Cognitive Processing Therapy for Veterans with PTSD

Time: 9:00pm-4:00pm

Location: Virtual

Instructor: Scott Michael, Ph.D.

CE credits: 6 CE's (pending)

Course Description:

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is one of the first-line evidence-based treatments for PTSD in the VA-DOD clinical practice guidelines. CPT has been found in numerous studies to be one of the most effective treatments for trauma and PTSD for Veterans. Dr. Michael provides training on the session-by-session protocol so participants receive an in-depth training on all elements of the treatment. Participants will learn how to implement effective CPT techniques for PTSD. Additionally, they will receive training in common cognitive processes for Veteran-specific PTSD.

 Objectives:

At the end of this training participants will:

1. Describe the cognitive theory of PTSD
2. Explain how to complete effective trauma-related cognitive restructuring worksheets.
3. Identify common thought patterns of veterans with PTSD that can often lead to ongoing struggles with trauma.

References:

American Psychological Association (2025). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline

Sandanapitchai, P., & Nixon, R. D. V. (2025). Exploring structural adaptations to Cognitive Processing Therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Behavior Therapy, 56(5), 948-963. Doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2025.03.003

Sandanapitchai, P., & Nixon, R. D. V. (2025). Exploring structural adaptations to Cognitive Processing Therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Behavior Therapy, 56(5), 948-963. Doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2025.03.003

Schnurr, P. P., Chard, K. M., Ruzek, J. I., et al. (2022). Comparison of Prolonged Exposure vs Cognitive Processing Therapy for treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among US veterans: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 5(1), e2136921. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.36921.