Understanding and Utilizing the ABC Worksheet in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD
Understanding and Using the ABC Worksheet in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD
The ABC Worksheet is a core tool in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) used to help individuals with PTSD understand how thoughts influence emotions and behaviors. It helps clients break automatic patterns, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and create healthier emotional responses.
What is the ABC Model?
The ABC Model breaks down emotional reactions into three simple parts:
- A – Activating Event: The situation or trigger.
- B – Beliefs: What the person thinks about the event.
- C – Consequences: Feelings and actions that follow.
Purpose of the ABC Worksheet in CPT
- Helps identify trauma-related thinking patterns.
- Shows how thoughts influence emotional reactions.
- Builds awareness of “stuck points.”
- Encourages cognitive restructuring.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the ABC Worksheet
1. Identifying the Activating Event (A)
This is the situation that triggered distress—something that happened externally or internally (memory, smell, conversation, flashback).
2. Recognizing Beliefs (B)
These include interpretations, assumptions, or meaning assigned to the event. In PTSD, beliefs often include guilt, shame, blame, or fear.
3. Understanding Consequences (C)
This includes the emotional and behavioral responses such as anxiety, sadness, avoidance, anger, or physical symptoms.
Example of an ABC Worksheet
A – Activating Event: Hearing a loud firecracker.
B – Beliefs: “Something bad is happening. I am not safe.”
C – Consequences: Fear, shaking, hiding, avoidance, rapid heartbeat.
Common “Stuck Points” Identified Through the Worksheet
- “It was my fault.”
- “I should have done something.”
- “People can’t be trusted.”
- “The world is dangerous.”
How Therapists Use the Worksheet
- To identify inaccurate trauma-related beliefs.
- To begin cognitive challenges and restructuring.
- To track patterns in emotional triggers.
- To help clients re-evaluate guilt, shame, and fear responses.
Benefits of Using the ABC Worksheet in PTSD Treatment
- Improves emotional regulation.
- Reduces trauma-related automatic thinking.
- Enhances awareness of cognitive distortions.
- Promotes healing and realistic thinking.
- Builds long-term coping skills.
தமிழில் – ABC Worksheet என்ன?
ABC Worksheet என்பது CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) இல், PTSD உள்ளவர்களின் நினைவுகள், எண்ணங்கள், உணர்வுகளின் தொடர்பை புரிய உதவும் கருவி.
- A – Activating Event: நிகழ்வு/தூண்டுதல்
- B – Beliefs: அந்த நிகழ்வைப் பற்றிய உங்கள் எண்ணம்
- C – Consequences: உண்டாகும் உணர்வுகள் மற்றும் நடத்தை
தமிழ் உதாரணம்
A: கார் பிரேக் சத்தம்
B: “ஏதோ விபத்து நடக்கப் போகிறது…”
C: பதட்டம், உடல் நடுக்கம், ஓடிவிடுதல்
இது எப்படி உதவுகிறது?
- தவறான நம்பிக்கைகளை கண்டுபிடிக்க
- உணர்வுகளை கட்டுப்படுத்த
- PTSD காரணமான பயம், குற்ற உணர்வு ஆகியவற்றை குறைக்க