Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps teens learn how to handle intense emotions and improve their relationships. It’s a type of behavior-focused therapy that teaches ways to manage strong feelings and challenging situations.

DBT focuses on helping someone accept their experiences and the need for change. As with other kinds of therapy, it’s different for everyone.

Generally, dialectical behavior therapy focuses on four key things:

• Being mindful: This means noticing and accepting all experiences, including thoughts and feelings.
• Managing emotions: DBT teaches someone how to understand and respond to difficult emotions.
• Tolerating distress: DBT can help teens cope with highly intense experiences that can be normal parts of life.
• Getting along with others: DBT also teaches skills for better communication and relationships. By learning how to ask for what they want in ways that are assertive but not aggressive, a person can better handle conflicts and build strong connections with others.

While everyone has their own, unique experiences and outcomes are not guaranteed, therapy can be helpful for those looking to improve their mental health. This includes teens and young adults facing challenges like anxiety, depression, or emotional regulation. It provides a safe space to explore thoughts and feelings. 

A typical session takes place by video or phone and lasts for a “therapy hour,” 50-55 minutes. We will talk through your recent experiences and emotions, paying special attention to situations that felt intense or challenging.

Using DBT and other therapuetic approaches, we’ll look at patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and work together to understand what led up to those moments. From there, we’ll identify specific skills—like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, or interpersonal effectiveness—that can help you respond more effectively. 

We will focus on building practical coping skills you can use in your daily life, by choosing a few clear “target behaviors” to focus on between sessions, so you can practice these skills in real-life situations and move closer to your goals.

Each session is personalized to fit your needs, helping you feel supported while building tools that truly work for you. –

Yes—therapy is confidential, and that confidentiality is an important part of creating a safe, trusting space for you to share openly.

In the United States, your privacy is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law requires therapists and healthcare providers to keep your personal information and what you discuss in sessions private and secure.

There are a few specific situations where a therapist may be required to break confidentiality, such as:

• If there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else

• If there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or dependent adult

• If records are required by a court order

Outside of these limited exceptions, what you share in therapy stays between you and your therapist. If you ever have questions about confidentiality, your therapist should be open and willing to explain how your information is protected.

Scheduling a session is easy! Click on any of the “schedule consultation” buttons and you will be directly routed to Headway, a HIPPA compliant, online healthcare system, where you can schedule a free consulation with me. If you have questions, feel free to message me through Headway.

It’s completely natural to feel nervous about starting therapy. Opening up to someone new and hoping for change can feel like a big step. Many people share this experience—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, and I’ve supported many clients as they have begun their therapeutic journey, made meaningful progress, and moved toward having more fulfilling lives.

Every therapeutic journey is unique, so there’s no set timeline for how long you “should” be in therapy. Many people choose to wrap up when they’re feeling meaningful relief and more confident in handling challenges on their own.

You’re always in control of the process—you’re never obligated to stay, and you can decide what feels right for you at any time.

As a verified Clinical Supervisor with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and a Certified Clinical Supervisor through CAMFT, I provide the clinical supervision required for ASWs, AMFTs, and APCCs working toward licensure in California. My approach is supportive, collaborative, and focused on your growth and confidence as a clinician.

The rate for clinical supervision is $200 per hour.

Because I offer a limited number of appointments, I require at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations. This allows me to offer that time to another client who may be waiting for care.

To help you stay on track, appointment reminders are provided through Headway. Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice—or missed without notice—are charged at the full session fee of $200. Please note that insurance providers, including Aetna and Quest Behavioral Health, typically do not cover missed or late-canceled sessions.