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Adult DBT Skills Classes

Adulthood can be both rewarding and overwhelming. Between professional demands, family responsibilities, and personal goals, many adults find themselves stretched thin. Stress, anxiety, or relationship struggles can feel relentless, leaving little room to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters. Our Adult DBT Skills Classes are designed specifically for people aged 30 and above who want to develop practical tools for handling life’s challenges with greater balance, resilience, and clarity.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a research-based approach that equips individuals with skills to manage feelings, cope with distress, and foster healthier relationships. Unlike therapy focused solely on exploring the past, DBT is forward-looking and solution-oriented. Participants gain hands-on techniques they can use right away—tools that help not just during crises but also in daily decision-making and long-term personal growth.

Why Adults Benefit from DBT Skills Training

Adults attending DBT skills training in a group.

Many adults come to DBT because they feel stuck in unhelpful cycles: overthinking, reacting impulsively, withdrawing from relationships, or trying to numb overwhelming feelings. Others want to improve communication, set healthier boundaries, or feel more in control of their inner world.

The adult program provides a supportive peer environment, where participants share a common experience of navigating life at a stage marked by responsibilities and transitions. Unlike younger groups that focus on identity development or school transitions, our classes address adult-centered themes such as:

  • Balancing work, family, and self-care.
  • Coping with stress, burnout, and life transitions.
  • Strengthening long-term relationships or navigating conflict.
  • Parenting or caregiving while maintaining personal well-being.
  • Reducing unhealthy coping strategies like avoidance or overcontrol.

This age-focused environment helps participants feel understood, supported, and validated in their struggles—while offering encouragement to create meaningful change.

How Adult DBT Skills Classes Are Structured

The program is designed to be structured, accessible, and actionable. Classes are intentionally kept practical so that participants can know, practice, and apply the skills in real life.

  • Duration: About 6 months in total.
  • Modules: Three 8-week modules, with mindfulness skills taught at the beginning of each one.
  • Class Format: Weekly 90-minute sessions.
  • Facilitators: Sessions are led by highly trained clinicians who bring expertise and compassion to the process.

This format allows adults to commit in manageable steps. Instead of signing up for a half-year commitment at once, participants join one module at a time, making the journey less overwhelming and more manageable.

The Four Pillars of DBT Skills Training

Core Mindfulness

Mindfulness provides the foundation for all DBT skills. In Adult DBT Skills Classes, Mindfulness is taught as a practical way to stay present, grounded, and effective in everyday life.

  • Build awareness of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.
  • Reduce reactivity and impulsive decision-making.
  • Strengthen focus and clarity during stressful situations.
  • Learn to respond with intention rather than defaulting to old habits.

For adults juggling busy schedules, Mindfulness creates the space to slow down and make choices that align with personal values and goals.

Distress Tolerance

Life is full of challenging moments—conflicts, losses, setbacks, or unexpected changes. Distress Tolerance skills teach strategies for enduring painful situations without resorting to destructive behaviors.

  • Crisis survival tools to get through overwhelming moments.
  • Healthy coping strategies that prevent situations from worsening.
  • Radical acceptance practices work with reality instead of resisting it.
  • Grounding techniques to steady emotions in high-stress situations.

For adults, these skills can be life-changing in navigating challenges such as workplace stress, relationship difficulties, or health concerns. Instead of escalating conflict or avoiding problems, participants learn to manage them with steadiness and resilience.

Emotion Regulation

Emotions are powerful and often deeply ingrained. Many adults feel hijacked by strong emotions, leading to patterns of anger, guilt, or avoidance that interfere with relationships and well-being. Emotion Regulation equips participants with tools to work with emotions instead of being controlled by them.

  • Understand emotional patterns and triggers.
  • Discover how to mitigate vulnerability to intense emotions.
  • Practice the opposite action to shift unhelpful emotional responses.
  • Develop healthier daily habits that support stability.

