ABOUT US
Our Story
We are a vibrant team of clinicians who believe that change doesn’t happen in isolation–it happens in relationships, in practice, and in hope.
For years, our founder and clinical director, Tricia Mlnarik, worked with clients who were bright, capable, and deeply motivated, yet stuck in cycles of emotional pain, relational chaos, and persistent self-doubt.
Many had tried therapy before. They were told to “calm down,” “be grateful,” or “just change their thinking.” But no one had ever taught them how to navigate emotions that felt too intense, too heavy, or too constant.
That gap–between insight and real-life change–became impossible to ignore.
DBT Center of Silicon Valley was born out of both professional conviction and personal compassion: the belief that people deserve more than surface-level solutions when life feels overwhelming.
We combine the gold-standard structure of Linehan Board Certified DBT with a deeply relational, team-based model of care. Our work focuses on teaching skills people were never taught–how to regulate emotions, set boundaries, communicate effectively, and build lives that feel worth living.
MEET THE TEAM
OUR
team
Tricia Mlnarik
Licensed Marriage &
Family Therapist (LMFT)
Amy Kazem
Associate Marriage
& Family Therapist
Leah Nascimento
Licensed Marriage &
Family Therapist (LMFT)
Stormeka Jones
Licensed Marriage &
Family Therapist (LMFT)
Get matched with one of our therapists
CLIENT
REVIEWS
Read
Our
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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!
