CPT Themes
There are five themes that are areas in life that were affected by trauma or as a result of trauma.
These themes are:
- Safety
- Trust
- Power/Control
- Esteem
- Intimacy
Each theme takes the view of how I view myself and how I view others.
Self Esteem
According to the Cognitive Processing for PTSD: A Comprehensive Therapist Manual: Second Edition by Patricia A. Resick, Candice M. Monson and Kathleen M. Chard work sheets, esteem beliefs related to self is defined as:
Beliefs in your own worth. Such beliefs are a basic human need. Being understood, respected, and taken seriously is a basic development of self-esteem.
Examples of Esteem Stuck Points are:
I am permanently damaged or flawed.
Because I am worthless, I deserve to be unhappy.
Possible Alternative Thoughts are:
Even if I have mistakes in the past, that does not make me a bad person deserving of unhappiness or suffering.
Sometimes bad things happen to good peopler. If something bad happens to me, it is not necessarily because I did something to cause it or believe I deserves it.
Esteem Related to Otherds
According to the Cognitive Processing for PTSD: A Comprehensive Therapist Manual: Second Edition by Patricia A. Resick, Candice M. Monson and Kathleen M. Chard work sheets, esteem beliefs related to others is defined as:
Beliefs about how much you value other people. Realistic views of others are important to psychological health.
Examples of Esteem Stuck Points Related to Others are:
People are basically out for themselves.
All people are bad.
People will hurt you if it allows them to get ahead.
Possible Alternative Thoughts are:
When some (members of a particular group) do bad things, not all (members of this group) are out to hurt me.
While some people will hurt me, other people do have my best interests at heart.
If I meet someone and they hurt or disrespect me, I do not need to stay in a relationship with them.
People will make mistakes, but a good friend will try to learn from it and not do things again that may hurt me.
People sometimes make mistakes. I will try to find out whether they understand their behaviour bothered me and if they are willing to change how they treatment me. At that point, I can end the relationship if they will not change and it is something I choose not to accept.
Middle Path & Choices
I still struggle with people. However, I am much better than I once was.
If something or someone does not feel safe, I look to the Middle Path. Then I think about what feels right for me – my values, my beliefs.
I may not always be on the Middle Path when it comes to other people, but I am striving to get there.
Self Esteem
Since Walk For Peace began in the United States, a significant shift has happened within me.
A spiritual awakening.
A belief in my self – worth as a woman who has finally found self-acceptance and inner peace.
As I follow the monks on their walk, each day I remind myself that, today is going to be my peaceful day.
Any time I feel out of sorts and overwhelmed I come back to my breath. I repeat, today is going to be my peaceful day.
S, 🌻
