Getting Unstuck from PTSD: Using Cognitive Processing Therapy to Guide Your Recovery

Review
"The book is gentle and reassuring--the authors provide encouragement at every step. At first I was nervous about doing the exercises, but after an hour I could barely write fast enough! One very valuable part of this book is how it helps you distinguish between facts, thoughts, and feelings, and exactly how to deal with each of them. Highly recommended."--Linda H., Saskatoon, Canada
"This is the PTSD self-help book I’ve been waiting for. Not everyone is able to see a therapist. The strategies in this book are informed by extensive research and are written in a way that makes them easy to understand and use."--Debra Kaysen, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University
"If you want to take back your life from PTSD, this book is a gift. The authors are psychologists with many years of clinical experience among them, who write with warmth and compassion."--Tara E. Galovski, PhD, Director, Women’s Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
"I love this workbook--it’s super solid. Besides the information being sound and smart, the way it is presented is perfect. The worksheets and exercises helped make complex, overwhelming emotional issues feel more approachable, so I could understand and work through them."--Mary C., Chicago
"CPT is a truly groundbreaking treatment. This practical, informed, and compassionate workbook teaches you to identify and change the stuck points that trap you in the past, so you can cope better and overcome guilt, fear, and helplessness. This is a book that every trauma survivor should have. It not only will make lives better, but in some cases will save lives."--Robert L. Leahy, PhD, author of If Only…
"Decades of research have shown that CPT is a highly effective treatment. This easy-to-read self-help guide puts the tools for recovery directly into your hands. It is filled with relatable scenarios, tried-and-tested techniques, and helpful solutions."--Reginald D. V. Nixon, PhD, College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, and Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Australia
"CPT enables trauma survivors not only to recover from PTSD, but also to enjoy increased resilience in the face of future stressors and life challenges. Now the developer of CPT, together with her master clinician colleagues, shares this remarkable approach to PTSD recovery directly with readers who may lack access to a formally trained CPT therapist. Invaluable!"--Ann M. Rasmusson, Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
Are you having trouble getting back to normal after a frightening experience? Do you feel stuck second-guessing what you did or did not do in the moment? Do you find yourself avoiding places, people, or sensations that remind you of what happened? Problems like these may be symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The good news is that recovery is possible. This is the first self-help workbook based on cognitive processing therapy (CPT), one of the gold-standard treatments for PTSD. Leading authorities--including the originator of CPT--have created a complete program featuring step-by-step exercises, practical tools that you can download and print as needed, and empathic stories of men and women working toward recovery. Using CPT techniques to systematically reexamine unhelpful thoughts can make the memories less painful and overwhelming. It can help you strengthen your relationships and restore a sense of safety and trust. Learn how to get unstuck from what happened in the past--so you can build the life you want now.