Cognitive Processing (CPT) Therapists in Raleigh, NC
You don’t have to move through life transitions alone or quietly. Therapy is most effective when it feels collaborative, grounded, and authentic. I work alongside my clients to gently unpack unhelpful patterns—whether they show up as anxiety, fear, or feeling stuck—and to build the emotional awareness needed for meaningful change.
You don’t have to move through life transitions alone or quietly. Therapy is most effective when it feels collaborative, grounded, and authentic. I work alongside my clients to gently unpack unhelpful patterns—whether they show up as anxiety, fear, or feeling stuck—and to build the emotional awareness needed for meaningful change.
Therapy is hard work and I believe a partnership is required for positive outcomes to be achieved. You see, as engaged and motivated as I may be to help you succeed, your buy-in is absolutely necessary in order for change to occur. As a therapist at Potter Counseling, I'm looking for clients who are seeking a different tomorrow and are ready to take steps to make it happen. This means being an active participant in therapy, being willing to face challenging conversations, making changes that may not feel so great in the moment, and doing work outside the session to make changes stick.
Therapy is hard work and I believe a partnership is required for positive outcomes to be achieved. You see, as engaged and motivated as I may be to help you succeed, your buy-in is absolutely necessary in order for change to occur. As a therapist at Potter Counseling, I'm looking for clients who are seeking a different tomorrow and are ready to take steps to make it happen. This means being an active participant in therapy, being willing to face challenging conversations, making changes that may not feel so great in the moment, and doing work outside the session to make changes stick.
Accepting new clients! I specialize in supporting those working toward recovery from trauma, including experiences such as sexual assault, accidents, interpersonal violence, incarceration, traumatic grief, and childhood abuse or neglect. Many of the people I work with are looking to rebuild a sense of safety, feel relief from guilt or shame, and begin seeing themselves with more compassion and confidence. Together, we’ll develop goals that fit your life, your pace, and your needs. I strive to build trusting relationships with my clients where we create change, celebrate accomplishments, and even laugh together where appropriate.
Accepting new clients! I specialize in supporting those working toward recovery from trauma, including experiences such as sexual assault, accidents, interpersonal violence, incarceration, traumatic grief, and childhood abuse or neglect. Many of the people I work with are looking to rebuild a sense of safety, feel relief from guilt or shame, and begin seeing themselves with more compassion and confidence. Together, we’ll develop goals that fit your life, your pace, and your needs. I strive to build trusting relationships with my clients where we create change, celebrate accomplishments, and even laugh together where appropriate.
Sometimes life can be overwhelming. Perhaps you're tired of anxiety keeping you up at night or feel like depression is hindering you from living your life to your full potential. I enjoy working with adults who may feel trapped in a cycle of anxiety/depression or just feeling stuck in the monotony of every day life. Some issues I commonly work with clients on are: pregnancy/new parenting stress, career challenges, academic stress, alcohol use, relationship challenges and life transitions.
Sometimes life can be overwhelming. Perhaps you're tired of anxiety keeping you up at night or feel like depression is hindering you from living your life to your full potential. I enjoy working with adults who may feel trapped in a cycle of anxiety/depression or just feeling stuck in the monotony of every day life. Some issues I commonly work with clients on are: pregnancy/new parenting stress, career challenges, academic stress, alcohol use, relationship challenges and life transitions.
If you’ve been carrying the weight of a difficult past—struggling with family issues, trauma, or feeling stuck—you’re not alone. Whether it’s navigating strained relationships, unresolved childhood stress, or feeling like your past is holding you back, therapy can help you move forward. Many of my clients are millennials who’ve experienced tough family dynamics, emotional abuse, or a sense of disconnection from their true selves. You deserve a space where you can heal, grow, and start living more intentionally.
If you’ve been carrying the weight of a difficult past—struggling with family issues, trauma, or feeling stuck—you’re not alone. Whether it’s navigating strained relationships, unresolved childhood stress, or feeling like your past is holding you back, therapy can help you move forward. Many of my clients are millennials who’ve experienced tough family dynamics, emotional abuse, or a sense of disconnection from their true selves. You deserve a space where you can heal, grow, and start living more intentionally.
My ideal clients are adolescents, young adults, and parents navigating depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or major life transitions. Many come to my practice seeking a supportive space to manage overwhelming symptoms, process life adjustments, or heal inner child wounds. I help my clients move forward by offering compassionate, evidence-based individual and group therapy. Utilizing narrative therapy, thought reframing, and a holistic lens, we build tailored treatment plans that foster self-awareness, confidence, and resilience.