The goal is not to eliminate emotions but to understand and use them effectively. Participants leave with a personalized plan to manage their emotions effectively and move toward a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Relationships—whether personal or professional—are central to adult life. Yet communication breakdowns, unclear boundaries, or conflict often cause unnecessary pain. Interpersonal Effectiveness teaches adults how to approach relationships with clarity, confidence, and mutual respect.

  • Express needs clearly and respectfully.
  • Say “no” without guilt or fear of rejection.
  • Strengthen meaningful relationships and repair damaged ones.
  • Balance respect for self with care for others.

In practice, these skills often lead to healthier dynamics at work, improved family communication, and stronger long-term partnerships.

Who Should Join Adult DBT Skills Classes?

Our program is open to adults 30 years and older who are looking to build healthier patterns of coping, communication, and emotional management. Participants must be engaged in individual therapy to participate, but the treatment does not need to be provided through the Oakland DBT Center. For those seeking both individual therapy and skills training, our team can provide guidance.

If you are between 18 and 29, you may find a more fitting peer group in our dedicated DBT Skills Classes for Young Adults. Each program is structured to meet the developmental needs of its participants, ensuring a supportive and practical experience.

What to Expect in the Classroom

Adults practicing DBT skills in a guided class.
Adult DBT Skills Classes foster balance and resilience.

Enrolling in Adult DBT Skills Classes means joining a supportive, interactive environment where participants are encouraged to learn and practice together. Here’s what the experience looks like:

  • Active participation: Each session combines teaching, discussion, and practice.
  • Homework assignments: Skills are applied outside of class to deepen learning.
  • Peer support: Participants benefit from encouragement and accountability within a community of peers.
  • Professional guidance: Classes are facilitated by experts such as Alyson Barry, PhD, and Priya Jogia, LCSW, who bring both clinical knowledge and compassionate leadership.

Participants also use the DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, a resource designed to support learning and practice throughout the program.

Why Oakland DBT Center?

Our center is committed to creating an environment that balances professionalism with compassion. We understand that adults bring unique life experiences and responsibilities to the table. At Oakland DBT Center, we strive to honor these differences by tailoring our teaching to participants’ lived realities.

We also recognize that mental health challenges do not exist in isolation. Structural and social stressors, including systemic inequities, work environments, and cultural pressures, shape how people experience and manage distress. By acknowledging these broader influences, we help participants navigate them with both resilience and practical tools.

If you are new to this therapeutic approach, you should explore what dialectical means in DBT, which highlights the balance between acceptance and change that guides our classes.

Practical Details

  • Duration: Six months, divided into two modules of three months each.
  • Schedule: Weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes.
  • Modules: Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness, with Mindfulness integrated into each.
  • Materials: Required purchase of the DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets.
  • Facilitators:
    • Monday classes: Priya Jogia, LCSW
    • Tuesday classes: Alyson Barry, PhD

Taking the Next Step

Committing to Adult DBT Skills Classes is a step toward developing healthier patterns, fostering stronger relationships, and achieving a more balanced life. Participants leave the program with a practical toolkit for navigating stress, managing emotions, and creating meaningful connections that endure.

Transparent information about program costs is available on our pricing and fees page. Reviewing this information will help you plan and prepare for your participation.

If you are ready to take the next step—or if you are curious about whether DBT is right for you—we encourage you to reach out. Our team is here to answer questions, provide guidance, and support you in finding the right fit for your needs. Together, we can explore how DBT skills can help you move forward toward the life you want to create.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Who can join the Adult DBT Skills Classes?

Our Adult DBT Skills Classes are designed for individuals aged 30 and older who want to strengthen emotional regulation, stress management, and relationship skills. Participants must also be engaged in individual therapy, though this does not have to be with Oakland DBT Center.

How long does the Adult DBT program take to complete?

The program lasts about six months, divided into three 8-week modules covering mindfulness practice, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal Effectiveness. Each module builds practical coping tools adults can apply immediately in daily life.

What is the difference between Adult and Young Adult DBT Classes?

