When Traumatic Beliefs Get Stuck: How CPT Can Help You Move Forward

I hope this newsletter finds you with a peaceful mind and heart.
5-minute read

Photo: Ali Naderi, Pexels

​Have you ever noticed that certain painful memories or beliefs just won’t let go, no matter how much time passes? Maybe you keep replaying a difficult moment, or you find yourself thinking “It was my fault” or “I should have done something different.” Those thoughts can feel heavy, and they often keep us from healing fully. That’s where Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) comes in.

I use CPT in my work with adults across Ohio, both in person and online, to help people who are living with anxiety, mild to moderate depression, grief, or the lingering effects of past stress or trauma. It’s an evidence-based approach that helps you understand how your experiences have shaped your beliefs and find a new way forward.

What Is CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy)?
CPT is a structured, 12-session, research-supported form of trauma therapy that helps you identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts connected to painful experiences. These thoughts, called “stuck points”, can show up as guilt, shame, or fear and often influence how you see yourself, others, and the world.
In CPT, we work together to:

• Recognize how certain beliefs may be keeping you emotionally stuck.
• Gently question and test those beliefs using guided conversation and reflection.
• Replace harsh, critical thoughts with balanced and realistic ones.
• Rebuild trust in yourself and others after painful experiences.

CPT was originally developed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is now widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for trauma-related distress (American Psychological Association, 2023; VA National Center for PTSD).

How CPT Differs from Other Therapies
There are many approaches to trauma therapy, and each has its own strengths. Here’s how CPT stands out among some of the most well-known methods:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CPT is a specialized form of CBT that focuses specifically on beliefs shaped by trauma or loss. While CBT helps people reframe general negative thinking patterns, CPT zooms in on trauma-related beliefs about safety, trust, control, esteem, and intimacy.
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): EMDR focuses on reprocessing distressing memories through bilateral stimulation like eye movements or tapping. CPT, on the other hand, focuses on meaning-making, understanding what you believe about what happened and why.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to values-driven actions. CPT goes a step further by challenging and changing the beliefs that cause ongoing distress.

In short, CPT is about understanding your story in a new way, one that’s rooted in compassion, not blame.

How I Use CPT in My Counseling Practice
​As a licensed professional clinical counselor in Ohio, I review calming practices with clients before starting CPT. I want to make sure you have skills for calming your nervous system while engaging in CPT. Together, we'll focus on helping you:

• Make sense of past experiences without getting lost in them
• Understand how your thoughts influence your emotions and behaviors
• Build confidence and self-compassion
• Create meaning and direction after upsetting events

Every person’s healing process looks a little different. My goal is to create a calm, safe space where you can explore your thoughts, learn new perspectives, and feel more grounded in your everyday life.

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Photo credit: Eric Anada, Pexels

Why Clients Choose Self-Pay Therapy

Working together on a self-pay basis allows us to keep therapy completely focused on you without insurance limitations or diagnostic requirements. I also accept HSA cards and offer a sliding scale of $85 - $125 per session. This approach provides flexibility, privacy, and the freedom to tailor therapy to your specific needs. If you have questions, let me know!

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Taking the Next Step

If you’ve been feeling stuck or replaying painful experiences, CPT can help you find a new way to see yourself and your story. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting, it means understanding, reframing, and reclaiming your peace.

​You don’t have to do it alone.

Visit www.turninginwardllc.com to learn more or schedule a session. Let’s start the process of turning inward and moving forward.

With care,
Tracy Hunt, MSEd, LPCC
Turning Inward Counseling