Beyond Symptom Relief: How Two Evidence-Based Therapies For PTSD Reclaim Lives

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The psychological impact of past traumas, like assault, abuse, a serious accident or fire, a natural disaster, combat, or other life-threatening situations, can leave lasting impressions on the mind, influencing thoughts, emotions, and behavior in ways that interfere with everyday life. But, recovery from PTSD is possible. Evidence-based therapies for PTSD – specifically Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy – have helped thousands of people clear a path forward for recovery. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of these trauma-focused therapies, including symptom reduction and a strong focus on quality of life improvements. We include anonymous quotes from those who did Cognitive Processing Therapy or Prolonged Exposure Therapy on the improvements they experienced (as they were reported in the research studies – Hundt et al., 2017, Kehle-Forbes et al., 2025). We also include links to media coverage of reporting on people’s experiences, including the benefits of these therapies. 

Evidence-based therapies for PTSD that go beyond the surface

What is Cognitive Processing Therapy?

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT; Resick, Monson, Chard, 2024) is a first-line, evidence-based trauma-focused therapy for PTSD. In this therapy, you learn to identify and challenge thoughts and beliefs about the trauma(s) and the aftermath. CPT teaches you skills to examine these thoughts and beliefs, usually through a writing assignment or worksheets to fill out, and encourages considering more nuanced views. With consistent practice, your symptoms begin to reduce, which clears a path for recovery.

What is Prolonged Exposure Therapy?

Prolonged Exposure (PE; Rothbaum, Foa, & Hembree, 2007) Therapy is another first-line, evidence-based trauma-focused therapy for PTSD. In this therapy, you gradually face trauma-related memories, situations, and emotions in safe and controlled environments. Avoidance may seem to work in the short-term as it reduces distress. But in the long-term actually reinforces the fear and interferes with recovery. PE involves two components. One component is imaginal exposure, where you retell your trauma memory repeatedly and process it in a safe and structured way. The other component is in-vivo exposure, where you face situations and activities you’ve avoided that your brain has inaccurately labeled as dangerous. Consistently practicing both components can lead to decreased PTSD symptoms and clear a path for recovery.

 

Read more about what CPT and PE involve here: First-line therapies for PTSD you deserve to know about

Benefits of CPT and PE

1. Experience relief from symptom reduction

Recent articles review the impact of CPT and PE on PTSD symptoms (Resick et al., 2024 and McLean & Foa, 2024, respectively). CPT and PE have been shown to significantly reduce PTSD symptoms. That looks like less frequent and less intense:

    • Nightmares

    • Intrusive memories

    • Flashbacks

    • Feeling on guard

    • Jumpy/easily startled

    • Negative emotion – guilt, shame, etc.

    • Avoidance of trauma-related reminders in our environment and in ourselves – like situations, activities, people, thoughts, memories, and emotions.

Symptom reduction is a major benefit. And it’s just the start of the benefits with these therapies. 

Symptom reduction opens the door to additional benefits. As we reduce what’s been holding you back, it clears a path forward for reclaiming what matters to you – things like a greater sense of control, confidence, and/or stronger relationships with your loved ones. Let’s dive into the impact of CPT and PE on quality of life!

2. Improvements in quality of life

A recent study from Kehle-Forbes and her colleagues (2025) examined the impact of CPT or PE on Veterans’ quality of life in different areas. Veterans were interviewed up to 3 months after they finished therapy. Not only did they report the therapy significantly decreased their symptoms, but it also helped them reclaim their functioning, satisfaction, and well-being in different areas of their lives. 

Researchers from the study (Kehle-Forbes et al., 2025) identified six areas of potential improvement. Veterans most commonly reported improved quality of life in two areas. 

See below for what Veterans had to say about how CPT or PE improved their daily lives (as reported in Kehle-Forbes et al., 2025):

More engaged in social interactions 

    • “I don’t sit there and zone out while people are talking as much. I can talk to people and groups of people, like if we go out at night.” 

Deeper and more connected relationships

    • “I can tell people what I’m going through now. Before I wouldn’t tell them nothing, now I tell them why I do certain things.” 

    • “I can talk to other people, like my neighbor who is my best friend, I can talk to him a little about what went on. And I’ve never done that with anybody before.”

Feeling more effective with parenting 

    • “I’m a little bit calmer, more understanding with my kids without losing my cool. I’m a little more patient. It strengthened my relationship with my husband and children.”

    • “This summer I took my kids to the waterpark. And I sat like…when we went into the wading part, I sat in the water with my kids, and we were playing. I wasn’t worried about getting jumped or anybody hurting me or hurting them.”

    • “I’m back to playing with my kids. I’m living life. I’m laughing with my kids. I’m going outside and playing with my kids, sports, video games, whatever it was. I’m not yelling as often, I’m not as angry as often, my fuse is longer.”