While the core skills are the same, Adult DBT Skills Classes focus on challenges more common in adulthood—career demands, family responsibilities, and long-term relationships. Young Adult DBT classes are tailored to the needs of ages 18–29, including identity development and transitions into independence.

Do I need prior experience with DBT to join?

No prior DBT experience is necessary. Our clinicians guide participants step-by-step, starting with foundational mindfulness techniques before moving into more advanced coping strategies. The program is accessible for both newcomers and those familiar with therapy.

What benefits can I expect from Adult DBT Skills Classes?

Participants gain lifelong tools to manage emotions, navigate conflict, and reduce stress while improving communication and self-confidence. Many find they build healthier coping strategies, create stronger relationships, and develop greater resilience in both personal and professional life.

 

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Rajesh Jagannathan

Rajesh Jagannathan

Rajesh Jagannathan was born in India and earned a B.Tech in Computer Science from IIT, Madras. After spending a few youthful years in the Masters/Ph.D. program at the Ohio State University moved to the Bay Area for work. Since then he has stayed in the Bay Area and worked in tech for the better part of 20+ years. He has been with the center since its inception playing a key advisory role on tech related matters.

He enjoys living in the bay area with his family, exploring the outdoors in California and the world at large. While interests change over time some constants through the years have been travel, cooking, painting and board games. Lately all his spare time has been consumed by pickleball.

David Pepper

David Pepper, MD (Retired)

Dr. Pepper was born in San Francisco and attended UC Berkeley and then Medical and Graduate School in Iowa. Returning to California, he practiced and taught full spectrum Family Medicine with UCSF for 30+ years, working in Fresno, San Francisco and Contra Costa Counties. 1,000 births and 1,000 deaths one could say – with thousands of Families in between… in the ER, Hospital and Outpatient Clinics – always with a focus on Family and Community.
 
He has a long interest in Psychedelics and completed the CPTR program through CIIS in 2023. He is passionate about helping people think about how to craft their second half of life with meaning, including planning for a natural End of Life process that is not over medicalized.  He believes that a well planned End of Life allows people to live well.  More about his work can be found here.  
 
He brings his expertise in clinical assessment, and the tools that support this to working with the Team at Oakland DBT and Mindfulness Center to develop best practices for working with clients seeking expanded state treatment.  He collaborates with his wife who also works with clients in Expanded States.  He enjoys his 4 children, gardening, hiking, and community.
Rochelle

Rochelle Frank, PsyD

Rochelle Frank, PhD is a clinical psychologist in Oakland, CA with over 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Dr. Frank earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at Syracuse University and completed her clinical training at Yale Psychiatric Institute. She specializes in evidence-based transdiagnostic treatment of  complex and co-occurring mood, anxiety, and trauma disorders in adults and adolescents, and related  problems in high-conflict couples and families. 

In addition to her private practice Dr.  Frank is an assistant clinical professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and also  holds faculty and supervisory appointments at The Wright Institute and the University of California San  Francisco School of Medicine.  She is co-author of The transdiagnostic road map to case formulation and  treatment planning: Practical guidance for clinical decision making (Frank & Davidson, 2014; New Harbinger),  a contributing author to S. G. Hofmann & S. C. Hayes (Eds.), Beyond the DSM (2020, New Harbinger), and  currently serves on the board of directors for the Institute for Better Health.

Dr. Frank has been involved with Oakland DBT and Mindfulness Center since 2012.  She has served as a clinical consultant and focuses on helping the Team bring a transdiagnostic process-based perspective to case formulation and treatment planning, as well as integrating methods from other third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies into the DBT model.  

In addition to enjoying time with her family, Dr.  Frank is an avid golfer, home chef, and a frequent beta-tester of her clinical skills while skiing and mountain biking.

Michael Stanger

Michael Stanger, MD

I am a board-certified psychiatrist practicing in California and Colorado across a range of settings – inpatient, outpatient, emergency and partial hospital, with current affiliations at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Boulder Community Health.

