Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists in Oakland, CA

My greatest reward as a therapist is seeing children, adolescents, families and individuals work through the areas of their lives that prevent them from walking in their fullest potential and overcoming obstacles to get to know themselves on a deeper level. Therapy is a personal journey that is empowering and healing. I work to structure sessions that are warm, compassionate and nonjudgmental. I incorporate clients in the process when developing goals based on their current struggles.
My greatest reward as a therapist is seeing children, adolescents, families and individuals work through the areas of their lives that prevent them from walking in their fullest potential and overcoming obstacles to get to know themselves on a deeper level. Therapy is a personal journey that is empowering and healing. I work to structure sessions that are warm, compassionate and nonjudgmental. I incorporate clients in the process when developing goals based on their current struggles.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Addictions Counselor Level II (CADC-II). I have experience assisting clients with issues such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, anger management, addictions, adjustment and mood disorders, PTSD, relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and trauma.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Addictions Counselor Level II (CADC-II). I have experience assisting clients with issues such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, anger management, addictions, adjustment and mood disorders, PTSD, relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and trauma.

My passion is helping anyone toward getting ‘unstuck’ and reconnecting with their lives and loved ones. I provide therapy for children, teens and adults navigating anxiety, OCD, selective mutism, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, and peer issues, as well as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses. I especially love working with teens and their families as they adapt to change; whether it’s better understanding and celebrating a teen’s gender identity, knowing how to discuss family separation, or finding healthy ways to cope with an unexpected loss.
My passion is helping anyone toward getting ‘unstuck’ and reconnecting with their lives and loved ones. I provide therapy for children, teens and adults navigating anxiety, OCD, selective mutism, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, and peer issues, as well as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses. I especially love working with teens and their families as they adapt to change; whether it’s better understanding and celebrating a teen’s gender identity, knowing how to discuss family separation, or finding healthy ways to cope with an unexpected loss.

I specialize in working with people experiencing career-related anxiety and those who find it challenging to establish boundaries in familial and romantic relationships. As an immigrant who faced the hurdles of cultural adaptation, I enjoy working with those navigating the complexities of bi-cultural identities, relationship dynamics, and the immigrant experience.
I specialize in working with people experiencing career-related anxiety and those who find it challenging to establish boundaries in familial and romantic relationships. As an immigrant who faced the hurdles of cultural adaptation, I enjoy working with those navigating the complexities of bi-cultural identities, relationship dynamics, and the immigrant experience.

Bianca Hovda
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, SEP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94610
I am a dedicated and passionate healer, Psychotherapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. I believe that we are all unique in our journeys and yet deeply connected in our collective human experience. I provide a safe, warm, compassionate space in which to share your unique story, deepen your relationship to self, others, and your community, identify and break down internal/external barriers and challenges, and have more meaningful and joyful experiences in your life.
I am a dedicated and passionate healer, Psychotherapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. I believe that we are all unique in our journeys and yet deeply connected in our collective human experience. I provide a safe, warm, compassionate space in which to share your unique story, deepen your relationship to self, others, and your community, identify and break down internal/external barriers and challenges, and have more meaningful and joyful experiences in your life.

I offer innovative solutions for complex challenges. Maybe people are using labels that seem chronic and don’t accurately reflect either what you are experiencing or what you’ve been through! Maybe you’ve had experiences in treatment that were not ideal or where you did not feel culturally respected or safe. When there is no simple answer for anxiety, depression, emotional pain, social exclusion, abuse or addictive behavior, maybe it is possible we can find one. I pay attention to things like complex or generational trauma and am prepared to help with things like dissociation, psychosis or hearing voices if that is needed.
I offer innovative solutions for complex challenges. Maybe people are using labels that seem chronic and don’t accurately reflect either what you are experiencing or what you’ve been through! Maybe you’ve had experiences in treatment that were not ideal or where you did not feel culturally respected or safe. When there is no simple answer for anxiety, depression, emotional pain, social exclusion, abuse or addictive behavior, maybe it is possible we can find one. I pay attention to things like complex or generational trauma and am prepared to help with things like dissociation, psychosis or hearing voices if that is needed.

