Cognitive Processing Therapy for Rape Victims: A Treatment Manual

While Cognitive Processing Therapy was originally developed for rape victims it is now being adapted to use to treat military servicemen and women with PTSD. Patricia Resick is now working with the VA and a recent study "Cognitive Processing for Veterans with Military Related PTSD" indicates that this model is effective. The majority of current research recommends exposure therapy for the treatment of military related PTSD. However, this form of therapy has a high drop-out rate because it requires the patient to "relive" their trauma. Cognitive Processing Therapy offers an alternative model that includes education and stress reduction techniques and can be as effective but less traumatic for the patient. Over time it could replace the exposure therapy model as the preferred treatment.