I have a particular interest in the therapeutic utility of ketamine to support psychotherapy. I began working with ketamine in 2016, initially in my California private practice where I administered oral and intramuscular doses. I have since continued to support therapist access and to develop understanding around the most effective use of these modality. In related work, I have mentored with the CIIS Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research and taught sessions with the Polaris Insight Center on ketamine.

My background includes childhood immigration from South Africa to New York, working in the technology industry for several years and then traveling in an unscripted manner to arrive at the awareness that medicine, and ultimately psychiatry would be the path to be helpful to others in an applied way.

Chrysanthe

Chrysanthe Christodoulou

Operations Manager

Chrysanthe is our Operations Manager and one of our in-house Mindfulness Experts. She connects with new clients as they come into the Center, oversees day to day operations and runs special projects.  She is instrumental in supporting the Team by bringing joy, flow and ease.

Chrysanthe studied Meditation, Yoga, and Mindfulness with some of the most respected teachers of our time. She also holds a BS in Economics.  This combination of skills ensures our Center runs efficiently behind the scenes and lends wisdom to our budding Mindfulness Program.

Her local teaching career has spanned the Bay Area and beyond: overseas in Spain, Chile, Greece, and Amsterdam; and locally in San Francisco, Marin, Berkeley, Oakland, and Walnut Creek. Chrysanthe honors the magic in both movement and stillness, stirring energy and witnessing what emerges as everything settles into place. 

When Chrysanthe isn’t handling the business end of the Center or running mindfulness programming, you can find her exploring trails with her wolf pup, finding connection in community, and enjoying the sun and the sea.

Priya Jogia

Priya Jogia

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

​​Priya Jogia is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Since 2013, she has worked in various clinical settings including: community mental health, hospital, and outpatient programs. Priya’s also spent time in Vietnam studying international social work and the relationship between culture, ethnicity, and mental health.

Priya is an active practitioner of mindfulness-based behavioral therapies including DBT and ACT, and has extensive training in CBT. As a DBT therapist, she’s seen the positive impact of using DBT skills in her own life, and is strongly committed to helping clients live meaningful lives that are aligned with their values.

Priya has an interest in perinatal mental health and working with BIPOC populations, and she strives to integrate a social and racial justice lens into her work. While being a therapist has brought a lot of meaning to Priya’s life, she tries not to take herself too seriously, and gets much joy from being a mum, being in nature, and cuddling with her dog.

Jay Indik

Jay Indik

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Jay brings his compassion, creativity, and equanimity to support each person who seeks therapy.. He believes that what makes each person happy is connected to their deepest sense of what is important. Jay listens for how each client can idiosyncratically transform their suffering into a happier life. As a result of working with Jay folks’ learn to address unwanted behavior, regulate their emotions, recover from individual or cultural trauma, repair relationships, and organize their behavior consistent with their values Jay has intensive training and has practiced the following modalities for decades: DBT, Narrative Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Sensory Modulation, Psychodynamic Treatment and Expressive Arts Therapies. Jay specializes in working with couples, parents, parent child dyads and young adults, as well as with individuals from mid-life through retirement. Jay’s experience as a theater director, parent, teacher, and executive combined with his knowledge of research validated treatments allows him to best relate and serve each individual.

Jay has two adult children (one daughter, one non-binary), a “Real Dads Love Trans kids” t-shirt, and one amazing grandchild he watches one day a week.

Ari Tavano

Ariana Tavano

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Ari Tavano is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). She has worked in an array of clinical settings for over ten years, and utilizes the diversity of her experience to foster a therapeutic frame rooted in curiosity and empathic regard. She specializes in working with those looking to cultivate self-growth, increase interpersonal efficacy, and develop an affirming relationship with their internal worlds.

