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Couples and Family Therapy

Relationships form the foundation of our emotional well-being, yet even the closest bonds can be tested by stress, miscommunication, or unresolved conflict. When family members or couples feel stuck in cycles of misunderstanding, frustration, or distance, it can leave everyone feeling isolated and disconnected. Couples and Family Therapy offers a safe, structured, and supportive environment where partners and families can strengthen their communication, rebuild trust, and establish healthier patterns of relating.

At Oakland DBT Center, our approach goes beyond surface-level solutions. We integrate evidence-based methods with compassion, mindfulness, and insight, ensuring that every session not only addresses immediate challenges but also fosters long-term growth and resilience. Whether you’re navigating recurring arguments, parenting stress, or a desire for a deeper emotional connection, therapy can help you restore harmony and feel more connected to those who matter most.

Why Couples and Family Therapy Matters

Every relationship faces moments of strain, but when tension becomes ongoing, it can erode trust and connection. Therapy provides a supportive space to pause, step outside reactive patterns, and explore healthier ways of engaging. Common reasons people seek couples or family therapy include:

  • Communication breakdowns that leave family members or partners feeling unheard.
  • Conflict escalation, where minor disagreements turn into major arguments.
  • Parenting challenges, including differences in approaches or struggles with co-parenting.
  • Loss of intimacy or emotional closeness creates feelings of loneliness within relationships.
  • Unresolved past hurts, whether from betrayal, trauma, or generational wounds.
  • Life transitions, such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or caring for aging parents.


Therapy creates an opportunity to strengthen the bond between partners and families by focusing on safety, understanding, and connection. With the guidance of a skilled therapist, clients learn not only to resolve conflicts but also to rediscover what initially brought them together.

How Our Therapists Support You

At Oakland DBT Center, our therapists are highly trained in approaches that integrate practical skills with deeper emotional insight. We understand that no two families or couples are the same, so therapy is tailored to the unique needs of each group.

Our work draws from a range of evidence-based modalities, including:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Teaching emotional regulation and mindfulness strategies that reduce reactivity.
  • Somatic Experiencing – Addressing how stress and trauma live in the body, helping clients release tension and build resilience.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Supporting values-driven choices while creating space for difficult emotions.
  • Humanistic and Narrative Therapy – Helping clients reframe stories and strengthen identity within relationships.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Guiding individuals and couples through healing from trauma that impacts relationships.


By weaving together these approaches, therapists help couples and families move beyond blame and defensiveness into new ways of relating. The result is greater emotional safety, mutual understanding, and stronger bonds.

What to Expect in Couples and Family Therapy

Therapist guiding couple and family in supportive session
Building stronger bonds through couple and family therapy

Entering therapy can feel daunting, especially when emotions are raw or trust has been fractured. At the Oakland DBT Center, we prioritize creating a compassionate and nonjudgmental space where every voice matters. Here’s what you can expect:

1. The First Sessions: Building Safety and Clarity

The initial sessions are about building trust and understanding the challenges that brought you in. Your therapist will listen to each person’s perspective and begin identifying patterns that may be fueling disconnection. Together, you’ll define goals—whether they are to reduce conflict, improve communication, strengthen parenting, or rebuild intimacy.

2. Tools and Skills for Immediate Relief

Therapists introduce practical tools early in the process, such as:

  • Learning how to pause and respond instead of reacting in heated moments.
  • Practicing mindful listening to hear each other’s experiences truly.
  • Developing skills for setting healthy boundaries.


These tools often provide immediate relief by reducing conflict and creating more space for constructive dialogue.

3. Deeper Work: Understanding the “Why”

Beyond tools, therapy helps uncover the deeper roots of conflict—unmet needs, unresolved grief, or generational patterns that keep resurfacing. This phase is about building empathy, shifting perspectives, and cultivating acceptance.

4. Long-Term Transformation

The ultimate goal of therapy is not just to “fix problems” but to create lasting change. Couples and families often report:

  • Stronger emotional intimacy.
  • More open, respectful communication.
  • A sense of being allies instead of adversaries.
  • Renewed hope for their relationship’s future.

Who Can Benefit From Couples and Family Therapy?

