CPT-SA: Therapy for Sexual Assault Survivors
What if I told you that you could lead a life where your sexual trauma no longer consumes the majority of your days?
The article emphasizes Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) as a highly effective treatment for sexual assault survivors. It aims to inspire hope, provide guidance, and help potential clients determine if CPT is the right therapeutic approach for them. For those not yet ready for therapy, the article offers various resources to support their healing journey. The article was inspired by a client's successful completion of therapy after a dedicated 2.5-year commitment.
CPT helps understand and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs stemming from the trauma, ultimately leading to healing and a better quality of life. While it's a long-term commitment requiring dedication and vulnerability, the article offers resources and testimonials from survivors who successfully overcame their trauma through CPT. This technique requires good rapport between the client and clinician as you will be exploring aspects of the trauma and how it is affecting you today.
Things to know
This is not a short-term therapy. Depending on your therapist, this can be a long-term intervention that can take 1-2 years. Although the manual states it can be done in 15-18 weeks.
It helps resolve the issue at its core instead of causing a temporary fix. Clients find deep healing instead of other interventions that might rush results.
CPT also equips clients with various grounding and coping techniques to manage their emotions better. These skills serve as a foundation for safety, comfort, and reassurance, reminding clients that they are in control and can rely on themselves. Grounding techniques can be particularly comforting as they help reconnect the body with the present moment.
The general timeline of CPT
First, learning coping skills and grounding techniques
Then, create rules and understanding of faulty beliefs
The next steps involve learning about CBT and familiarizing oneself with ABC worksheets
Then, write out the trauma account, read it to themself daily, and process it thoroughly in therapy
Next, moves on to challenging questions worksheets: reflection questions
Then, challenging beliefs worksheets: reflection questions
Then lastly, clients will explore and dissect themes of safety, trust, power/control, esteem, assertiveness & communication, intimacy, social support
As a result of therapy, clients will:
Practice Self-Compassion More: What happened to clients is not their fault. Many survivors/victims still blame themselves for what happened, and this can affect self-esteem and beliefs. I’ve seen that abuse affects how one’s confidence in their daily life, decision-making, career, and interpersonal relationships. Therapy can help clients re-narrate negative beliefs and help to practice positive beliefs about themself.
Gain a Sense of Control in Your Life: Clients feel like they have control over what thoughts occupy their minds as well as control over their lives. We’ll identify what your triggers are and how we can manage them, even when things are out of your control.
Decrease Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Clients may be experiencing feelings of hypervigilance (“on edge/on your toes”), flashbacks, vivid nightmares, increased anxiety, and bouts of depression. Learning new coping skills can help you feel grounded, and processing your trauma with a professional can ease feelings of hopelessness and isolation.
Feel More Emotionally Regulated: This goes hand in hand with increasing mindfulness. Being emotionally regulated and knowing how to ease tension in your body can help you feel more present in your life. This results in more positive memories and replaces bad experiences with fulfilling ones.
Increased Mindfulness: Clients will be able to stay more in the present moment and leave their past trauma in the past.
Feel Like Yourself Again: Many of my clients expressed this feeling of being out of place, not themselves or dissociating/feeling numb, especially during moments of joy. After about one year of work, my clients have reported feeling more like themselves - a feeling they’ve forgotten what it feels like.
Get Reconnected to Others: Sometimes, survivors/victims of SA will find themselves isolating from loved ones, recoiling into unhealthy habits/coping, and giving up on dating entirely. By fostering safety in your life, identifying red flags, and building new social networks, you can reconnect with loved ones and new friends.
Feel Sexually Safe: It is your human right to experience pleasure and safety in your own body. Whatever feelings you are experiencing are all valid. Based on professional experience and client reports, it doesn’t have to be this way forever. You can feel safe, happy, and fulfilled. We will get through this together - we’ll find a path that works for you.
Is CPT-SA (Cognitive Processing Therapy for Sexual Assault) for you?
I am ready to set aside 1-2 hours outside of therapy to complete homework and self-reflections. All homework is directly relevant to your healing - there is no busy work.
I want to dive deep into my trauma and understand where certain beliefs derive.
I am open to being vulnerable with myself and my therapist.
I am looking for a long-term solution and am willing to commit time and dedication to my healing.
I am open to exploring ways to help myself feel better.
I want to tackle my trauma head on, but I don’t know where to start.
Advice from a graduated SA survivor: it takes dedication and hard-work. You really need to sit down for hours each week to reflect and complete the assignments.
Testimonials from SA Survivors and their Experience with CPT
“After 2.5 years of therapy, I’m in a different place and can’t unsee what I know.”
“I’d give CPT-SA a 10/10 for effectiveness. It worked really well. Parts of it were rough to get through. CPT had me re-live it in a way that I’m not scared of it anymore.”
“I didn’t want to keep feeling how I was feeling, and this helped me gain a new way of looking at life.”
“Learning new grounding techniques were incredibly helpful when I got triggered.”
“I have a better relationship with porn and am able to enjoy sex again.”
“I know what triggers me and am aware of ways to keep myself safe.”
“I’ve developed a stronger relationship to myself - as a human and a sexual being.”
“I no longer have as many flashbacks, nightmares, and am able to date again.”
Not ready for therapy? That’s okay. Here are some resources. There are plenty of resources to remind you that you’re not alone. When you are ready, I will be here to tackle this journey with you. I am not sponsored by any of the following resources.
(This part was recommended by a graduated client. Shout-out to her for suggesting it!)
Books / Audiobooks
Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D - great book to start with if you want to learn about female sexuality, anatomy, and research behind sex. Learn about turn ons (accelerators), turn offs (brakes), and how our body understands sex.
Sex Without Pain: A Self-Treatment Guide to the Sex Life You Deserve by Heather Jeffcoat DPT - if you’re experiencing pain during sex, this is a great book if you are unable to see a pelvic floor physical therapist at this time.
Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk - explains how trauma is stored in the body. This book discusses research, neuroscience, and treating trauma from a clinical perspective.
Podcasts
Recommendations by Sexual Assault Advocacy Network - https://www.saancommunity.org/podcast-series
Sex and Psychology with Dr. Justin Lehmiller
Come As You Are Podcast with Emily Nagoski, Ph.D
We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle and Audacy
Grounding Techniques: it is recommended you practice these techniques daily, as they can help reduce heart rate, promote a sense of calmness, and bring you back to the present.
54321 Senses Grounding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30VMIEmA114&t=6s&ab_channel=ThePartnershipInEducation
Butterfly Hug: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGGJrqscvtU&t=1s&ab_channel=TYFSupportGroup
Box Breathing: https://www.healthline.com/health/box-breathing#slowly-exhale
Phone Applications
Slumber: For people experiencing insomnia.
Finch App: Have a bird friend who helps support you on your mental health journey. The more you take care of yourself, the more your “birb” friend goes on adventures and shares explorations with you.
Daylio: Daily emotion tracker, bullet journaling.
Are you ready to reclaim your life after sexual trauma? Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) offers a proven path to healing. This evidence-based therapy helps survivors challenge negative thoughts, develop coping skills, and regain a sense of control and safety.
At Angel City Therapy, our experienced therapists specialize in supporting survivors of sexual assault. We understand the unique challenges you face and offer a compassionate and supportive environment. If you're ready to take the first step toward healing, schedule a consultation today.
Don't let sexual trauma define you. Let's work together to build a brighter future.
Start by Scheduling a Consultation
Want to work specifically with the author of this article, Emerald Aueyong, AMFT? Schedule a consultation on her page: https://www.angelcitytherapy.com/emeraldaueyong