My ideal clients are adolescents, young adults, and parents navigating depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or major life transitions. Many come to my practice seeking a supportive space to manage overwhelming symptoms, process life adjustments, or heal inner child wounds. I help my clients move forward by offering compassionate, evidence-based individual and group therapy. Utilizing narrative therapy, thought reframing, and a holistic lens, we build tailored treatment plans that foster self-awareness, confidence, and resilience.
Navigating mental health challenges can feel heavy, particularly when facing complex issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, reproductive mental health, sexual assault, trauma, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and mood disorders. If you are seeking therapy, it's crucial to find a practitioner who understands the multifaceted nature of these concerns and provides a compassionate, tailored approach. My approach combines evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, CPT, and EMDR. With experience in addressing a broad spectrum of issues, I am equipped to offer specialized support that meets your unique needs with both sensitivity and insight.
Navigating mental health challenges can feel heavy, particularly when facing complex issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, reproductive mental health, sexual assault, trauma, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and mood disorders. If you are seeking therapy, it's crucial to find a practitioner who understands the multifaceted nature of these concerns and provides a compassionate, tailored approach. My approach combines evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, CPT, and EMDR. With experience in addressing a broad spectrum of issues, I am equipped to offer specialized support that meets your unique needs with both sensitivity and insight.
Are you struggling to find your place in the world? Do you feel self-doubt, hopeless, and on-edge? That anxious voice inside your head may be telling you that everyone else has it "figured out". You may feel like you're not good enough but want to achieve more in life. I work with young adults and college students navigating an array of concerns including life transitions, anxiety, relationship stress, and low self-esteem. I have found especially meaningful work in helping people heal from childhood trauma and sexual abuse. We can work together to help you be more confident and in control so that you can live the life you want.
Are you struggling to find your place in the world? Do you feel self-doubt, hopeless, and on-edge? That anxious voice inside your head may be telling you that everyone else has it "figured out". You may feel like you're not good enough but want to achieve more in life. I work with young adults and college students navigating an array of concerns including life transitions, anxiety, relationship stress, and low self-esteem. I have found especially meaningful work in helping people heal from childhood trauma and sexual abuse. We can work together to help you be more confident and in control so that you can live the life you want.
It gets much better from here. No matter what you're going through, our expert providers are here to help with online mental health care tailored to you. Brightside Health offers personalized psychiatry, proven therapy, or both to help you feel better. Get started right from home, with appointments in as little as 2 days.
It gets much better from here. No matter what you're going through, our expert providers are here to help with online mental health care tailored to you. Brightside Health offers personalized psychiatry, proven therapy, or both to help you feel better. Get started right from home, with appointments in as little as 2 days.
Michael Gisser
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT-S
4 Endorsed
Raleigh, NC 27609
Waitlist for new clients
I am a former US Army chaplain and ordained rabbi trained in Marriage and Family Therapy with additional training in trauma recovery, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD). My experience embodies an experiential integrative approach and I can individualize therapy to meet client goals. I work with individuals, couples, military personnel, veterans, and their families, and the LGBTQIA community. I am knowledgeable of world religions and diverse cultural backgrounds. I am currently accepting new clients in Pittsboro and Cary.
I am a former US Army chaplain and ordained rabbi trained in Marriage and Family Therapy with additional training in trauma recovery, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD). My experience embodies an experiential integrative approach and I can individualize therapy to meet client goals. I work with individuals, couples, military personnel, veterans, and their families, and the LGBTQIA community. I am knowledgeable of world religions and diverse cultural backgrounds. I am currently accepting new clients in Pittsboro and Cary.
My ideal client deals with anxiety, depression, and low-self-esteem. They may also deal with fear of rejection, abandonment, and neglect. They have a difficult time being assertive, speaking up for themselves, asking for what they need, people pleasing, seeking external validation, fear of disappointing anyone, and perfectionism. They desire to prioritize themselves first, improve on communication, affirm themselves, establish healthy boundaries, and increase their self-esteem and confidence. They are wanting to improve their quality of life, so they are no longer taken advantage of and suffering in silence.
My ideal client deals with anxiety, depression, and low-self-esteem. They may also deal with fear of rejection, abandonment, and neglect. They have a difficult time being assertive, speaking up for themselves, asking for what they need, people pleasing, seeking external validation, fear of disappointing anyone, and perfectionism. They desire to prioritize themselves first, improve on communication, affirm themselves, establish healthy boundaries, and increase their self-esteem and confidence. They are wanting to improve their quality of life, so they are no longer taken advantage of and suffering in silence.
