Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists in Oakland, CA

I help clients deal with an array of life problems such as; depression, anxiety, IPV, trauma, assault, chemical dependency, co occurring conditions, maternal and postpartum, infertility, grief, etc. Previous clients have expressed therapy sessions with me have led to; better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and reduction of feelings of stress.

I have extensive training in a variety of evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused, Psychodynamic therapy, attachment-based therapy, and relational therapy. I have had many years of experience working with people struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, domestic violence, mood disorders, ADHD, postpartum depression/anxiety, issues related to infertility, interpersonal relational challenges, panic disorders, immigration challenges, parenting challenges, insomnia, trans-related challenges

Are you experiencing challenges dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship/family issues, and trauma/PTSD? Due to these symptoms, we can be in too much emotional pain and feel too stuck to reframe our perceptions or to find solutions to our problems. Childhood or recent trauma can cause emotional distress that can be difficult to process. I am here to support you in working through unresolved trauma and guide you toward healing. Therefore, you can feel empowered, rejuvenated, and enthusiastic about life again.

Navigating life's challenges is never easy, but reaching out for help is a brave first step to living a more genuine and fulfilling life. I have expertise in working with individuals struggling with childhood trauma and trauma-related symptoms such as grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational conflict. I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in an empathetic way. I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative and judgment-free space where clients can attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.

My goal is to provide you with skills that you can take and maintain even after you complete your therapy journey with me. Some of these skills can include, but are not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy skills, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills, communication, mindfulness, anxiety management, and relaxation skills. I have experience in working with all ages of life. My passion is working with young adults and adults, couples, and families. I specialize in the treatment of depression (including prenatal and postpartum), anxiety, trauma, addictions, interpersonal conflict, and life transitions.

Therapy is the process of coming to a deeper understanding of ourselves and how we approach the world while contained in the therapeutic relationship. I aim to create a safe, compassionate, and collaborative space to explore why patterns of thinking and interacting have become painful. In my experience, this process leads to improved relationships and communication, greater confidence and enjoyment in life, relief from feeling stuck, strengthened coping skills to manage life stressors, and progress towards one's inherent potential to thrive.

Sometimes, things happen in life that cause us significant pain, whether this stems from early life experiences, life transitions, mental illness, interpersonal difficulties or unexpected crisis. Navigating through these experiences in a therapeutic setting can make the difference between tolerating the pain (or even resorting to methods of easing the pain that create more problems) and coming through it more resilient with the ability to live a life with meaning.

I work with individuals, but my focus is African American men in their first five years of marriage. My goal is to help you become more authentic in your relationships, find and live your values, and bring more peace and growth into your life. I also work with men who want to grow in terms of how they show up in their relationships. I am trained in DBT , Gottman, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness based approaches.

I offer validating, compassionate, skilled psychotherapy and coaching in DBT , ACT and other evidence-based treatments. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, emotion dysregulation or a sense of 'disconnection' from your values and purpose, the skills-based therapy of DBT can be life-changing. I am passionate about DBT and mindfulness - and how our practice of these powerful skills can help us build a life worth living. Empathy, humor and cultural humility are cornerstones of my work, along with a deeply collaborative approach with my clients. See https://jenafir-house.clientsecure.me for more information.

With 20 years of experience, I work with individual adults, adolescents and couples from a trauma-informed model that integrates DBT , psychodynamic, family systems and Mindful Self-Compassion perspectives. Through therapy I can help you to achieve your goals, develop an increased understanding of yourself and build new ways of coping with life’s challenges. As a Certified Mediator with a background in divorce mediation I can lend informed support to those struggling with divorce-related challenges. Furthermore as a transracially adoptive mom of two I hold a strong interest in helping others navigate the world of parenting.

As an Integrative Psychotherapist, I base my approach from the relational work of Psychodynamic Therapy and integrate forms of Attachment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT , Mindfulness Practices, Parts Work, Addiction and Trauma work - all based in Social Justice. I fully believe that every individual has the power and strength they need to actualize the changes they want, and can shift the old and new narratives of established stories and patterns of their daily lives.

One of the universal traits of humanity is the desire to seek connection with others and be understood. I seek to reach a deep understanding both of my clients and to help them understand themselves, their relationships and their lives better. I believe that with this understanding can come richer relationships and a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Although we often have loved ones with whom we share our life experiences, having someone to talk to outside this circle can allow a greater depth of understanding of one's past, present and internal world.

Are you feeling stuck in life? Maybe you’re struggling with relationship challenges, past traumas or work stress? Is shame, anxiety, anger or numbness affecting your ability to be happy? Maybe you’re wondering how your substance use, or that of a loved one, is related to any of this? I’d like to offer you a non-judgmental space to explore behaviors, beliefs and feelings that keep you from living the life you want to live. You are not broken and I would be honored to help you reconnect to the innate wisdom and power of your authentic self.

I view therapy as a unique relationship between two people - the therapist and the client. Therapy is a process that fosters acceptance and change of the challenges people face and helps provide clarity. My goal is to help create a safe place to explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences that cause you pain, which may lead to difficulties in relationships, work, and/or daily life. Through this process we will create goals and a plan to reach your specific goals. My approach is genuine, compassionate, and non-judgmental. As a therapist, I bring over 20 years of experience working with individuals from many walks of life.

Reaching out for support may feel difficult but you are totally worth it. I can provide you with a place where you will be listened to with compassion and understanding. Through our work together I will bring gentle curiosity to the areas of your life you want to explore. This can look like nurturing any tender wounds, fostering belonging for abandoned parts of yourself, embracing acceptance for things you can't change, and building skills needed for constructing the life and relationships you desire.

Dear potential Client, Congratulations on making it this far! Choosing therapy is difficult and even more is taking steps to actually meet with a therapist. I have made this journey myself and found lots of reasons to procrastinate making "the call". If you choose to move forward and contact me, I am happy to consult with you about what you're looking for and how I can support you.

I have over 10 years of experience working with clients from various backgrounds, including children, teens, adults, the elderly, parents, couples, families, and LGBTQIA+ clients. I genuinely care for my clients and show them empathy, acceptance and validation with a sense of humor. I am patient and will also challenge my clients to step outside of their comfort zones with the goals of incremental progress and improved quality of life. I focus on the entire person: physical, mental, social and spiritual.

I believe the purpose of therapy is to create a safe and validating environment where people can focus on creating a "life worth living". I help facilitate this journey by focusing on both acceptance and change in a warm, interactive and thoughtful fashion. If you are someone who is struggling to manage your emotions and behaviors because of anxiety, depression, or trauma we can work together to define the life you want and overcome the obstacles to it.

I believe that small changes in the way we think and interact can have huge impacts on our life, our relationships, and in finding meaning and fulfillment. Mental health is not rocket science, it's tools. I use the tools myself and I am skilled at helping clients decide what changes are most important to them and how to make those changes. I am a real person and I like to help other real people grow and find lives of meaning.