Feeling more confident and effective at work/school 

    • “I assert myself [at work] a lot better. It still feels weird, and it still feels upsetting, but I don’t have anything to lose by asking for what I need. PE has helped me a lot with my esteem.”

    • “It’s just made me more productive. I’ve been more successful at school and work lately.”

Engaging more in activities, hobbies, and community

    • “I’m back to playing with my kids. I’m back to truly laughing. I’m back with cooking food occasionally and grilling out…You know, I got to enjoy baseball again.”

    • “I went to a festival that I had been going to for a few years. But whenever I’d go, I really didn’t have that much fun because I was always focusing on the people and the men…and not wanting to be noticed. I’d be there but really didn’t enjoy it. And this time, I was able to go to this festival and get involved at looking at the arts and crafts and was able to focus on that and not the men around me. And I actually had a nice time.”

Feeling more joy and happiness

    • “It made me feel more alive… I can do this… I haven’t done some of these things in like 10 years. This is awesome.”

    • “This trauma guilt, this weight, this trauma weight has definitely lessened off my shoulders, which has made life a lot more enjoyable, and I can definitely see the benefits at home and at work, and in my day-to-day life.”

3. What clients’ improvements from therapy mean to them

A different study (Hundt et al., 2017) asked Veterans about their experience with CPT or PE. Their feedback underscored the benefits they experienced from therapy. See below for example quotes of what Veterans had to say (as reported in Hundt et al., 2017):

Gain clarity

    • “Understanding why I did things the way that I did things. Because I had no idea…. it’s changed it from the standpoint of saying, ‘That’s what’s making you think like that.’” 

Feel a greater sense of control

    • “I learned that it was not necessarily my fault; that I could not have changed it if I’d have wanted to because had I stayed another two or three minutes I would’ve been laying on the floor beside him.  And I never thought that train of thought; I only thought that I should have saved him.”

    • “The result of those worksheets was a saying that I have developed even for my wife.  I say, ‘That’s one way of thinking; isn’t it? What’s the downfall?’”

    • “Now, I have some skills. It’ll be uncomfortable and hurtful but not devastating to the point to where I’m going to say, ‘You know I just can’t do it; I’ve got to check out.’” 

Wish they had done the therapy earlier

    • “Thirty-seven years…I wish I had got it before. Maybe it could’ve saved my marriage.”

Most reported a positive experience with the therapy in spite of challenges they encountered

    • “It’s worth it in the end.”

Want to know more about the benefits experienced from CPT and PE? Check out this media coverage on people’s experiences with CPT or PE. 

    • HERE.IS.BETTER. is a film documentary following the experiences of 4 veterans as they do CPT, PE, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy for PTSD. Learn more about the documentary and watch it here: https://hereisbetter.org/.

Takeaways

Doing CPT or PE – first-line, evidence-based therapies for PTSD – can be life-changing for many. The research and powerful feedback from those who have done CPT or PE demonstrate that the therapies do more than reduce symptoms. They open the door to reclaiming your life and moving forward with confidence and clarity. Whether it’s finding joy in everyday moments, deepening relationships, or feeling more confident at work, these therapies have helped people rebuild with lasting strength. 

You deserve a life that isn’t defined by your past. Whether you’re searching to find a trauma specialist or looking for trauma therapy, I’m here to help. Using CPT or PE, I can help you peel back the layers of your trauma(s), validating your journey and empowering you to recover, not just “cope.” Sometimes peeling back those layers will hurt and stink (like an onion), but once we have it cleared out, then true recovery can begin. And the results of these therapies are worth the effort. 

Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free 15 minute initial consultation at www.melissagoldsmithphd.org/contact/.

References

Hundt, N., Barrera, T., Arney, J., & Stanley, M. (2017). “It’s worth it in the end”: Veterans’ experiences in prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 24(1), 50-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2016.02.003 

Kehle-Forbes, S. M., Baier, A. L., Ackland, P. E., Spoont, M., Polusny, M. A., Schnurr, P. P., Galovski, T., & Meis, L. (2025). “It made me feel more alive”: A qualitative analysis of quality of life improvements following completion of trauma-focused therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 38 (1), 158-164. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23091

McLean, C. P., & Foa, E. B. (2024). State of the science: Prolonged exposure therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 37 (4), 535-550. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23046

Resick, P. A., LoSavio, S. T., Monson, C. M., Kaysen, D. L., Wachen, J. S., Galovski, T. E., Wiltsey Stirman, S., Nixon, R. D. V., & Chard, K. M. (2024). State of the science of Cognitive Processing Therapy. Behavior Therapy, 55, 1205-1221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2024.04.003

Resick, P. A., Monson, C. M., & Chard, K. M. (2024). Cognitive processing therapy for PTSD: A comprehensive therapist manual (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.

Rothbaum, B. O., Foa, E. B., & Hembree, E. A. (2007). Reclaiming your life from a traumatic experience: A prolonged exposure treatment program. Oxford University Press.

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