Dr. Claire Novak
"The Architect" — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
About This Mentor
Dr. Novak works in the tradition of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a structured, evidence-based approach developed by Aaron Beck that examines the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sessions are practical and goal-oriented, identifying the thinking patterns that fuel distress and building new, more adaptive ones in their place.
Inspired by the tradition of Aaron Beck.
About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most extensively researched and widely practiced forms of psychotherapy in the world. Developed by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, CBT is based on the cognitive model: the idea that our emotions and behaviors are not caused directly by events, but by how we interpret those events.
Beck observed that people in distress often exhibit characteristic "cognitive distortions," systematic errors in thinking such as all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, mind-reading, and personalization. These distortions maintain negative emotional states and self-defeating behaviors in a feedback loop.
CBT sessions are collaborative and structured. Therapist and client work together to identify specific thought patterns, test them against evidence, and develop more balanced, realistic alternatives. CBT has demonstrated strong efficacy for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, insomnia, and many other conditions. Its practical, skill-building approach makes it one of the most accessible therapeutic frameworks.
Related Mentors
These mentors also explore themes of thought patterns:
- Dr. Frank Colby — Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Begin a Session
Ready to examine the thoughts driving your feelings? Start a conversation with Dr. Novak.