Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists in Oakland, CA

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.

I have 15 years of experience in mental health services as a therapist and coach. I specialize in couples counseling and coaching, crisis intervention, depression/anxiety and self-esteem issues. I work within a holistic approach that includes addressing the whole person, body, mind and spirit. My methods of therapy include mindfulness-based therapy, inner child work, meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, with a client-centered, solution-based focus on the diverse needs of the individual.

In my therapeutic practice, I seek to truly understand and validate my clients’ experiences. No two people or life experiences are the same and by continuously remaining curious about my clients’ experiences, it’s amazing how far back we can uncover unhealed trauma, history and patterns. I often approach therapy through a Family Systems perspective, which allows us to dig beyond the self and analyze how our family of origin, relationships and/or intergenerational patterns influence how we have come to understand the world and our behaviors. I also utilize evidenced interventions based on CBT, DBT, and more.

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 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.

"We are now able to see the essential ingredient that makes psychotherapy effective and successful. It is not unconditional positive regard, nor is it magical words, techniques, or postures; it is human involvement and struggle. It is the willingness of the therapist to extend himself or herself for the purpose of nurturing the patient's growth - willingness to go out on a limb, to truly involve oneself at an emotional level in the relationship." M.Scott Peck, MD

Life is hard in our unpredictable, uncertain and rapidly changing world. It makes sense that you may be struggling try to find ground under your feet, a calm amidst the storm of intense emotions and distressing thoughts. Are you looking for practical tools to help steady the mind and effectively respond to life challenges? If you choose to work with me, we will work collaboratively to reduce suffering by meeting difficult experiences with openness and compassion. We will become curious and attentive to the present moment while cultivating a life that is vital and meaningful.

I enjoy working with my clients to help them live more in alignment with how they want to be living. We identity sources of "stuckness", which may include histories of trauma/traumatic invalidation, distress around identities related to race, sexuality, gender, and/or neurodivergence, coping with mood disorders and related behavioral and relationship difficulties, among other significant and impactful life experiences and challenges with past coping strategies. While taking a social justice-oriented and compassionate stance, we work on understanding and processing pain in order to increase one's experience of empowerment and ease.

My name is Annie (pronouns: she/her) and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. My focus areas of practice include anxiety, depression, childhood abuse and traumas, attachment issues, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I have worked many years supporting victims and survivors of violence and in crisis management services. I also currently work with youth involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. I have extensive experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and I am particularly passionate about working with young adults who are transitioning into adulthood.

Seeking help can be scary and exciting, and it takes a lot of bravery and courage to take the initial step. You may be feeling like you are depressed and anxious due to your trauma. I aim to meet you where you are mentally and emotionally and help you grow, learn skills, and adapt to new changes. We can work together to identify your goals and needs and address the emotional and behavioral challenges you experience.

As a Columbia-trained psychologist and trauma specialist, I offer treatment for post-traumatic stress, addiction, grief, anxiety, depression, insecure attachment, and other trauma-related conditions. I utilize a combination of EMDR, internal family systems (IFS), cognitive behavioral (CBT), and dialectical behavioral (DBT) therapies to provide a somatic and source-focused approach to healing. I educate my clients on the universality of traumatic and addictive experiences. I define trauma broadly as any past experience that remains charged and disturbing, and thus has value in alleviating mental health challenges in the present.

If you are ready to learn more about yourself and develop a positive path toward growth seeking assistance can help you refocus on what's most meaningful to you. People come to therapy for many reasons, including needing help in handling stressful life transitions, to reduce psychological distress, increase one's self worth and to develop a better understanding of themselves. During therapy, we will explore unhealthy patterns by looking at the interplay between your thoughts, behaviors and emotions and how they affect your daily experiences. You will learn to develop fulfilling relationships, ways to cope in healthier ways, and ultimately live a fulfilling life.

I work with individuals and couples in both short and long term therapy. I have extensive training in IFS, EMDR, CBT, and Relational Psychodynamic Therapy. My objective is to work with you using the appropriate approach that best fits your goals for therapy. I have a wide range of experience working with the effects of addiction on families, substance abuse, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I also have considerable training in sleep disorders and enjoy working with clients to adjust their sleep schedules, thereby improving their daily mood and functioning.

Do you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, identity, and difficult life transitions? Do you find yourself feeling stuck and can’t seem to focus or move forward? There are many ways to get unstuck, and this is the work I love to do to help you heal, grow and live a more fulfilling life. I use an integrative approach including attachment-based work, DBT, CBT, IFS, and mindfulness, bringing in each as needed. Above all, I strive to hold space and empathy for your life experience.

The toll of trauma, stress, anxiety, & depression builds over time, things that once seemed manageable turn into a life that's not our own, because we're stuck in survival mode. It's exhausting. As a therapist, my goal is to collaborate with you to safely navigate your inner landscape and put pieces together so you can uncover your unique abilities and create a mental health toolkit that will carry you through a lifetime. I am here to support you in working through unresolved feelings and conflicts and guide you toward healing. Therefore, you can feel empowered, rejuvenated, and enthusiastic about life again.

Transforming our inner dialogues and practicing radical self compassion is an important part of healing. Speaking to oneself with gentleness and compassion can be a challenge for many, but we are all worthy of our own kindness. I am here to offer support in your healing journey with yourself. My approach is warm, patient, strengths based, and practical. I offer tools that clients can use to support their personal growth and healing, both during and outside of sessions. This includes learning how to build distress tolerance, learning emotional regulation skills, and practicing strategies for transforming inner thoughts.

I am here to listen and support your process as you define and pursue your own goals in therapy, as you develop your strengths and come into new strengths, as you grow through life changes, challenges, and transitions, and recover from distressful current conditions and past traumas. I currently have availability to meet with couples, families and and teens between 12 and 17 to work on how we relate to ourselves and others, with an emphasis on empathy, connection, communication and healthy relationships.

You made it here, and that is no small thing. Therapy is an opportunity to grow, heal deep-seated wounds, and expand your experience. This is time that you carve out for yourself: to be heard, seen, and understood. It’s a place for you to have someone in your corner who can help sift through the choices, complexities, and challenges that you are facing. I have a particular knack for working with young folks and their families in finding ways of communication that are assertive, clear, and regulated.

I am a change oriented therapist and would like to support you in finding new solutions to old problems. I am part of a group practice that provides individual and group DBT, and I have experience working with addiction/alcoholism, trauma, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and psychosis. My other passion is parenting and pregnancy as I ran a parenting program for 12 years. I understand the stresses facing parents with young children, and will provide a trusting relationship where you can develop skills and experience more joy in parenting.