Ari extends a humanistic approach to her work by nourishing the whole self – according to one’s intersectionality and inherent wisdom. She is trained in DBT and other treatment modalities, including CBT, Existentialism, and Trauma Theory. She harmonizes the concepts of behaviorism and intuitiveness of relational healing, with opportunities to explore psychedelics and expanded-state work.

Ari invites you to build capacity for both processing and playfulness. She prioritizes humor and is often found in the ocean, on the dance floor, and imagining her next adventure. Ari has also worked as a licensed public school teacher in Hawai’i and documentary photographer in South Africa. She is committed to equity, inclusion, and the pursuit of social justice.

Alyson Barry

Alyson Barry, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Alyson Barry is a licensed clinical psychologist (PhD). Since 2005, she’s gained experience in diverse areas of practice, including inpatient hospitals, intensive outpatient programs, community mental health, and private practice. Alyson came to DBT in 2013 through her own yoga and meditation practice, which led her to seek additional training in mindfulness-based therapies. Drawn to work with people who’ve experienced developmental trauma, she begins by addressing what’s happening in the present, helping her clients develop practical skills that fundamentally improve how they interact with themselves and the world around them. As a result of this work, this can over time, set the stage for healing the older wounds. She believes in a collaborative and consent-based treatment approach, working to ensure that clients understand and are in agreement with any diagnosis or therapeutic technique. She hopes that this transparency can help to create an environment of respect for her clients’ choice, autonomy, and knowledge of themselves. She is also a big believer in bringing humor and irreverence into therapy. In her free time, Alyson enjoys snorkeling, hanging out with her cat, and spending time with friends. Alyson is available to work via telehealth with clients in California, Colorado, and Florida.
Heather Macbeth

Heather Macbeth

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT)

Heather co-founded the Oakland DBT & Mindfulness Center in 2012. She is a licensed MFT. She offers a relational, somatic, experiential and humanistic approach to her work and is committed to relieving psychological suffering. Her style is both compassionate and gentle as well as directive and aims to be supportive of each person’s unique needs. Her work focuses on emotion regulation, changing persistent cycles of self-blame, listening more closely to intuitive knowing and increasing self compassion. She is committed and dedicated to helping her clients have a life where they can find themselves thrive vs. just survive. Working as a therapist, clinical supervisor, skills group and workshop facilitator has brought her a lot of joy. In addition to a private practice setting she has worked in community mental health organizations with disenfranchised youth and families and in public schools as a Behavioral Specialist. Heather works with adults and teens. She is intensively trained in DBT and other treatment modalities such as; Gestalt, Psychodynamic, MBSR, ands Expressive Arts. She is certified in EAP (Equine-assisted psychotherapy) and offers equine-facilitated learning workshops in the Bay Area. Additionally, she has received her training in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy through the Polaris Insight Center in San Francisco and is inspired by the potential healing benefits of expanded states of consciousness work.

In her free time, and in ideal worlds, she is exploring jungles, hot springs, beaches, hanging out with animals (large and small), enjoying good food, travel and most importantly time with loved ones.

Christine Benvenuto

Christine Benvenuto

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT)

Christine is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the co-founder and Executive Director of the Oakland DBT and Mindfulness Center. She brings over 25 years of experience in mental health to her work, with a background in working with people in all walks of life in residential, outpatient and home based settings. A systems thinker, valuing sustaining relationships, she works with individuals, couples and groups, with a strong belief that small shifts can create dynamic changes.

She blends a lifetime of interest and practice in somatics, meditation, embodiment, psychedelics and the arts with a passion for social justice, nature and thriving ecosystems. Her mentors are psychologically savvy, center co-existence, value differences and maintain a sense of humor.

Her professional training spans from depth oriented, expanded state and attachment based to behavioral styles of treatment. She co-creates a therapeutic container that feels collaborative, warm, dynamic, thoughtful and deeply resonant.

She works with individuals, couples and groups, offering ongoing weekly therapy, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Consultation.

Along side of her professional life, Christine is grateful for her extended web of relationships as daughter, sister, wife, friend, step-mom and community connector.