Accelerated Virtual Cognitive Processing Therapy with Kristen Hunt, PLMHP
- Kristen Hunt
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
Complete a full 12-session protocol of trauma-focused treatment beginning in July 2026.
This July, Phoenix Psychology therapist, Kristen Hunt, PLMHP, will be offering an accelerated format of trauma-focused therapy conducted virtually using evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Prolonged Exposure (PE). This involves 12 sessions of trauma treatment and 1-2 sessions of discussing trauma therapy and deciding whether it is a good fit.
Rather than meeting once weekly, accelerated treatment involves meeting 3–4 times per week over the course of 3–4 weeks. Many clients find this format helpful for building momentum, maintaining emotional continuity in treatment, and engaging deeply in the healing process without long gaps between sessions or “being in therapy forever.”
This model may be appropriate for individuals experiencing:
PTSD or trauma-related symptoms
Avoidance connected to traumatic experiences
Persistent guilt, shame, fear, or hypervigilance
Difficulty moving forward despite insight or prior therapy
Because this is a more intensive model of care, we would first determine whether accelerated treatment is clinically appropriate and feasible for your current needs and schedule.
She currently has [3] virtual openings available for July.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What should I expect?
The first step is to call our office at (402) 810-8833 to discuss scheduling.
Private pay and specific insurance plans accepted (BCBS and Medicaid, UHC Community Plan and Molina).
June 2026: We will schedule 1-2 sessions to discuss treatment goals, whether trauma treatment is a good fit, what to expect in therapy, and to schedule July sessions. We will also collaboratively decide whether to engage in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Prolonged Exposure (PE). More information about these treatments is below.
July 2026: We will engage in 12 sessions of trauma treatment.
July 2026: You will have completed a full protocol of trauma-focused therapy!
Is trauma-focused treatment right for me?
This is something we would talk through together, but a helpful starting point may be by asking some of the questions below. If these sound like what you are experiencing, trauma treatment may be the next step in healing.
Do you have unwanted thoughts of a traumatic event that “intrude” on you?
Has your understanding of yourself or the world changed in a negative way?
Do you feel persistently down, or have a hard time feeling pure happiness or joy since the event?
Do you feel like your head is “on a swivel” or that you get startled more easily than before?
What if we meet and decide trauma treatment isn’t a good fit?
If trauma treatment isn’t the right fit, we would talk through recommendations for other types of therapy and could connect you to another provider at our site, or referrals in the community. This way, any time spent during the initial consultation session is useful to identify the therapy that fits best.
What is a “trauma-focused protocol”?
Sometimes, people are hesitant to engage in trauma-focused therapy because they worry about “being in therapy forever,” or that “opening up” a traumatic event will only make things worse. A trauma-focused protocol is not traditional talk therapy; it is a highly-structured approach with an agenda for every session.
If you choose Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), the focus will be on thoughts–or cognitions–about the traumatic event that are getting in the way of recovery. Examples might include, “I am worthless,” “No one can be trusted,” or “The world is a completely dangerous place.”
In Prolonged Exposure (PE), you and Kristen will confront the memory directly, ultimately loosening its “grip” on your life. We will also identify a list of things you may be avoiding (typically, these are things that remind you of a traumatic event, like certain movies, smells, or places, being in public or crowded places, having sex) and begin to target them through behavioral activation.
What is accelerated trauma therapy?
Accelerated treatment condenses evidence-based trauma therapy into a shorter, more intensive timeframe while maintaining the core components of treatment. Rather than meeting once weekly, accelerated treatment involves meeting 3–4 times per week over the course of 3–4 weeks.
Is accelerated therapy effective?
Yes. Research suggests that intensive or accelerated delivery formats of CPT and PE can be highly effective for many individuals experiencing PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.
Is this right for everyone?
No, this is not right for everyone. This treatment is intensive and is only designed for people who have experienced a traumatic event and are experiencing ongoing symptoms that “get in the way” of the life they want to live. Because this is intensive, this treatment is best suited for people who are ready to begin trauma work–because it is work. Accelerated treatment is not appropriate for every person or circumstance. We would discuss fit, readiness, scheduling, and safety considerations before beginning.
Will I have to talk about the traumatic event in therapy?
This depends a lot on which treatment you choose, but yes, both CPT and PE involve talking about the traumatic event to some degree. In CPT, there is some focus on the event itself, but most sessions focus more on what thoughts you have now and how the trauma is impacting you now. In PE, part of therapy is directly processing the trauma by talking about it in-depth.
Will there be homework?
Yes! In CPT, most homework will be worksheets that challenge you to deeply explore your thought patterns, and which ultimately prepare you to “be your own therapist” after therapy ends. In PE, homework involves re-listening to sessions, readings, and engaging with things you may have been avoiding since the event.
Trauma-focused treatment sounds intense. Has Kristen done this before?
Yes, trauma-focused treatment is her passion as a therapist, and she has been rigorously trained in both CPT and PE by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). She has worked with civilians and Veterans who have been exposed to an array of traumatic events–from sexual assault and abuse to war-related combat exposure. This treatment is hard work and can be very difficult at times, but in her experience, it is well worth it. She would be happy to discuss more or to answer any questions you may have before you commit to a full 12-session protocol.