I work with clients to help them heal from anxiety, depression, and trauma. Therapy provides an opportunity to be completely yourself, without regard to internal or external pressures and demands. When you feel safe, you're more free to talk about change. I'll help you build upon your strengths and support you in becoming more aware of patterns that hold you back from achieving your goals. Together, we take a close look at those patterns and work towards healthier options. I believe therapy is an important investment in health and will help you create the foundation for a satisfied life.
I work with clients to help them heal from anxiety, depression, and trauma. Therapy provides an opportunity to be completely yourself, without regard to internal or external pressures and demands. When you feel safe, you're more free to talk about change. I'll help you build upon your strengths and support you in becoming more aware of patterns that hold you back from achieving your goals. Together, we take a close look at those patterns and work towards healthier options. I believe therapy is an important investment in health and will help you create the foundation for a satisfied life.

Danielle Dekker
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94611
It’s not always easy to ask for help. It often takes courage to recognize that something is off and that your feelings and behaviors have overwhelmed your resources to cope. You may have already put considerable time and energy into your wellness and yet are baffled by why it is that you still are experiencing things like negative beliefs about yourself, overwhelming emotions, knee-jerk emotional reactions, difficulty having the kind of relationships or work you truly want, or why it is that you engage in self-destructive behavior. I'm here to help you gain freedom from these patterns so that you can live the life you deserve.
It’s not always easy to ask for help. It often takes courage to recognize that something is off and that your feelings and behaviors have overwhelmed your resources to cope. You may have already put considerable time and energy into your wellness and yet are baffled by why it is that you still are experiencing things like negative beliefs about yourself, overwhelming emotions, knee-jerk emotional reactions, difficulty having the kind of relationships or work you truly want, or why it is that you engage in self-destructive behavior. I'm here to help you gain freedom from these patterns so that you can live the life you deserve.

We all sometimes face challenges in life that we just can't resolve on our own. It might be a transition in your life that has brought unexpected trials: adulthood, marriage or divorce. raising a family, children leaving home, caring for your aging parents, the loss of a loved one, or facing your own aging and mortality. It might be a conflict in a relationship. Or it might be more of an internal struggle giving rise to anxiety, depression, or struggles with self-defeating behaviors. A fresh perspective can make all the difference. I work with both couples and individuals, providing expertise gained from 40 years' experience.
We all sometimes face challenges in life that we just can't resolve on our own. It might be a transition in your life that has brought unexpected trials: adulthood, marriage or divorce. raising a family, children leaving home, caring for your aging parents, the loss of a loved one, or facing your own aging and mortality. It might be a conflict in a relationship. Or it might be more of an internal struggle giving rise to anxiety, depression, or struggles with self-defeating behaviors. A fresh perspective can make all the difference. I work with both couples and individuals, providing expertise gained from 40 years' experience.

I believe the key to change lies in cultivating a safe, strong therapeutic relationship. Through a developmental lens, I aim to understand each person’s history and how their unique story informs current challenges. I feel passionate about working with patients from diverse backgrounds and utilize a culturally-informed approach when understanding life experiences and associated thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In conjunction with this psychodynamic, relationally-driven approach, I help patients identify a clear presenting concern, develop goals, and integrate appropriate evidence-based practice tailored to their specific needs.
I believe the key to change lies in cultivating a safe, strong therapeutic relationship. Through a developmental lens, I aim to understand each person’s history and how their unique story informs current challenges. I feel passionate about working with patients from diverse backgrounds and utilize a culturally-informed approach when understanding life experiences and associated thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In conjunction with this psychodynamic, relationally-driven approach, I help patients identify a clear presenting concern, develop goals, and integrate appropriate evidence-based practice tailored to their specific needs.

