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Young Adult DBT Skills

Completing a foundational Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program is a significant achievement. For many, it represents a turning point—a moment where essential coping skills are learned, practiced, and applied to daily life. But the journey rarely ends with the completion of core modules. True growth often requires ongoing support, continued refinement, and opportunities to deepen mastery in a structured and encouraging environment. This is where the Graduate DBT Class at Oakland DBT Center plays a transformative role.

Designed for individuals who have already built a foundation in DBT principles such as emotion regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance, this advanced program offers a deeper level of integration. It focuses not only on revisiting skills but also on expanding them into powerful tools for resilience, balance, and long-term well-being. Participants are invited to strengthen their knowledge, explore advanced applications, and develop strategies that feel natural, sustainable, and personally meaningful.

Why a Graduate-Level DBT Class Matters

Graduating from an introductory DBT program marks progress, but life beyond structured therapy sessions is filled with challenges that can test even the strongest skills. Stressful transitions, workplace conflict, relationship struggles, and unexpected emotional triggers can resurface, making it easy to slip back into old patterns without continued guidance.

The Graduate DBT Class bridges this gap by providing:

  • Reinforcement of skills so they become automatic responses.
  • Application of advanced DBT strategies to real-world complexities.
  • Community support that provides genuine accountability, shared experience, and motivation to keep progressing despite setbacks.
  • Long-term resilience is built through consistent, structured practice and personalized professional feedback, promoting sustainable well-being.


This class is not about starting over—it is about taking the next step toward fully, consistently, and confidently living DBT principles.

Who Benefits From the Graduate DBT Class

This program is best suited for individuals who have completed foundational DBT training and wish to continue their growth. Participants often include:

  • Those who seek to refine and strengthen their skills after completing core modules.
  • Individuals who experience ongoing challenges with stress, emotions, or relationships.
  • People who want accountability and structure to maintain progress.
  • Clients are motivated to turn DBT strategies into lasting, second-nature habits.


By bringing together peers with shared experiences, the class fosters an environment where participants learn not only from the facilitators but also from one another.

Young adults learning DBT skills together in class.
Young Adult DBT Skills Classes support growth and balance.

How the Program Is Structured

The Graduate DBT Class follows a format designed to balance review, integration, and advanced learning. A typical 6-week module consists of weekly 90-minute sessions that combine teaching, interactive exercises, and reflection.

Weekly Flow

  1. Mindfulness and Check-In: Sessions begin with mindfulness practice, allowing participants to center themselves and set intentions. This establishes a focused and calm environment, reinforcing mindfulness as an ongoing life skill.
  2. Review and Expansion: Core DBT concepts are revisited, with an emphasis on nuanced understanding. For example, emotion regulation strategies may be discussed in the context of professional conflicts, family stress, or long-term life goals.
  3. Interactive Application: Through roleplays, group discussions, and real-life case examples, participants apply DBT tools to practical scenarios. This ensures skills become usable in dynamic, unpredictable situations.
  4. Advanced Exploration: New strategies and deeper applications are introduced. Topics may include navigating high-stakes decisions, cultivating emotional flexibility, or practicing validation in challenging interpersonal dynamics.
  5. Integration and Planning: Each session concludes with personalized reflection and action steps, ensuring participants leave with practical takeaways to apply immediately.

Core Areas of Focus

The Graduate DBT Class covers familiar ground but with greater depth, encouraging participants to move beyond surface understanding.

Mindfulness in Action

While introductory DBT introduces mindfulness as a concept, the graduate program develops it into a lifestyle practice. Participants learn how to apply mindfulness not only during moments of stress but also in daily routines, decision-making, and relationships.

Emotion Regulation at a Higher Level

Instead of only identifying and managing emotions, advanced work emphasizes anticipating emotional patterns, reducing vulnerability, and cultivating long-term balance. Participants develop tools to stay grounded in high-pressure environments.

Resilience in Distress

Distress tolerance skills become more sophisticated, focusing on flexibility and endurance. The class explores how to manage prolonged periods of uncertainty or major life transitions without reverting to harmful behaviors.

