Do you provide adherent/evidenced-based DBT treatment?

Yes. Our staff have all been intensively trained in DBT by Behavior Tech, The Linehan Institute. We are on a weekly consultation team, provide phone coaching and teach weekly skills classes. We also receive regular consultation from DBT experts outside of the center.

Do you take insurance or MediCal?

No, we are a private pay practice. If you have a PPO, meaning your insurance may pay out of network, it is possible you can get partial reimbursement, you can check with your insurance company to inquire. We can provide you with a Superbill if needed.

What are your fees for individual therapy?

Initial intake session: $200

DBT therapy sessions: $250-$350

Non-DBT therapy: please inquire about rates

What is the fee for DBT Skills classes?

$800 for an 8-week module.

What is the first step?

The first step is to read through our website to see if we may be a good fit for you, read about DBT and non-DBT therapies, fees for both individual therapy, classes and learn more about our staff. If you feel we are a potential fit, then visit our Contact Page to send an email, or call our intake coordinator at 510.239.5698 to schedule an intake appointment.

What is an intake?

The intake is a 50-minute appointment in which you and the intake clinician will review your current challenges and treatment history to determine whether DBT is indicated. The intake appointment is not a full diagnostic assessment, but an opportunity to assess your readiness for skills classes and/or individual therapy, discuss the structure of treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will make personalized treatment recommendations after the intake appointment. While this does not happen often, at times we do refer people out if it becomes clear that what we have to offer will not meet your needs The intake fee is $200.

Do you only offer DBT therapy?

No.  Our therapists have training in other kinds of therapy and many people come to the center who are not seeking DBT. Please visit Beyond DBT

Am I in DBT if I am just taking skills class?

No. DBT is an intensive treatment that includes both individual therapy (with a therapist who is intensively trained in DBT, in weekly ongoing DBT consultation team, phone coaching, etc.), and participation in weekly skills class. If you are in therapy with a therapist who is not on a DBT consult team, it just means that you are learning the skills but are not in DBT therapy.

Are DBT skills groups like group therapy?

No. DBT skills classes are psychologically-based academic courses wherein you will learn skills that will help you understand and regulate your emotions, as well as the way in which you relate to others. Our classes are one and a half hours long, once weekly, and follow a structure of homework check-in, mindfulness exercise and teaching of new skills.

How long, and how often are the DBT skills classes? What is a module? What are the fees for DBT classes?

Our classes are held once weekly, typically 1 hour, or 1 hour and half. Our classes run by a module schedule, a module is typically 8 weeks long. All of our group members are required to be in therapy, either here or elsewhere. We have many people who take the classes who are not in need of full DBT treatment, but want to learn the skills to manage emotions better. Payment in full is required prior to beginning of the module and there is no refund for missed classes. To complete all of the modules (Mindfulness/ Distress Tolerance/ Emotion Regulation/ Interpersonal Effectiveness) would be approximately a 6 month commitment, though we require a commitment to only one module (8 wks) at a time. DBT Skills class schedule and cost: $800/ 8 week module  See Skills Classes

Do I have to see a DBT therapist while in DBT skills classes at your center?

This completely depends on what your symptoms and history are. You and your intake therapist will discuss this at length during intake appointment. If you are in current crisis (for example) or at risk in some way, then you may need to see an individual DBT therapist either here, or someone outside of here part of an adherent program. Though many people who come here for therapy are not in this high risk category and can choose to work with someone here, or an outside therapist. Our therapists have other specialties than DBT. See Beyond DBT

I've done some DBT but it's been a while. Is there a benefit to taking classes again, or would I be eligible for the Advanced Group? 

In order to join our Advanced DBT group, you must have completed a full DBT program (24 weeks minimum) that covered all the DBT skills across the four modules. We ask that you have a working knowledge of DBT, and can illustrate use of the skills. If you have not fully completed a DBT program, we invite you to  join one of our modules to complete your DBT studies. When you have completed all of the modules, you may consider joining our Advanced Group.

Do you offer treatment to adolescents/ children?

No we do not.

What are the CPT codes? I need this to see if my insurance will reimburse me.

90834- individual therapy
90853- group therapy

Do you take MediCal?

No.

What are your privacy practices?

Please see our Notice of Privacy Practices for more information.