This therapy is designed for individuals seeking to deepen their connection and enhance their relationships with loved ones. Some of the most common situations include:

  • Couples are navigating the stresses of careers, parenting, or financial strain.
  • Families working through conflict between parents and teenagers.
  • Adult siblings addressing long-standing tensions.
  • Blended families adjusting to new dynamics.
  • Partners recovering from breaches of trust or betrayal.
  • Families coping with grief, illness, or major transitions.


No matter the situation, therapy offers the opportunity to move from disconnection and conflict toward more profound understanding and compassion.

Why Choose Oakland DBT Center for Couples and Family Therapy?

Selecting the right therapist is essential for effective healing. At Oakland DBT Center, we are committed to:

  • Comprehensive expertise – Our therapists are trained in multiple modalities, enabling us to tailor our approach to meet your specific needs.
  • Collaborative care – We see therapy as a partnership where every voice is valued and respected.
  • Evidence-based methods – Our work is rooted in proven approaches that foster real and lasting change.
  • Flexibility – Sessions are offered both in-person and virtually for clients who select the comfort of online meetings.


Our focus is not only on solving immediate challenges but also on helping families and couples develop long-term resilience and tools they can continue using outside of therapy.

How Sessions Are Structured

Unlike individual therapy sessions, which typically run 50 minutes, couples and family sessions at the Oakland DBT Center are generally longer, lasting around 75 minutes. The extended time allows for deeper exploration and ensures that each person has space to be heard.

The frequency of sessions relies on your objectives and needs. Some families begin with weekly sessions, while others may transition to bi-weekly as progress is made. Together, you and your therapist will determine a schedule that balances consistency with flexibility.

The Role of Skills and Mindfulness in Relationship Healing

Couple and family in therapy session with supportive guidance
Strengthening relationships through therapy and connection

Lasting change in relationships doesn’t come only from insight but also from practicing new skills consistently. That’s why many clients also explore structured programs like DBT skills classes, which provide practical tools for managing emotions, reducing reactivity, and communicating more effectively. These skills can complement therapy and accelerate progress.

In addition, mindfulness is woven throughout sessions, helping clients slow down, notice patterns, and respond with greater awareness. Over time, this practice creates space for more thoughtful choices and a calmer, more connected way of relating.

Investing in Your Relationships

Therapy is an investment not just in resolving conflict but in creating a healthier, more fulfilling life with the people you love. Every relationship has the potential for healing and growth when given the proper support.

Transparent information about fees is available on our pricing page. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable care.

Taking the First Step

If your relationship or family dynamic feels strained, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Couples and Family Therapy at Oakland DBT Center offers a supportive, compassionate space to rebuild connection, strengthen communication, and rediscover joy in your closest relationships.

Reaching out for help is an act of courage and care for yourself and those you love. Contact us today to begin the journey toward healing and growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should we expect during the first couple of family therapy sessions?

The first meeting is designed to make everyone feel comfortable and to ensure that everyone is heard. Your therapist will invite each person to share their perspective, listen carefully to their concerns, and begin identifying the patterns that affect your relationships. Together, you’ll create a roadmap for how therapy can support growth and connection.

How long does couples or family therapy usually take?

The length of therapy relies on your needs and goals as a couple or family. Some clients notice positive shifts after a few months, while others continue longer for more profound healing and ongoing support. Your therapist will work with you to determine a pace that feels right.

Can therapy really help improve communication and reduce conflict?

Yes. Therapy offers evidence-based tools to interrupt cycles of frustration and misunderstanding. With practice, families and couples learn to communicate more clearly, listen with empathy, and respond rather than react. Over time, these skills lead to healthier interactions and stronger emotional bonds.

Is what we talk about in therapy kept private?

Confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of therapy, fostering a secure atmosphere for open and honest discussions. What you share stays private, with only a few exceptions required by law for safety. Your therapist will review these guidelines with you upfront, so you know exactly what to expect.

How do we know if couples or family therapy is right for us?

Therapy can be helpful if you’re feeling disconnected, facing repeated conflicts, or wanting to strengthen your relationships before problems grow. It’s not just for crises—many families and couples use therapy as a space to build resilience, improve trust, and deepen emotional closeness. A consultation can help you decide if it’s the right fit.

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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.

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