Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Training

Training Features

  • Target treatment population: adolescents and adults (ages 16+) with PTSD
  • Two 8-hour training days and a 2-hour pre-training webinar
  • 6 ½ months of weekly closed group consultation calls (8 per group)
  • Offers training in treatment of PTSD
  • Virtual format

Full Description

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a trauma-focused evidence-based treatment that is effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD in older adolescents and adults with multiple types of trauma. CPT provides a way for clients to understand why recovery from traumatic events is difficult and how symptoms of PTSD affect daily life. The focus is on identifying how traumatic experiences change thoughts and beliefs, and how thoughts influence current feelings and behaviors. An important part of the treatment is addressing ways of maladaptive thinking that can keep individuals “stuck” and get in the way of recovery from symptoms of PTSD and other problems. Through a successful course of CPT, individuals learn to challenge their unhelpful, unrealistic thoughts about the traumatic experience, the world and themselves, and as a result can heal and live a more, full meaningful life with the absence of PTSD symptoms. CPT has been implemented in a variety of treatment settings and can be conducted in individual or closed group formats. 

General Eligibility Requirements:
Each consortia has a different set of eligibility criteria, please note where each one differs:

The Northern Virginia Regional Consortium for Evidence-Based Practice (NVRC):

  1. Participant must be affiliated with one of the 5 Region 2 Community Services Boards (City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun or Prince William Counties)
  2. Participant must meet the stated education, licensure, professional specialty, and/or experience requirements outlined for the specific training for which they are applying.
  3. Participant must have an active caseload of clients with whom use of the CPT Treatment Protocol is appropriate, and must be able to maintain this caseload for the 6-8 months of required post-training consultation calls.

Unless otherwise stated in a training program's official applications open announcement, all of the above criteria apply.  There are programs with additional requirements and programs with exceptions to these criteria; additions and exceptions are listed within training announcements and should not be assumed applicable across programs.

Email CEBBH@gmu.edu for further information and eligibility requirements.