].
Treatment adherence is a vital factor to maintain long-term benefits. Research points to several effective prevention methods:
Regular checkups at 3, 6, and 12-month intervals [30]
Combining relapse prevention methods with core therapy elements [29]
Well-laid-out maintenance sessions that reinforce skills [31]
Research confirms that patients who receive extra support show a 73% decrease in heavy drinking and keep their reduced PTSD symptoms throughout the 12-month follow-up period [29].
Scientific evidence shows cognitive processing therapy leads the way in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Patient groups of all types, from military veterans to sexual assault survivors, show symptom reduction rates of up to 70%.
This therapy works well in different formats. Telehealth sessions prove just as helpful as face-to-face meetings. The results speak for themselves – 89% of people who received CPT showed better results than control groups right after treatment. Even better, 82% of patients kept their improvements during follow-ups.
The numbers look even more promising over time. The largest longitudinal study following patients for 5-10 years shows that 79.5% of those who completed treatment stayed on their path to recovery. These results remain strong whatever the type of trauma, though success depends on the therapist’s experience, patient’s readiness, and commitment to treatment.
Research continues to push CPT forward with new methods and adaptations. The therapy’s proven track record in helping people with different types of trauma, plus its adaptable nature, makes it a trusted choice for PTSD treatment. These findings highlight CPT’s vital role in improving trauma recovery and mental health care.
Q1. How effective is Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD? Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) has shown a 70% success rate in reducing PTSD symptoms across diverse patient populations. Studies indicate that 89% of CPT-treated participants showed better outcomes than control groups immediately after treatment, with 82% maintaining improvements during follow-up periods.
Q2. Can Cognitive Processing Therapy be delivered remotely? Yes, CPT can be effectively delivered through telehealth platforms. Recent studies have shown that telehealth CPT produces similar improvement rates to in-person treatment, with lower dropout rates and higher patient acceptability.
Q3. How long do the effects of Cognitive Processing Therapy last? Long-term studies demonstrate that CPT effects are long-lasting. Research spanning 5-10 years post-treatment shows that 79.5% of successful CPT participants maintain their recovery status without relapse, indicating sustained effectiveness over time.
Q4. Is Cognitive Processing Therapy effective for different types of trauma? CPT has proven effective across various trauma types, including military combat trauma, sexual assault, and natural disasters. For instance, 40% of veterans no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria post-treatment, and sexual assault survivors maintained treatment gains for up to 10 years.
Q5. What factors influence the success of Cognitive Processing Therapy? Several factors impact CPT success, including patient characteristics, therapist experience, and treatment adherence. Stable housing, social support, higher education levels, and therapist expertise contribute to better outcomes. Additionally, early engagement and completion of therapy sessions are crucial for optimal results.
[1] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3336190/
[2] – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005796709001375
[3] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3345529/
[4] – https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/national-institute-economic-review/article/costbenefit-analysis-of-psychological-therapy/CBEC26AB2AB0ABC47D0C3F570E0FFA21
[5] – https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/cpt_for_ptsd_pro.asp
[6] – https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/cognitive-processing-therapy-cpt/detailed
[7] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_processing_therapy
[8] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2967760/
[9] – https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/articles/article-pdf/id1634266.pdf
[10] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7272815/
[11] – https://www.osc-ortho.com/blog/what-is-cognitive-processing-therapy/
[12] – https://www.betterliferecovery.com/therapy/cognitive-processing-therapy/
[13] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8763446/
[14] – https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/disaster_longterm_tx.asp
[15] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6112175/
[16] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9832073/
[17] – https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/articles/article-pdf/id1561724.pdf
[18] – https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/articles/article-pdf/id1567223.pdf
[19] – https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/articles/article-pdf/id1570610.pdf
[20] – https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/overview_therapy.asp
[21] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8771295/
[22] – https://psychpd.com.au/a-time-line-on-the-evidence-supporting-intensive-delivery-of-cognitive-processing-therapy/
[23] – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1077722922001079
[24] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7870481/
[25] – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561683/
[26] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10588087/
[27] – https://veradigm.com/veradigm-news/5-strategies-to-elevate-patient-engagement/
[28] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9378564/
[29] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9707793/
[30] – https://vpr.tamu.edu/research/integration-of-cognitive-processing-therapy-and-relapse-prevention-for-alcohol-use-disorder-and-co-occurring-ptsd-a-randomized-clinical-trial-2/
[31] – https://olympicbehavioralhealth.com/rehab-blog/cognitive-processing-therapy/
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Our Calgary Psychologist Clinic works with the best Psychologists and Counsellors to meet your needs. Our therapists are proficient in a range of theoretical frameworks and each have their unique strengths. We all believe in building therapeutic relationships based on respect and trust and put the well being of our clients first and foremost. We are here to help you succeed in achieving your therapeutic goals so that, when you are ready, can move beyond therapy and face your life’s challenges with more optimism and clarity. Whether you are facing depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, family issues, anger or something else, we will do our absolute best to help you!
Our Calgary Psychologists and therapists offer counselling and formal psychological assessment services for individuals, couples, and families. We tailor these services to meet the unique needs of each client. Our goal is to support our clients in achieving their personal and relational goals.
