At Oakland DBT and Mindfulness Center, we recognize that clinicians often play a vital role in helping clients access the right level of care. If you are considering referring your client for Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), our team is here to collaborate with you in a professional and supportive way. DBT therapy offers clients a structured, evidence-based approach that integrates individual therapy, skills training, and coaching. By working together, we can ensure that your client receives the continuity and consistency of care needed to achieve meaningful, lasting change.
We value the partnership between outside clinicians and our DBT team, and this page is designed to provide clarity about how our programs work, what your clients can expect, and how we coordinate care to best support their treatment journey.
DBT Skills Classes: Structured Learning in a Supportive Environment
For clients who are already engaged in individual therapy—whether with us or an outside provider—our DBT skills classes often serve as an excellent complement. These classes are designed for adults and follow a modular format. Each module focuses on a different skill area, and participants may attend multiple rounds to deepen their understanding and knowledge to apply what they’ve learned.
It is common for clients to report that during their second cycle through the modules, the material feels more integrated and natural. This repetition reinforces skills, making them more effective in everyday situations. Completing all three modules is a prerequisite for joining our Graduate Group, where participants can continue advancing their skills in a more specialized setting.
For a complete overview of our available offerings, you can explore our DBT skills classes and see how they align with your client’s current therapeutic needs.
Comprehensive DBT Treatment: When Full Programming Is Needed
While skills classes provide essential tools, DBT therapy is more than a class—it is a comprehensive treatment model that addresses the emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges many clients face. A complete DBT program typically includes:
- Individual therapy with a DBT-trained clinician
- Skills training groups that emphasize practical application
- Phone coaching to support skill use in real-time moments
- Team consultation among DBT therapists to maintain fidelity to the model
This level of care is particularly valuable for clients who struggle with life-threatening behaviors, chronic emotional dysregulation, or patterns that standard therapy alone has not fully addressed. For DBT to be effective, it is best delivered within a structured program where therapists work together and maintain consistent communication.
When you refer a client to our comprehensive DBT program, we kindly request that you consider whether a pause in your own work with them may be beneficial. This allows the client to fully engage with the structured goals, skills acquisition, and therapeutic relationship within our DBT team. While this may feel like a significant transition, it ensures that the client receives the consistency and intensity that make DBT such a powerful and life-changing treatment.
Graduate Group: Continuing Growth Beyond Core Modules
Clients who have completed all three DBT skills modules may be eligible to join our Graduate Group. This advanced group is designed for individuals who have established a solid foundation in DBT skills and are ready to develop their practice further. Participation in the Graduate Group is considered on a case-by-case basis, especially if a client has completed modules outside of our Center.
This step helps clients sustain their progress, apply skills with greater confidence, and maintain motivation throughout their long-term recovery. For many, the Graduate Group offers a sense of community, accountability, and ongoing structure that extends beyond the initial treatment.
Coordinating Care with Outside Clinicians
At Oakland DBT and Mindfulness Center, we believe in open and respectful collaboration with outside clinicians. Our general expectation is that clients who participate in skills classes while continuing therapy with another provider will actively engage in homework and share what they are learning with their therapist. This ensures alignment between the skills being practiced in group and the goals being pursued in individual therapy.
We typically initiate formal coordination of care if a client shows signs of disengaging from treatment or requires additional support. In these cases, we reach out to discuss observations, share treatment updates, and ensure that all providers are aligned around the client’s needs.
If you prefer a more proactive collaboration, coaching sessions may be scheduled for your client. These sessions provide focused opportunities to apply DBT principles and connect class learning to therapeutic goals. In such cases, we also connect with you directly to ensure that we remain on the same page about the client’s progress and treatment plan.
Coaching Sessions: Bridging Skills and Treatment Goals
For some clients, attending skills classes alone may not be enough to ensure full integration of DBT principles. Coaching sessions offer additional support by focusing on practical application, behavior shaping, and connecting class material to individual goals.
These sessions can complement your ongoing work with the client, creating a bridge between group learning and individual therapy. Our therapists are trained to identify areas where clients may need reinforcement and to collaborate with outside clinicians to provide targeted, personalized care.
Cost and Accessibility of DBT Treatment
We realize that financial considerations play a critical role in treatment planning. Our fees vary depending on the type of service—whether it is individual therapy, skills classes, or coaching sessions. Transparency is essential to us, and we encourage you and your clients to review our pricing information to understand the structure and value of our services.
Clear expectations around costs allow both clinicians and clients to plan effectively, ensuring that financial stress does not become a barrier to accessing the care that is needed.
Our Range of Services
In addition to DBT therapy and skills classes, Oakland DBT and Mindfulness Center offers a variety of evidence-based services designed to meet the special requirements of individuals, couples, and families. From individual therapy to more specialized approaches, our goal is to provide compassionate, comprehensive care tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.
For clinicians exploring treatment options for their clients, a complete overview of our therapy services can provide valuable insight into the breadth of support we offer.
Why Clinician Collaboration Matters
When outside therapists and DBT specialists work together, clients receive the benefit of a coordinated, structured, and compassionate system of care. This collaboration ensures:
- Alignment of treatment goals across providers
- Improved accountability for clients
- Reinforcement of DBT skills in multiple contexts
- A stronger safety net for those at higher risk
Our team is committed to working alongside you to provide consistent care that truly meets your client’s needs.
Referral and Next Steps
If you believe your client would benefit from DBT therapy or participation in skills classes, we invite you to contact our team. We are happy to answer your questions, discuss the referral process, and explore how we can work together to create the best possible outcomes for your client.
For more details or to get started, visit our contact page and connect with us directly. Together, we can ensure that your client has access to the tools, structure, and support they need to move toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes DBT therapy different from standard therapy approaches?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a complete, evidence-based treatment that combines individual therapy, group skills training, and phone coaching. Unlike general talk therapy, DBT emphasizes behavioral change, emotion regulation, and mindfulness, which makes it particularly effective for clients struggling with high-risk behaviors or chronic emotion dysregulation.
Can my client participate in DBT skills classes while continuing therapy with me?
Yes, many clients benefit from joining skills classes while maintaining their individual therapy with an outside provider. We encourage coordination of care to ensure that clients can connect the skills they learn in class to their therapeutic goals with you.
How do you coordinate care with outside therapists?
Our approach to collaboration is transparent and respectful. While clients are expected to share skills homework with their outside therapist, our team initiates care coordination if we notice challenges such as disengagement or the need for additional support, ensuring all providers remain aligned.
What happens if my client needs the complete DBT program instead of skills classes?
If comprehensive DBT is recommended, clients are invited to participate in our structured program, which includes individual DBT therapy, skills group, and coaching. In this case, we ask outside clinicians to consider a pause in their work with the client so they can fully engage with our team’s treatment structure.
How can I determine if my client is a good fit for DBT treatment?
DBT is especially beneficial for clients dealing with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, or chronic difficulties with relationships. If your client would benefit, we are happy to discuss their needs with you and guide whether DBT therapy or DBT skills classes are the most appropriate starting point.
