Find a Cognitive Processing Therapist at Layla
Make sense of what happened and move forward with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Layla connects you with a registered therapist trained in CPT to help you understand how a difficult or traumatic experience has shaped the way you see yourself, others, and the world, and to support you as you work through it.
Therapy offered on weekends, weekdays, and evenings. In-person or virtual, depending on your location. Often covered by benefits.
Content on this page has been clinically reviewed by Dr. Danielle Rice, Certified Psychologist, College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO)
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What is Cognitive Processing Therapy?
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a structured, evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy developed to support people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps you explore how a traumatic experience has shaped your beliefs about yourself, others, and the world, and work through the thoughts that keep you feeling stuck.
At the centre of CPT is the idea of stuck points: beliefs that can take hold after a traumatic experience, often about blame, safety, or trust. They might sound like "It was my fault" or "I can't trust anyone." Over the course of therapy, you and your therapist explore these beliefs across five areas often affected by trauma: safety, trust, power and control, esteem, and intimacy.
Therapy usually begins and ends with an impact statement, a short written reflection on how the experience has affected the way you see yourself and the world.
How does Cognitive Processing Therapy work?
CPT is structured and goal-oriented, following a set sequence of sessions. Together with your therapist, you will:
- Reflect on how a difficult experience has shaped your beliefs
- Identify the stuck points that may be keeping you from moving forward
- Explore those beliefs through guided questions and worksheets
- Practice new ways of thinking about trauma both within and between sessions
- Look back on what's changed and what you'd like to keep working on
What can Cognitive Processing Therapy help with?
Memories that keep resurfacing
Work through the meaning behind memories or reminders that pull you back to what happened.
Blaming yourself
Explore the "I should have" thoughts.
Hypervigilance and feeling on edge
Look at the beliefs that keep your mind on alert, even when you're somewhere safe.
Avoiding people, places, or things
Understand what's behind avoiding certain places, people, or conversations, and what it might look like to move toward them at your own pace.
Feeling disconnected
Rebuild a sense of closeness with the people and parts of life that matter to you.
Trouble concentrating or sleeping
Explore how what happened may be affecting your focus and rest.
Why choose Layla for Cognitive Processing Therapy
Personal match
We’ll help match you with a therapist who aligns with your goals, concerns, and preferences
Flexible formats
In-person, virtual, or hybrid sessions available in many major cities
Registered, vetted therapists
vetted through a multi-stage interview process before being accepted to our therapist community
How Layla guides you towards your therapist match
Tell us what you’re looking for
Complete our intake form to help us understand what your goals, preferences and needs are.
Complete our matching call
Over a matching call, a care coordinator will ask a few questions to guide their selection of therapists who they think best align with you.
Start your first session
After you choose your therapist, you’ll book your first online or in-person therapy session.
Take the first step
Then you'll connect with a Care Coordinator who will support you through the matching process.
Frequently asked questions
CPT works through conversation, reflection, and worksheets that help you examine the beliefs formed after a traumatic experience. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) uses guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while you recall a memory. Both are trauma-focused approaches. The one that fits best depends on your needs and preferences, and your therapist can help you explore which may suit you.
If you’re looking to explore something in more depth or aren’t sure what the goal is yet, Layla’s care coordinators can help you figure out which therapist in our community may be a good fit for you.
Yes, Layla has therapists who offer therapy using the Cognitive Processing Therapy both online and in-person depending on your location, therapists availability and your preferences. Your care coordinator will help guide you to finding the right match for your goals.
Yes. Cognitive Processing Therapy is a trauma-focused therapy, meaning it works directly with the effects of a traumatic experience. It was developed to support people living with PTSD, and focuses on how trauma has shaped your thoughts and beliefs about yourself, others, and the world. Learn more about trauma therapy at Layla.
Layla connects you with registered therapists trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy. Share what you're looking for, and we'll help match you with a therapist in our community who aligns with your needs, whether that's CPT specifically or another trauma-focused approach. Sessions are available virtually across Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Alberta, and in person depending on your location.
Valerie Tsang
Valerie is a Registered Psychotherapist who has worked for more than a decade in community mental health. She holds a Masters of Arts in Psychology from Médaille College and a Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Toronto. Valerie has extensive clinical experience working with individuals and groups on addressing diverse mental health concerns including complex trauma, suicidal ideation, concurrent disorders, and the impact of socioeconomic status on mental health. She is passionate about exploring the role of digital health technologies on reducing health disparities in the mental health sector. Outside of work, Valerie enjoys baking, working on her green thumb, and visiting local coffee shops.
Dr. Siqi Huang
Hello! Thank you for taking the time to invest in your well-being. I'm a clinical and health psychologist based in Ontario. I have experience in assessing mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD), as well as health-related mental health concerns (e.g., distress related to somatic symptoms, pain, or becoming ill). My goal is to create a collaborative assessment experience where we gain a better understanding of your current functioning, and to discuss individualized recommendations to help you address barriers to well-being.
Dr. Sahar Bhaloo
Psychologist, Co-founder and Clinical Supervisor at Flourish Psychology and Coaching, works in Global Mental Health and Complex Trauma.
Dr. Danielle Rice
Clinical and Health Psychologist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Assistant Professor at McMaster University.
Diane Corrales
With a bachelor of science degree and a product management certification, Diane combines her scientific and technical knowledge with her passion for championing a client-centered and human-focused approach in the healthcare and wellness realm. She supports the operations and delivery of Layla's service, fostering a supportive and effective community for mental health professionals and clients alike.
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Saretta Herman
Saretta brings over a decade of experience working in various mental health settings. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work where she is currently an Adjunct Lecturer. She started her post-graduate career working at the Clinic on Dupont where she practiced for over 5 years while also working in Children’s Mental Health in community, residential, and youth justice programs. She currently works in private practice and previously was a part of the Health and Wellness team at the University of Toronto. She is passionate about issues of social justice and systemic issues that contribute to mental health challenges. She is interested in supporting people on an individual level and also holds a strong interest in organisational and systemic changes that can help improve people’s lives more generally.In her free time, Saretta enjoys playing hockey, cooking, gardening in the summer, and spending time with her family.