Seeking support can feel vulnerable – especially when the culture around us glorifies “self-made” success stories and aspires to a seemingly effortless, perfectly curated social media existence. The reality of course is that life is messy, transitions are hard, and that we all benefit from support. We are impacted by world events, our environments, relationships, the histories of our people (our families, ancestors, communities), and our own unique collection of lived experiences. As a therapist I view my role as that of an ally, confidant, collaborator, collector of resources - and very occasionally a guide.
Seeking support can feel vulnerable – especially when the culture around us glorifies “self-made” success stories and aspires to a seemingly effortless, perfectly curated social media existence. The reality of course is that life is messy, transitions are hard, and that we all benefit from support. We are impacted by world events, our environments, relationships, the histories of our people (our families, ancestors, communities), and our own unique collection of lived experiences. As a therapist I view my role as that of an ally, confidant, collaborator, collector of resources - and very occasionally a guide.
Meet Our Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists

Hello, my name is Jonathan Medina. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been working in the field for over 5 years. When I'm not providing therapy, I am enjoying a nice day on the BBQ or spending my time at one of my children' sporting events. I like to set clear goals for myself and my clients and treat every session as an opportunity to make positive growth. I approach therapy with a variety of approaches and tools to individualize our work together to meet your needs in the best way possible.
Hello, my name is Jonathan Medina. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been working in the field for over 5 years. When I'm not providing therapy, I am enjoying a nice day on the BBQ or spending my time at one of my children' sporting events. I like to set clear goals for myself and my clients and treat every session as an opportunity to make positive growth. I approach therapy with a variety of approaches and tools to individualize our work together to meet your needs in the best way possible.

I have been a therapist for over 25 years. I work with individual, however, I specialize with couples and families. Issues are a part of life, however, they don’t have to run our life. Being proactive rather than reactive is an important aspect in empowering ourselves to look at things that feel so scary. Our fears can magnify the reality of a situation to where we feel like we are about to climb Mt. Everest rather than going up a hill.
I have been a therapist for over 25 years. I work with individual, however, I specialize with couples and families. Issues are a part of life, however, they don’t have to run our life. Being proactive rather than reactive is an important aspect in empowering ourselves to look at things that feel so scary. Our fears can magnify the reality of a situation to where we feel like we are about to climb Mt. Everest rather than going up a hill.

I offer holistic integrative psychotherapy for adults and couples, helping bring integration and wholeness to all major dimensions of our humanness: mind, heart, body and soul. My style is warm and unconditionally accepting, open-minded and open-hearted. I am always honored to be of help supporting each person in her or his unique journey towards happiness and life satisfaction. I have been fortunate to receive the 'Best of Palo Alto' Psychotherapist award for 2014 and see clients in my Rockridge-Oakland and Palo Alto offices. My approach is both pragmatic, offering near term relief, and deeper change, growth and transformation.
I offer holistic integrative psychotherapy for adults and couples, helping bring integration and wholeness to all major dimensions of our humanness: mind, heart, body and soul. My style is warm and unconditionally accepting, open-minded and open-hearted. I am always honored to be of help supporting each person in her or his unique journey towards happiness and life satisfaction. I have been fortunate to receive the 'Best of Palo Alto' Psychotherapist award for 2014 and see clients in my Rockridge-Oakland and Palo Alto offices. My approach is both pragmatic, offering near term relief, and deeper change, growth and transformation.

Hi there! I'm a licensed psychotherapist located in the Temescal district of Oakland providing in-person therapy, as well as virtual counseling. If you need help with navigating stress, dating, work problems, relationships, grief and loss, family issues, parenthood, or life transitions then I may be a good fit for you. Through our work together, I can help you build skills to more effectively deal with conflict, anxiety, low confidence, and/or depression. My approach is supportive, dynamic, interactive, and validating. Let's get your life moving forward in the direction of your values.
Hi there! I'm a licensed psychotherapist located in the Temescal district of Oakland providing in-person therapy, as well as virtual counseling. If you need help with navigating stress, dating, work problems, relationships, grief and loss, family issues, parenthood, or life transitions then I may be a good fit for you. Through our work together, I can help you build skills to more effectively deal with conflict, anxiety, low confidence, and/or depression. My approach is supportive, dynamic, interactive, and validating. Let's get your life moving forward in the direction of your values.