We help families improve communication and solve problems. We also offer assessments for learning disabilities and ADHD. Our support extends to various mental health issues. Our support covers many mental health issues.
Our therapists dedicate themselves to providing a safe and supportive environment for clients of all ages and backgrounds. They help clients explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The team is committed to creating a space where clients can feel comfortable and understood. They strive to help clients on their journey towards healing and growth.
We are here to help with individual therapy, couples counseling, or support for your child, teen or family. We offer counseling services in person and virtually. This makes it convenient and flexible for our clients to access our services. Whatever challenges you may be facing, we are committed to guiding you towards healing, growth, and greater well-being.
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In our Calgary counselling clinic, we help with many mental health problems. Our therapists can assist with a range of issues. These include grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, PTSD, eating disorders, postpartum depression, fears and phobias, ADHD, self-esteem issues, relationship difficulties, OCD and many more.
No matter what you’re dealing with, our therapists are here to provide evidence-based therapy that fits your needs. We want to help you overcome challenges, build resilience, and find more happiness and fulfillment in your life.
Finding a Psychologist or Counsellor that can help you clear your mind and find more inner peace doesn't have to be difficult. Because the therapeutic relationship is so important, we offer a Free Consult. Text or Call Today and get yours!
Our psychologists and therapists draw from a variety of counselling frameworks and theories when working with clients. Learn more about the many different frameworks and theories our psychologists, therapists, and counsellors use.
Yes! We have several psychologists and therapists that offer Calgary Couples Counselling, Marriage counselling and relationship counselling. Check our Couples Counselling service page to see what therapists specialize in providing Couples Counselling in Calgary and Alberta.
Yes! We provide direct billing where we can, it depends on your insurance company and the credentials of the therapist. Sunlife is one of the insurers that do not allow us to do direct billing. For Provisional psychologists we usually can only direct bill for AB Blue Cross and Greenshield. For Assessment work like psychoeducational assessments, we do not provide direct billing. We charge the assessment at the start of the process and when finished, we provide a letter outlining the services rendered that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement.
Yes! We have several therapists that speak multiple languages. Meet our team of psychologists and therapists to see what languages are available.
Our psychologists, counsellors and therapists will, at minimum, have a Master degree in a related field. Many are registered psychologists or provisional registered psychologists who are with licensed with the College of Alberta Psychologists and some are Canadian Certified Counsellors who are registered with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association See our therapists’ bios for detailed information about their credentials.
Our therapists are skilled in a variety of therapeutic frameworks. The most common framework is CBT, but all of our therapists are experienced in at least several frameworks and most are eclectic in the interventions they use, opting to use what works for the client instead of a adhering strictly to a single framework. Each therapist has the types of therapy they use listed on their profile page, and we also have a frameworks section that will list the therapists that use those frameworks on them.
Beyond frameworks, we offer Child, Youth, Couples/Marriage, and Individual counselling for men, women, seniors, and lgbtq identified individuals.
Yes! We have an office located across from Mount Royal University in Southwest Calgary, close to where Crowchild Trail Meets Glenmore Trail, and one office located in Brentwood NW Calgary close to University of Calgary.
Unfortunately, we do not offer sliding scale fees. Our fees can be accessed on our pricing page.
Yes! We offer online video or phone counselling in Calgary and throughout Alberta and beyond. While some clients are not interested in video counselling, we do have excellent therapists who work exclusively online and all of our therapists who offer in-person sessions also offer online video counselling.
We recommend taking advantage of the free consultation option first – you’ll get a chance to meet your therapist and ensure that the relationship is going to be a good fit and that you both believe you’ll be able to benefit from the relationship ahead of spending any money.
If you’re certain you just want to go ahead and book a session, simply send us a text message with your first name, last name, and email address, or provide it through the contact form. We will get you setup in the booking system, send you the intake forms to complete, and when done, get you booked!
Same day turn-around is generally very rare – we are not a crisis treatment center so if you can’t wait a little bit, it’s best to try contacting the Distress Centre.
That said, it does happen that we can get clients in with a therapist right away if there is an opening or a cancellation – the biggest hold up is getting the intake forms completed.
Yes! We offer assessments for both Adults and Children, and we offer Psycho Educational Assessments, ADHD Assessments, and Cognitive Assessments / IQ Tests. See the pricing page for further details. All our assessments are conducted by a College of Alberta Registered Psychologist who specializes in assessment work.
We frequently get asked questions about how long it will take to see improvements. This is a really difficult question to answer and depends more on the client, the issues they are dealing with, and where they are at in their life than the therapist. Our main goal is to help educate our clients and provide them with the tools so that they can improve their lives and move beyond therapy.
Online video counselling *can* be every bit as effective as in-person counselling, but it really depends on the situation. For young children, online counselling is likely not going to be effective because it’s much more difficult to engage them. For people dealing with very difficult mental health issues, or who already believe that online counselling is not effective, it likely won’t be as effective as in-person. However, for many clients who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, online counselling can be extremely effective and can be much more convenient for our busy schedules.
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