Treatment of trauma - cognitive processing therapy or prolonged exposure? Analysis of leading approaches within the cognitive-behavioral paradigm

Contemporary understanding of trauma encompasses various forms of experiences resulting in symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Cognitive-behavioral therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) are the main treatment methods for PTSD, differing in their approach to confronting traumatic memories and cognitive restructuring. Research on the effectiveness of these approaches has been conducted with various patient groups, including veterans, individuals experiencing childhood trauma, and those with PTSD from accidents and disasters, demonstrating differences in effectiveness depending on the patient group and type of trauma. The aim of this study is to analyze similarities, differences, and effectiveness of the indicated methods in treating PTSD depending on the therapeutic context.