Change Talk with Angelyne Arellano, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Online Only
Are you feeling sad, anxious, or lonely and you’re too ashamed or embarrassed to tell anyone about it? Do you pretend everything is alright as to not draw negative attention or cause problems in your relationships, yet inside you’re feeling despair? Do you feel confused and frustrated during conflicts, and you end up taking care of everyone else’s needs? Are you terrified to make decisions that go against familial or cultural norms? Do negative thoughts take over? Together, you and I will figure out what’s really going on with your discontent so that you don’t have to feel like a fraud or a helpless person. It’s going to be okay.
Are you feeling sad, anxious, or lonely and you’re too ashamed or embarrassed to tell anyone about it? Do you pretend everything is alright as to not draw negative attention or cause problems in your relationships, yet inside you’re feeling despair? Do you feel confused and frustrated during conflicts, and you end up taking care of everyone else’s needs? Are you terrified to make decisions that go against familial or cultural norms? Do negative thoughts take over? Together, you and I will figure out what’s really going on with your discontent so that you don’t have to feel like a fraud or a helpless person. It’s going to be okay.

Hello, this is Dr. Alton Carswell I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has worked with various groups and clients. If you are looking for a therapist that will listen and acknowledge your unique perspective you don't have to look any further. I have 16 years of experience working with singles, couples, military, LGBTQ, people of color, and undocumented immigrants from various countries. In addition to my hours spent working with varying communities, I have been highly involved as an alumnus of Antioch University in Los Angeles and as a recent doctoral graduate in media psychology at Fielding Graduate University.
Hello, this is Dr. Alton Carswell I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has worked with various groups and clients. If you are looking for a therapist that will listen and acknowledge your unique perspective you don't have to look any further. I have 16 years of experience working with singles, couples, military, LGBTQ, people of color, and undocumented immigrants from various countries. In addition to my hours spent working with varying communities, I have been highly involved as an alumnus of Antioch University in Los Angeles and as a recent doctoral graduate in media psychology at Fielding Graduate University.

We all go through emotional storms where we feel emotionally and physically stuck; we worry too much and lose control of ourselves. Do you find yourself thrown off balance by your childhood trauma? Childhood traumatic experiences such as abandonment, abuse, and neglect lead to social anxiety. My approach is solution-focused and tailored to your needs and goals. I am committed to providing a profound sense of safety and offering compassionate and actionable guidance to all my clients.
We all go through emotional storms where we feel emotionally and physically stuck; we worry too much and lose control of ourselves. Do you find yourself thrown off balance by your childhood trauma? Childhood traumatic experiences such as abandonment, abuse, and neglect lead to social anxiety. My approach is solution-focused and tailored to your needs and goals. I am committed to providing a profound sense of safety and offering compassionate and actionable guidance to all my clients.

Sometimes, we get stuck in patterns that might have been helpful at some point in our lives but are not so helpful to us now. These patterns show up in the ways we respond in our relationships, in work/school, to challenges, and to ourselves. We’ll approach therapy as collaborators to build up your skills and strengths to get you unstuck. In our work together, we'll gently explore the past, so we can create an action plan for a different future. We'll recontextualize what no longer serves you and make space for your curious, creative self to emerge.
Sometimes, we get stuck in patterns that might have been helpful at some point in our lives but are not so helpful to us now. These patterns show up in the ways we respond in our relationships, in work/school, to challenges, and to ourselves. We’ll approach therapy as collaborators to build up your skills and strengths to get you unstuck. In our work together, we'll gently explore the past, so we can create an action plan for a different future. We'll recontextualize what no longer serves you and make space for your curious, creative self to emerge.

Are you a parent, perfectionist, educator, tech worker, health care provider, creative, anime-loving, or maybe somewhere in between? Maybe you're a musician, novelist, a lawyer, a hooligan-turned-activist, or somewhere outside of these roles? Whatever your career/job/life title may be, I LOVE working with people who are, or aspiring to be: generational cycle breakers, healing attachment wounds, or seeking contentment, peace, and better alignment with one's values!
Are you a parent, perfectionist, educator, tech worker, health care provider, creative, anime-loving, or maybe somewhere in between? Maybe you're a musician, novelist, a lawyer, a hooligan-turned-activist, or somewhere outside of these roles? Whatever your career/job/life title may be, I LOVE working with people who are, or aspiring to be: generational cycle breakers, healing attachment wounds, or seeking contentment, peace, and better alignment with one's values!
See more therapy options for Oakland
Nearby Dialectical (DBT) Therapists Searches for Oakland
- Alameda
- Albany
- Berkeley
- El Cerrito
- Emeryville
- Kensington
- Lafayette
- Moraga
- Orinda
- Piedmont
- San Francisco
- San Leandro