Treating Trauma Using CBT:Prolonged Exposure & Cognitive Processing Therapy

Live Online Workshop

Open to the public

6 CE hours are available for select professions. Please continue reading below for more information on the event.

• CSSW Alumni: Please email [email protected] for promotional code. Your email should contain your full name at the time you graduated and the year you graduated.
• Groups of 5+: select the appropriate group ticket when registering and enter the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
• CSSW Practicum Instructors supervising a CSSW student during the current or upcoming academic year: Please email [email protected] for promotional code. Include the name and year of the CSSW student you are supervising for the academic year.
• Current CSSW employees: Please email [email protected] for your OPE benefit. Your email should contain your full name and position.
• Other Columbia University faculty, staff, alumni: Please email [email protected] for the promotional code. Your email should contain your full name, position, and/or year and school of graduation. Email must be from your Columbia University email domain.

Did you know that the only therapies that the American Psychological Association strongly recommends for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Therapy (CT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE)?

Furthermore, the National Center for PTSD highlights PE and CPT as two of the top three therapies for treating PTSD. Reflecting their proven effectiveness, every VA Medical Center in the US is required to offer patients access to PE or CPT.

Join Dr. Constance Abruzzese for an interative workshop that will equip participants with the treatment structure and principles of both PE and CPT, highlighting their similarities and distinct characteristics. An initial overview of PTSD and the rationale of using CBT for trauma treatment will set the stage. Language to present these treatment options to patients will be provided along with psychoeducation strategies. Participants will practice creating exposure-based treatment plans in PE. Participants will also understand and identify “stuck points” used in CPT. This workshop will integrate live practice, treatment planning, and conclude with a Q&A segment.

As a result of this workshop, participants will be better able to:

1. Understand the rationale for addressing trauma using CBT
2. Distinguish between the nuances of PE and CPT
3. Comprehend the foundational principles of both PE and CPT
4. Devise practical exposure strategies for PE
5. Recognize "stuck points" intrinsic to CPT

9:30-9:45 – Introduction and Review Agenda

9:45-10:15 – Demystifying PTSD and Establishing the Rationale for a CBT Approach

10:15-10:45 – Contrasting PE and CPT: Guiding Patients on Treatment Selection

10:45-10:55 - Break

10:55-11:10 – Introducing Patients to PE

11:10-12:20 – Principles and Implementation of PE

12:20-1:00 – Hands-on: Crafting Exposures in PE

1:00-2:00 – Lunch

2:00-2:15 – Introducing Patients to CPT

2:14-3:30 – Principles and Implementation of CPT

3:30-3:40 – Break

3:40-4:25 – Hands-on: CPT Impact Statement and Pinpointing Stuck Points

4:25-4:45 – Q&A session

CSSW is thrilled to welcome back Dr. Constance Abruzzese (). Dr. Abruzzese is a licensed clinical psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist. Up until January 1, 2025, she served as an Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology at CUIMC and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

You will be sent an email containing the Zoom link at 6 p.m. ET the evening before and again 1 hour prior to the webinar start time. If you do not receive an email containing the webinar link by the times indicated here then check your SPAM folder and email us at [email protected] if you need further assistance.

Please also note the following:

• You will be required to sign-in with your full name and answer a few registration questions.

• See Continuing Education information and requirements below if receiving CE hours.

6 live, online CE contact hours will be awarded to NY, NJ, and CT licensed social workers*, NY psychologists* , and NY mental health counselors *who have met the attendance requirements below.

Social Workers: CSSW is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. Provider #SW‐0021

*Social workers from other states, please confirm with your state licensing board. Please note that we do not specify type of credits (general, cultural competence, clinical, etc.) Many states have recognized Columbia University School of Social Work continuing education hours as we are a CSWE accredited institution and approved by the NYS Education Department to provide continuing education.

Psychologists: CSSW- OPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists. Provider #PSY-0194.

*Psychologists from other states, please confirm with your state licensing board.

Mental Health Counselors: NYSED State Board for Mental Health Practitioners recognizes the Center for Prolonged Grief as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0104)

*Mental health counselors from other states, please confirm with your state licensing board.

Please note that in order to receive your continuing education certificate, you must attend the entire workshop and complete the evaluation in accordance to NYSED regulations. There is a 10 minute grace period. Any participant who arrives/logs in past 9:40 AM OR leaves/logs out earlier than 4:35 PM will not receive CE credits. Refunds are not provided for late arrivals or early departures. Please plan accordingly.

CE Distribution: Evaluation and Certificate forms will be distributed via email within 1 week following the event to those meeting the attendance requirements above.

Special Accommodations: If you require disability accommodations to attend/participate in an event at Columbia University School of Social Work, please contact the Office of Professional Excellence at [email protected] at least 10 days in advance of the event.*

For events posted less than 10 days in advance, contact [email protected] as soon as possible.

Grievance Policy: For information on our grievance policy, click here.

Fees will be refunded less a $5 processing fee, if email notification is received by the Office of Professional Excellence up to 14 days prior to the workshop date.

Refunds will not be provided to those not meeting the attendance requirements.

Event Venue

Online