The deepest wounds aren't always the easiest to recognize because they were woven into everyday life. They reveal themselves years later; in the relationships you choose, the standards you hold yourself to, and the belief that love is something you have to earn. These patterns often come from trauma, especially early or relational experiences that shaped how you learned to attach, cope, and protect yourself. Trauma may have shaped you, but it doesn’t have to define you. Healing begins by understanding its roots so you can grow beyond its branches.
The deepest wounds aren't always the easiest to recognize because they were woven into everyday life. They reveal themselves years later; in the relationships you choose, the standards you hold yourself to, and the belief that love is something you have to earn. These patterns often come from trauma, especially early or relational experiences that shaped how you learned to attach, cope, and protect yourself. Trauma may have shaped you, but it doesn’t have to define you. Healing begins by understanding its roots so you can grow beyond its branches.
l work with people navigating trauma, PTSD, addiction, or the quiet ache of feeling stuck. They may be in midlife, questioning their worth, value, or purpose. They often appear high-functioning, but beneath the surface lies unaddressed pain—sometimes rooted in childhood, sometimes unnamed. They might be tired of the routine, bored with a life that checks all the boxes but still feels empty. Whether it’s a struggle with substance use or a search for meaning, they’re ready to stop surviving and start healing. They want something more: to become a more grounded, authentic version of themselves—rooted in peace, not performance.
l work with people navigating trauma, PTSD, addiction, or the quiet ache of feeling stuck. They may be in midlife, questioning their worth, value, or purpose. They often appear high-functioning, but beneath the surface lies unaddressed pain—sometimes rooted in childhood, sometimes unnamed. They might be tired of the routine, bored with a life that checks all the boxes but still feels empty. Whether it’s a struggle with substance use or a search for meaning, they’re ready to stop surviving and start healing. They want something more: to become a more grounded, authentic version of themselves—rooted in peace, not performance.
Trauma Therapy for PTSD, Childhood & Developmental Trauma.
I specialize in PTSD and complex trauma therapy, including childhood and developmental trauma. I work with adults and children experiencing trauma-related symptoms such as hypervigilance, emotional numbness, shame, dissociation, and chronic overwhelm. Trauma from abuse, neglect, chronic stress, or repeated relational wounds can keep the nervous system stuck in survival mode, even when life looks “fine” on the outside. Trauma therapy can help restore safety, regulation, and a stronger sense of self.
Trauma Therapy for PTSD, Childhood & Developmental Trauma.
I specialize in PTSD and complex trauma therapy, including childhood and developmental trauma. I work with adults and children experiencing trauma-related symptoms such as hypervigilance, emotional numbness, shame, dissociation, and chronic overwhelm. Trauma from abuse, neglect, chronic stress, or repeated relational wounds can keep the nervous system stuck in survival mode, even when life looks “fine” on the outside. Trauma therapy can help restore safety, regulation, and a stronger sense of self.
Congratulations! You have chosen to seek help. It is important to find a therapist you can build a relationship with. I am described as an interactive, insightful, intuitive, genuine, non-judgemental therapist. My expertise comes from a unique balance of professional and personal training and experience. I have a passion for what I do and love coming to work everyday. I would love to join you in getting where you want to be. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist with a family systems perspective. I add compassion-focused, culturally sensitive, attachment-based therapy with a solution focus, to fit each person's individuality.
Congratulations! You have chosen to seek help. It is important to find a therapist you can build a relationship with. I am described as an interactive, insightful, intuitive, genuine, non-judgemental therapist. My expertise comes from a unique balance of professional and personal training and experience. I have a passion for what I do and love coming to work everyday. I would love to join you in getting where you want to be. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist with a family systems perspective. I add compassion-focused, culturally sensitive, attachment-based therapy with a solution focus, to fit each person's individuality.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes that meaningful change starts with feeling truly seen and understood. I work with teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges and stress. My approach is warm, humorous, collaborative and grounded in evidence-based practices. Together, we will create a space where you can safely explore what's going on beneath the surface, build insight and develop practical tools to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes that meaningful change starts with feeling truly seen and understood. I work with teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges and stress. My approach is warm, humorous, collaborative and grounded in evidence-based practices. Together, we will create a space where you can safely explore what's going on beneath the surface, build insight and develop practical tools to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Are you struggling with making a desired change in your life? Look no further! You've come to the right place… therapy! Therapy can be a wonderful yet uncomfortable experience, especially starting out. I am here to help ease that discomfort and help you meet your goals and needs. I sprinkle in humor to help with the intensity therapy can bring. I have experience with various populations including families, military, veterans, EMS, couples, and individuals with various mental health experiences. I look forward to the opportunity to help you on your therapy journey. I’ll leave the light on for you.
