WELCOME TO DBT Center
The bridge back to being human
of silicon valley
We are a therapy practice located in San Jose, California that helps adults, teens, and families move from emotional overwhelm to steadiness and clarity. Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), our team teaches real-life skills for managing emotions and relationships–offering support that’s structured, compassionate, and designed to last.
Comprehensive DBT for Adults
Our adult program offers weekly individual DBT therapy complemented by DBT skills training and skills calls between sessions.
Teen DBT includes individual therapy for the teen client and skills training for the teen and parents as well as telephone coaching for client and parents to help them bring skills to life.
Comprehensive DBT for Adolescents & Families
our approach
What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was created by Marsha Linehan, PhD, to help people with intense and persistent emotional pain. For years, DBT has supported people with traumatic life experiences to develop stability and peace. The structure of DBT empowers people with new tools and approaches to cope with problems, develop emotional freedom, and build lives of meaning and purpose.
OUR process
What to expect
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Step 1: Schedule an initial call
Our intake coordinator will provide you information and answer any questions you may have about our program.
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Step 2: Schedule your session
Our caring therapists can meet with you in person or by Telehealth for your first session to learn more about you and to share ways DBT can support you.
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Step 3: Continue pretreatment sessions
Pretreatment sessions in DBT allow client and therapist to evaluate the fit between client needs and our program and to develop a plan tailored to your therapy goals. Typically there are 3-4 pretreatment sessions prior to a client choosing to continue with comprehensive DBT.
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Step 4: Participate
Clients who decide to commit to our program participate in 6 months of once weekly individual DBT and once weekly skills group. Therapists meet weekly with our team for consultation and clients have access to their therapist for telephone skills coaching between sessions.
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Step 5: Collaborate with your Therapist
Therapy goals are frequently reviewed and your therapist will discuss with you options for continuing care after your initial six months of DBT. Some options are: continuing in comprehensive DBT, participating in DBT and trauma treatment with DBT PE, continuing in DBT individual therapy or completing therapy.
your support system
You won’t have to do this alone.
You’ve likely been carrying a lot on your own. At DBT Center of Silicon Valley, therapy isn’t just about techniques–it’s about the people guiding you through the process. You’ll be supported by a collaborative team of experienced, compassionate clinicians who understand both the science and the human side of therapy. We’ll help you learn practical skills, move at a steady pace, and feel supported, even when you’re unsure or overwhelmed.
WHY WORK WITH US
Our Philosophy
compassionate care
At DBT Center of Silicon Valley, compassion is where everything begins. We meet every person with warmth and respect, creating a space where emotions are understood-not judged.
Evidence-based excellence
Our care is grounded in evidence-based excellence, combining the structure of certified DBT with the heart of genuine human connection. We believe healing happens in the relationship-between therapist and client, within families, and across our team.
Growth & empowerment
At the core of it all is growth–helping individuals and families build the skills, confidence, and balance to enjoy life. We believe clients have the power to sustain their growth and trust in their innate strengths.
OUR
REVIEWS
Read
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So kind-hearted and helpful
DBT Center of Silicon Valley is one of only a handful of DBT Certified programs in California. They receive ongoing consultation and supervision to not only deliver comprehensive and adherent DBT but also to increase their awareness of social and cultural issues to conduct thorough and compassionate care. I have worked directly with Tricia Mlnarik, who is so kind-hearted and helpful.
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Calm, sensitive approach
I have had wonderful experiences with the DBT Center of Silicon Valley. Their clinicians spend many hours getting extra training and consulting to provide better services for the clients. I've really appreciated their calm, sensitive approach and their respectful attitude toward clients.
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A sense of purpose and direction
Tricia was skilled and actively engaged in trying to help me. Her structured approach through DBT gave therapy a sense of purpose and direction.
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Excellent, compassionate care and excellence
I would have no reservations about referring to this wonderful DBT center. Their clinicians provide excellent, adherent and compassionate care and their director has great integrity. They offer a variety of evidence-based services and hold themselves to a high standard of excellence!
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Linehan Board of Certification was co-founded by DBT’s treatment developer, Marsha Linehan, PhD, to identify programs and providers who offer DBT consistent with the treatment as it was developed. Linehan Board Certified Programs have been evaluated by experts in the field and verified to be providing DBT consistent with the comprehensive model of DBT designed by Dr. Linehan. Research shows that a DBT therapist’s adherence to treatment principles and structure leads to improved outcomes for clients and families. You can learn more about the Linehan Board of Certification at https://dbt-lbc.org/
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While our initial program commitment is 6 months, clients may continue in DBT for a longer period of time to address their specific needs. In 6 months of DBT, a client can learn all of the skills taught in our skills training groups. Therapists and clients monitor client progress throughout a client’s treatment and collaborate on planning the amount of treatment appropriate for the client’s goals, guided by the evidence we have on DBT’s effectiveness.
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DBT skills groups are psycho-educational groups. We follow the typical structure of beginning with a Mindfulness practice, followed by a review of each group member’s practice of skills, and interactive teaching of new skills each week. Mutli-modal teaching methods, such as video, audio, and in-session activities allow participants to fully engage in class material. Skills groups are 2 hours long with a brief break mid-way. Group members are not engaged in “process” work with one another, rather, group members share their individual progress in using skills learned each week. Group leaders help participants find ways to establish routines for integrating skills and troubleshoot difficulties establishing new behaviors.
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Yes, we have therapists excited to meet with you in person at our San Jose office, conveniently located near major freeways and accessible by public transportation.
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Our adult groups cover 4 main skills areas: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Adolescent/Multi-family groups cover those same topics with the addition of Middle Path skills, which include strategies to manage conflict between parents and teens.
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Please call (408) 207-5269 for current rates for individual and group sessions or to request a good faith estimate. If your insurance company provides coverage for “out-of-network” outpatient mental health services, a portion of your treatment may be reimbursed to you by the insurance company. Your DBT therapist can provide you with a statement that includes the necessary codes to file directly with your insurance company. Please contact your insurance carrier directly to learn about your plan’s reimbursement rates.
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Adult groups are offered on Monday or Wednesday evenings, from 6:00-8:00 pm, and are currently offered online. Participants must be in the state of California at the time of their participation in skills group. Our multi-family group meets in our San Jose office on Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 pm.
