David began his first job as a counselor with the conviction that he will not be liked or valued by either his colleagues or clients. He is convinced he fooled his professors and somehow 'just' managed to get his degree. What type of cognitive distortion does this example portray?

Mislabeling refers to assigning a negative label to oneself or others based on limited evidence. While David feels unworthy, this specific cognitive distortion doesn't capture the essence of his thought process, which is more about making unfounded assumptions rather than simply labeling himself negatively.

Overgeneralization involves drawing broad conclusions based on a single event or limited evidence. Although David feels he is unvalued, his belief is not based on one specific instance but rather a persistent feeling of inadequacy. Thus, this choice misrepresents the nature of his distorted thinking.

Selective abstraction occurs when an individual focuses on a single negative detail while ignoring the broader context. David’s beliefs stem from a more fundamental assumption about his self-worth, rather than fixating on a specific negative experience. Therefore, this option does not accurately describe his cognitive distortion.