Aaron Brinen, Psy.D., co-developed recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R) with Aaron T. Beck and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, where Dr. Brinen was completing his postdoctoral fellowship. Dr. Brinen formalized the treatment and adapted it to multiple treatment settings and providers. He authored a book written directly to individuals with psychosis, Living Well with Psychosis, and co-authored the original manual of the treatment. Dr. Brinen is an international trainer providing workshops and consultations across the globe. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Brinen is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he participates in research with colleagues.

Dr. Brinen believes that people have the ability to recover from the distress in their life. He is first and foremost a clinician. He understands that mental disorders are painful and take people away from their desired life. Dr. Brinen’s main focus in treatment is helping his patients move toward the goals in their life in a time-sensitive fashion.

He employs and teaches evidence-based treatments for a range of disorders. Dr. Brinen practices cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He received his doctorate at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s APA-approved Clinical PsyD program. Dr. Brinen completed a practicum at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania, under the direction of Dr. Edna Foa and the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Hembree. Dr. Brinen honed his skills with evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Phobia, Specific Phobias, Generalized Anxiety Disorder). He went on to complete an APA-approved clinical internship at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Coatesville, PA. At his internship, he continued refining his work with PTSD, problems with drugs and alcohol, and broad ranges of comorbid disorders.

Following graduate school, Dr. Brinen was fortunate to complete a fellowship with Aaron T. Beck, M.D.. Dr. Brinen remained on at Aaron Beck Center and worked with Dr. Beck on CT-R for seven years. Dr. Beck originated cognitive therapy and championed its research. Dr. Brinen has worked under Dr. Beck’s guidance disseminating recovery oriented cognitive therapy for those struggling with schizophrenia to community therapists across the country.

Dr. Brinen is a Diplomate and certified trainer for the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. He is a member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He is an active member of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. And a founding member of the North American CBT for psychosis network.