Getting Unstuck from PTSD

Description

Anyone who is struggling to recover from trauma can now receive one of the gold-standard treatments for PTSD. This is the first self-help workbook based on cognitive processing therapy (CPT). Leading authorities–including the originator of CPT–have created a complete program featuring step-by-step exercises, downloadable practical tools, and empathic stories of men and women working toward recovery. CPT helps PTSD sufferers systematically reexamine unhelpful thoughts about traumatic experiences, so that the memories become less painful and overwhelming. It helps people navigate the impact of trauma in relationships and restore a sense of safety and trust. Readers learn how to get unstuck from what happened in the past–so they can build the life they want now.
Mental health professionals: see also the authoritative CPT treatment manual for clinicians, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, by Patricia A. Resick, Candice M. Monson, and Kathleen M. Chard.
  "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 Patricia A. Resick, PhD, ABPP, is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical School. Dr. Resick began developing and testing cognitive processing therapy (CPT) in 1988 at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where she founded the Center for Trauma Recovery and was an Endowed Professor. CPT is considered a first-line therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States and several other countries; the CPT treatment manual has been translated into 12 languages. Dr. Resick has served as president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). She is a recipient of Lifetime Achievement awards from ISTSS, ABCT, and Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) of the American Psychological Association, among other honors.
 
Shannon Wiltsey Stirman, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. She has been working with people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and conducting research on PTSD since the early 2000s. Dr. Wiltsey Stirman provides training and consultation in cognitive processing therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy and studies their effectiveness and their implementation in public mental health settings. She has a particular interest in developing digital mental health tools and other approaches to make effective treatment more widely available outside the context of traditional therapy.
 
Stefanie T. LoSavio, PhD, ABPP, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Associate Director of the STRONG STAR Training Initiative. Dr. LoSavio specializes in evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring conditions. She is a national cognitive processing therapy trainer and has provided consultation for numerous research trials and training initiatives. Her research focuses on the effectiveness of interventions for PTSD and adaptations to treatments and training methods to increase the reach of evidence-based care.
  Adult survivors of any type of trauma; also of interest to mental health professionals.
  I. Introduction: How People Get Stuck in PTSD and How to Get Unstuck
1. Overview of This Book
2. How PTSD Keeps You Stuck
3. Making a Plan to Get Unstuck from PTSD
II. Identifying Where You Are Stuck
4. Introduction to PTSD and Trauma Recovery
5. Processing the Meaning of Your Trauma and Building a Stuck Point Log
6. Identifying Thoughts and Feelings
III. Getting Unstuck from Beliefs about the Trauma
7. Beginning to Examine Your Worst Traumatic Event
8. The Exploring Questions Worksheet
9. Introducing Thinking Patterns
10. Using the Alternative Thoughts Worksheets to Balance Your Thinking
IV. Getting Unstuck from Trauma-Related Beliefs about the Present and Future
11. Safety
12. Trust
13. Power and Control
14. Esteem
15. Intimacy
V. Moving Forward
16. Finishing Cognitive Processing Therapy
17. Conclusion
Appendix
Resources
Index
 

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