Hello. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor located in Texas. I hold a Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling from UT San Antonio, and an Executive Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington. I bring a professional background of working in the non-profit sector, and teaching both domestically and while living abroad for 13 years. My background supports and helps guide my work with adults who have experienced difficult circumstances or events which often bring to the forefront previously unresolved wounds. I am committed to helping clients identify and reconnect with strengths they may not realize they have, or felt detached from - and to work together to address blocks which may be preventing progress. I utilize a trauma informed approach to therapy and emphasize your inner resources to heal and grow, returning to a life in alignment with your values, changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to distress, and when appropriate, focus on immediate steps towards overcoming challenges.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we will explore your well-being by examining biological, psychological, and social factors. We will cover pertinent medical history, mental health issues, and social influences like relationships and stressors. This conversation will help us to create a personalized treatment plan by understanding how factors in various domains interact in your life - and how best to address your goals.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I take a collaborative approach, working alongside clients to empower you in your healing while respecting your autonomy and strengths. I value cultural sensitivity, honoring each client’s unique background and experiences to provide personalized care. My adaptability ensures that I adjust to your evolving goals, and I emphasize a strength-based focus, helping you to recognize and build upon your own resilience and capacity for growth.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am privileged to often work with adults who, despite feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed by the weight of their experiences, show a deep desire to heal and move forward. You may struggle with fear, anxiety, or self-doubt, but you demonstrate courage by opening up, engaging in the therapeutic process, and trying to find meaning and path forward from your experiences. You are willing to explore painful emotions, even when it’s uncomfortable, and take steps—no matter how small—toward feeling better. Understand that healing takes time. Tap into resilience and hope even in moments of uncertainty.
About Ivan Novak
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the focus is on accepting difficult emotions rather than trying to control or avoid them. For clients dealing with anxiety or depression, this means learning to acknowledge emotions without letting them take over. A key part of ACT is cognitive defusion, which helps you step back from negative thoughts and see them as just thoughts, not truths that define you. We also work on mindfulness, which helps you stay grounded in the present moment, reducing the tendency to dwell on the past or worry about the future. At the core of ACT is values-based living, where we clarify what truly matters to you and use that as a guide to shape your life, even while managing difficult emotions. Lastly, ACT emphasizes committed action—taking meaningful steps toward your goals, despite the presence of anxiety or depression, to build a fulfilling and purposeful life. The aim is to help you break free from the cycle of avoidance and struggle, and develop the resilience to face life’s challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
While Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on accepting difficult emotions and living in alignment with your values, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works by challenging and changing unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to distress. Both approaches are effective, but CBT focuses more on identifying and altering negative thoughts to improve emotional well-being. In CBT, we explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. For anxiety and depression, I help you identify distorted thinking patterns—such as catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking—that fuel your symptoms. Once these patterns are recognized, we work together to reframe them into more balanced, realistic thoughts. This shift can help reduce anxiety and depression over time. CBT also incorporates behavioral strategies like exposure therapy for anxiety or behavioral activation for depression. These methods help you face fears gradually or increase engagement in rewarding activities to combat depressive symptoms. CBT is highly structured and goal-oriented, making it a practical and effective approach for managing anxiety and depression.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Person Centered Therapy focuses on you as the expert of your own experience. This approach is rooted in the belief that you have the inner resources needed to heal and grow, and my role as your therapist is to provide a supportive, non-judgmental space where you can explore your emotions freely. For anxiety and depression, Person-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuine understanding. I will meet you where you are, providing a compassionate environment that allows you to openly express your feelings, fears, and concerns. Through this process, you can gain clarity, self-acceptance, and insight, which leads to healing and personal growth. This approach empowers you to reconnect with your true self, fostering resilience and a greater sense of well-being as you move through anxiety, depression, and other challenges at your own pace.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
In Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), we concentrate on finding practical solutions and setting clear, achievable goals rather than dwelling on the past or problems. This approach is ideal if you're looking for a focused, time-limited strategy to make positive changes quickly. For clients dealing with anxiety or depression, SFBT emphasizes your strengths and past successes. Together, we'll explore what’s already working in your life, no matter how small, and build on those successes to create meaningful change. We'll also focus on identifying specific, concrete goals that align with your vision of a better future. By zeroing in on solutions, this therapy empowers you to take immediate steps toward overcoming challenges, helping you feel more hopeful and in control of your life. In Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), we concentrate on finding practical solutions and setting clear, achievable goals rather than dwelling on the past or problems. This approach is ideal if you're looking for a focused, time-limited strategy to make positive changes quickly. For clients dealing with anxiety or depression, SFBT emphasizes your strengths and past successes. Together, we'll explore what’s already working in your life, no matter how small, and build on those successes to create meaningful change. We'll also focus on identifying specific, concrete goals that align with your vision of a better future. By zeroing in on solutions, this therapy empowers you to take immediate steps toward overcoming challenges, helping you feel more hopeful and in control of your life.