Interpersonal Mastery

Beyond learning how to communicate effectively, the program emphasizes the nuances of relationships. Participants practice advanced empathy, boundary-setting, and collaborative problem-solving in complex scenarios.

Self-Compassion and Validation

Participants learn to extend the same compassion to themselves that they practice with others. This fosters resilience, prevents burnout, and strengthens confidence in using DBT strategies in the long term.

How This Class Differs From Foundational Programs

Introductory DBT programs are about learning—the Graduate DBT Class is about living. Foundational courses teach the skills; advanced learning focuses on when and how to apply them naturally.

Think of it as the difference between memorizing dance steps and moving fluidly to music. The shift is from intellectual knowledge to embodied practice, from theoretical understanding to lived resilience.

The Role of the Facilitator

Facilitators in this Class are more than instructors. They serve as guides and mentors, drawing from both professional expertise and clinical experience. Their role is to:

  • Provide context that connects DBT principles to real-life challenges.
  • Offer personalized feedback during interactive exercises.
  • Create a supportive and validating environment.
  • Encourage accountability while modeling compassion.


With professional leadership, participants feel supported while being gently challenged to expand their comfort zones.

The Benefits of Continued Learning

Greater confidence in managing stress, navigating emotional triggers, and overcoming setbacks in daily life.

  • Enhanced relationships through stronger communication, empathy, and effective boundary-setting.
  • Consistency in applying healthy coping strategies.
  • Enhanced emotional stability that helps sustain long-term progress, even after therapy ends.
  • A lasting network of supportive peers who help maintain growth and resilience.


These results help transform DBT skills into lasting strengths that empower participants to navigate daily challenges and major life transitions.

Young adults practicing DBT skills in a supportive class.

Real-World Application

A key feature is encouraging participants to bring current challenges—such as work conflicts, family issues, or personal goals—and practice applying DBT strategies to these situations.

This practical approach ensures that skills are not just learned in theory but are actively integrated into daily life. Over time, participants develop the ability to apply strategies flexibly, making DBT tools an authentic part of their identity.

Building Long-Term Resilience

The goal of this Class is not simply to revisit old lessons but to create a sustainable framework for emotional health. By practicing skills in varied contexts, participants strengthen their capacity to face future challenges with confidence. The class fosters a growth mindset, encouraging participants to see setbacks as opportunities for learning rather than failures.

Enrollment and Next Steps

Enrollment in these Classes involves a few clear steps: verify that you have completed the foundational DBT modules, then contact the Oakland DBT Center to express your interest. The Center will provide information about the next session, answer any questions, and assist with any necessary paperwork. Once accepted, you will join a small, supportive group focused on meaningful engagement.

Secure your spot now—spaces are limited. Take your next step toward growth, stability, and resilience today.

Conclusion

The Graduate DBT Class at Oakland DBT Center is more than an extension of therapy—it is a transformative opportunity to deepen emotional resilience, strengthen relationships, and integrate DBT into everyday life. For those who have already completed foundational training, this advanced program provides the structure, support, and expertise necessary to sustain progress.

By committing to continued practice, participants not only reinforce their skills but also shape long-term habits that foster balance, stability, and fulfillment. The class represents the next step in transforming learned strategies into lived strengths, offering a pathway toward lasting emotional health that extends well beyond the therapy room.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the focus of the Graduate DBT Class?

It emphasizes deepening existing DBT skills, applying them to real-life challenges, and developing advanced strategies for emotional resilience. The program is designed for those who have already completed foundational DBT training.

Who is eligible to join this class?

Participants should have prior experience with DBT, typically through a foundational program. This ensures everyone enters the group with a shared understanding of core concepts.

How is this class different from introductory DBT programs?

While introductory courses teach the basics, this program focuses on mastery and real-world application. The shift is from learning skills to living them confidently and consistently.

What can I expect in each session?

Sessions include mindfulness practice, skill review, interactive exercises, and reflection. Each class ends with practical takeaways that can be applied immediately in daily life.

What are the long-term benefits of continuing with this program?

Participants often report stronger emotional balance, healthier relationships, and improved coping in high-stress situations. The program supports lasting growth through consistent practice and guidance.​lthy relationships, and cope with stress more effectively. These tools bring immediate and long-term results.

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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.