Are you struggling with making a desired change in your life? Look no further! You've come to the right place… therapy! Therapy can be a wonderful yet uncomfortable experience, especially starting out. I am here to help ease that discomfort and help you meet your goals and needs. I sprinkle in humor to help with the intensity therapy can bring. I have experience with various populations including families, military, veterans, EMS, couples, and individuals with various mental health experiences. I look forward to the opportunity to help you on your therapy journey. I’ll leave the light on for you.
In a perfect world, life would feel predictable and supportive. In reality, we are often handed circumstances we did not choose—unexpected challenges, transitions, and experiences that can disrupt our sense of safety and identity. Over time, these moments may leave us feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward. When life unfolds this way, it can be difficult to make sense of what has happened or to feel grounded in who we are becoming. My goal is to create a space where you do not have to minimize or silence the parts of your story that have shaped you.
In a perfect world, life would feel predictable and supportive. In reality, we are often handed circumstances we did not choose—unexpected challenges, transitions, and experiences that can disrupt our sense of safety and identity. Over time, these moments may leave us feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward. When life unfolds this way, it can be difficult to make sense of what has happened or to feel grounded in who we are becoming. My goal is to create a space where you do not have to minimize or silence the parts of your story that have shaped you.
I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 22 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges. I work with adults navigating stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and major life transitions. I understand how personal, emotional, academic, or work-related pressures can disrupt well-being, and I strive to offer a calm, compassionate space where you can feel seen, supported, and encouraged to pursue meaningful healing.
I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 22 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges. I work with adults navigating stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and major life transitions. I understand how personal, emotional, academic, or work-related pressures can disrupt well-being, and I strive to offer a calm, compassionate space where you can feel seen, supported, and encouraged to pursue meaningful healing.
While life's struggles are inevitable, you don't have to walk the journey alone. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, self-worth, and co-dependency, and I have a particular passion for joining with clients through the difficulties of addiction. I trust that a successful relationship between counselor and client is based on mutual trust and respect. I believe that optimal wellness is achieved by caring for the whole person; mental, emotional and physical. I collaborate with other mental health and medical professionals to help meet the needs of my clients.
While life's struggles are inevitable, you don't have to walk the journey alone. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, self-worth, and co-dependency, and I have a particular passion for joining with clients through the difficulties of addiction. I trust that a successful relationship between counselor and client is based on mutual trust and respect. I believe that optimal wellness is achieved by caring for the whole person; mental, emotional and physical. I collaborate with other mental health and medical professionals to help meet the needs of my clients.
See more therapy options for Raleigh
Nearby Cognitive Processing (CPT) Therapists Searches for Raleigh
- Apex
- Cary
- Clayton
- Durham
- Fuquay Varina
- Garner
- Holly Springs
- Knightdale
- Morrisville
- Research Triangle
- Wake Forest
- Wendell
Cognitive Processing (CPT) Therapists
How does cognitive processing therapy work?
A CPT therapist helps a client evaluate their thoughts about the trauma they experienced, focusing on maladaptive or self-blaming thoughts that can exacerbate symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, or depression. The therapist will work with a client to help them learn to challenge such thoughts and consider different perspectives. The therapist is also likely to ask a client to work on these techniques at home between meetings, such as writing an account of their trauma that can be read aloud during a future session.
What is cognitive processing therapy for PTSD?
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy primarily used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to treat individuals who experienced abuse or violence, who survived natural disasters, who were first responders to such incidents, or who otherwise experienced trauma.
How long does cognitive processing therapy last?
CPT is a short-term therapy. Whether conducted one-on-one or in a group, a complete set of CPT sessions typically includes 12 weekly sessions, along with tasks for clients to complete at home, although this can vary depending on a client’s needs or a therapist’s particular treatment plan. Sessions typically last 60 or 90 minutes.
How effective is cognitive processing therapy?
A large body of research supports the use of CPT to treat people experiencing PTSD, finding it to be effective among different age groups, either in one-on-one therapy sessions or in a group therapy environment. Research suggests that although the initial sessions may be difficult, clients tend to begin to feel positive progress after the first few sessions, and that the benefits tend to last well after the therapy ends.