Trauma-Focused Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) are all evidence-based approaches commonly used to help individuals recover from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and distressing life experiences — but each works in a different way.

CPT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful beliefs and thought patterns that may develop after trauma, helping individuals reduce shame, guilt, and self-blame.

ART uses guided eye movements and visualization techniques to help the brain reprocess distressing memories and reduce emotional intensity, often without requiring clients to describe traumatic experiences in detail.

PE helps individuals gradually and safely confront trauma-related memories, emotions, and avoided situations so the brain can learn that these triggers are no longer dangerous in the present.

Together, these approaches offer different paths toward healing, allowing therapy to be tailored to each person’s needs, goals, comfort level, and experiences.

At Skeleton Key Counseling, Emily Groteboer-Distad has experience with CPT and PE while Andy Klotz is experienced with ART. Additional information about the three approaches is included below.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Evidence-Based Therapy for Trauma, PTSD, and Recovery. Therapists experienced with CPT: Emily Groteboer-Distad

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals recover from trauma and reduce symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). CPT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful beliefs and thought patterns that can develop after traumatic experiences.

Emily is also trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy is used to help clients better understand how trauma has affected the way they view themselves, others, and the world. Through a structured and supportive process, clients learn to challenge beliefs connected to guilt, shame, fear, trust, control, and self-worth.

How Cognitive Processing Therapy Works

Trauma can leave people feeling stuck in painful beliefs such as:

  • “I should have prevented it.”

  • “I can’t trust anyone.”

  • “The world is unsafe.”

  • “I’ll never recover.”

  • “What happened was my fault.”

CPT helps individuals recognize how trauma may influence thinking patterns and emotional reactions. Clients learn practical skills to evaluate these beliefs, reduce self-blame, and develop more balanced and adaptive ways of thinking.

The goal is not to forget the trauma, but to reduce its ongoing impact and help individuals move forward with greater clarity, flexibility, and emotional freedom.

What CPT Can Help With

Cognitive Processing Therapy may help individuals experiencing:

  • PTSD and trauma symptoms

  • Shame and self-blame

  • Anxiety and hypervigilance

  • Depression related to trauma

  • Guilt connected to past experiences

  • Intrusive thoughts or distressing memories

  • Difficulty trusting others

  • Emotional numbness or avoidance

CPT is commonly used for trauma related to military service, abuse, assault, accidents, grief, medical trauma, first responder experiences, and other distressing life events.

What to Expect in Therapy

CPT is a structured and collaborative therapy process that helps clients better understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Sessions may include:

  • Learning about trauma responses

  • Identifying “stuck points” or unhelpful beliefs

  • Practicing cognitive restructuring skills

  • Exploring themes such as safety, trust, power, control, esteem, and intimacy

  • Structured exercises between sessions to reinforce progress

Clients are encouraged to move at a manageable pace while working collaboratively with a trained therapist.

Benefits of Cognitive Processing Therapy

  • One of the most researched treatments for PTSD

  • Helps reduce guilt, shame, and self-blame

  • Builds healthier and more balanced thinking patterns

  • Evidence-based and trauma-informed

  • Can improve emotional regulation and relationships

  • Helps individuals reconnect with values, goals, and daily life

Learn More About Cognitive Processing Therapy

To learn more about Cognitive Processing Therapy and PTSD treatment research, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CPT resource page.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) in Minnesota

Effective Trauma and Anxiety Therapy Using ART. Therapists experienced with ART: Andy Klotz

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an evidence-based therapy approach designed to help individuals process trauma, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, grief, and distressing memories without needing to repeatedly relive painful experiences. At Skeleton Key Counseling, Andy uses Accelerated Resolution Therapy to help clients reduce emotional triggers, physical stress responses, and the lingering impact of difficult experiences. ART combines guided eye movements with visualization techniques to help the brain reprocess distressing memories in a safe, structured, and effective way. Many clients notice improvement within just a few sessions.

What Can ART Help With?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy may help with: Trauma and PTSD Anxiety and panic attacks, Intrusive thoughts, Grief and loss, Phobias and fears, Stress and emotional overwhelm, Disturbing memories, Shame and self-critical thinking. ART can also be beneficial for individuals who have not experienced the results they hoped for with other therapy approaches.

What Makes ART Different?

Unlike some trauma-focused therapies, ART does not require detailed retelling of traumatic experiences. Clients remain fully in control throughout the session while working collaboratively with a trained therapist. Sessions are typically about 60 minutes and focus on helping the brain reduce the emotional intensity connected to distressing memories and triggers.

Benefits of Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Brief and focused treatment approach: Many clients experience relief within a few sessions. No detailed retelling of trauma required. Evidence-based and trauma-informed. Helps reduce emotional and physical distress responses. Structured, collaborative, and client-centered.

Learn More About ART

To learn more about Accelerated Resolution Therapy, visit the official ART website


Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)  

Evidence-Based Treatment for PTSD, Trauma, and Anxiety. Therapists experienced with PE: Emily Groteboer-Distad

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is a structured, evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals reduce the impact of trauma, fear, and avoidance. PE is one of the most researched and effective therapies for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related anxiety.

Emily uses Prolonged Exposure Therapy to help clients gradually confront trauma-related memories, emotions, and situations that may feel overwhelming or difficult to face. Over time, this process can reduce fear, emotional distress, avoidance behaviors, and the sense of being “stuck” in survival mode.

How Prolonged Exposure Therapy Works

After trauma, many people naturally begin avoiding reminders of painful experiences. While avoidance may provide short-term relief, it often strengthens anxiety, fear, shame, and hypervigilance over time.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy helps individuals safely and gradually approach:

  • Trauma-related memories

  • Distressing thoughts and emotions

  • Avoided places, situations, or activities

  • Physical sensations connected to anxiety or fear

Through repeated and supported exposure, the brain learns that these memories and triggers are no longer dangerous in the present moment.

What PE Can Help With

Prolonged Exposure Therapy may help individuals experiencing:

  • PTSD and trauma symptoms

  • Panic and anxiety

  • Hypervigilance

  • Avoidance behaviors

  • Intrusive memories or flashbacks

  • Shame and guilt related to trauma

  • Fear-based restrictions in daily life

  • Distressing reactions connected to past experiences

PE is commonly used for trauma related to military experiences, accidents, abuse, medical trauma, first responder experiences, grief, and other overwhelming life events.

What to Expect in Therapy

PE is a collaborative and structured therapy process tailored to each individual’s pace and goals. Sessions often include:

  • Education about trauma and avoidance

  • Learning grounding and coping strategies

  • Gradual exposure exercises inside and outside of sessions

  • Processing emotional reactions in a supportive environment

Clients remain in control throughout treatment, and therapy progresses at a manageable pace with guidance from a trained clinician.

Benefits of Prolonged Exposure Therapy

  • One of the most researched PTSD treatments available

  • Helps reduce avoidance and fear over time

  • Can improve confidence and daily functioning

  • Evidence-based and trauma-informed

  • Helps individuals reconnect with meaningful activities and relationships

  • Effective for many forms of trauma and anxiety

Learn More About Prolonged Exposure Therapy

To learn more about Prolonged Exposure Therapy and PTSD treatment research, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs PTSD resource page.