Published by The Counselling HUB · Reviewed June 2026
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is offered at The Counselling HUB in Nanaimo as a specialized treatment for post-traumatic stress. CPT is a structured, evidence-based therapy specifically designed to help people recover from PTSD and the lasting effects of trauma.
After a traumatic event, it is common to develop beliefs about yourself, others, and the world that keep you stuck - thoughts like 'It was my fault,' 'I can never be safe,' or 'I cannot trust anyone. ' These are called stuck points, and they maintain the cycle of distress long after the event has passed. CPT helps you identify these stuck points and systematically evaluate whether they are accurate and helpful.
Through guided worksheets and structured sessions, you learn to challenge and modify these beliefs, reducing the emotional intensity of the trauma and its grip on your daily life. CPT does not require you to repeatedly recount the details of your trauma in the way some other approaches do, which many clients find more manageable. The therapy typically follows a 12-session protocol, making it one of the more structured and time-limited trauma treatments available.
Each session builds on the last, moving from understanding the impact of trauma on your thinking, to identifying stuck points, to developing balanced alternative beliefs. CPT is right for individuals experiencing PTSD symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative mood changes, and hyperarousal following a traumatic event. It is particularly effective for those who notice their thinking has shifted significantly since the trauma - becoming more self-blaming, distrustful, or hopeless.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is available in person in Nanaimo and virtually across Vancouver Island. Book a session or consultation through our online portal to get started.
If you are looking for a focused, evidence-based trauma treatment in Nanaimo, CPT offers a clear and structured path to recovery.
This approach is often used in trauma counselling and individual counselling. To talk through whether it fits what you are experiencing, book a consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions
CPT is a specialized form of cognitive therapy designed specifically for trauma and PTSD. While CBT addresses general thought patterns, CPT focuses specifically on the beliefs and meanings that developed as a result of traumatic experiences.
Writing a trauma account is one option within CPT, but it is not always required. Many therapists use CPT effectively without the written account, focusing instead on identifying and challenging stuck points through worksheets and discussion.
CPT typically follows a 12-session protocol, though some individuals may need additional sessions. It is one of the more time-limited trauma treatments, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
CPT was originally developed for single-incident trauma but has been adapted successfully for complex trauma. For individuals with extensive trauma histories, the protocol may be extended to address multiple stuck points.