DBT Therapy for Adolescents, Adults,
and Families in Encinitas
Intense emotions can make everyday life, relationships, school, work, and family life feel overwhelming. This might look like anxiety, shutting down, impulsive behavior, self-harm, recurring conflict, or feeling stuck in patterns that are difficult to change.
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help teens and adults build practical skills for managing emotions, responding more effectively in difficult moments, and improving their relationships.
When working with teens, I also work with parents and families when appropriate to reduce conflict and create more supportive patterns at home. I offer in-person therapy in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas, as well as online therapy throughout California.
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DBT can be especially helpful for teens who may understand what they are supposed to do but have difficulty using that knowledge when their emotions become intense. It may be a good fit if your teen is struggling with:
Intense or rapidly changing emotions
Anxiety, depression, or school avoidance
Anger, impulsivity, or recurring crises
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Shutting down or refusing to communicate
Frequent conflict at home
Relationships that feel unstable or overwhelming
Previous therapy that increased insight but did not lead to enough change
Every teen and family is different. During the initial consultation and assessment, we will talk about what has been happening, what you have already tried, and whether DBT fits your teen’s needs.
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DBT is practical and active. We do not only talk about what happened. We look at what led up to the situation, what made it harder, and what you can try differently the next time.
DBT can help you learn to:
Notice and understand your emotions
Manage intense emotions without acting impulsively
Get through difficult moments without making the situation worse
Communicate your needs more effectively
Set boundaries and handle conflict
Stay more present instead of becoming overwhelmed
Reduce behaviors that interfere with relationships, work, school, or other important areas of life
Apply skills in real-world situations when they are actually needed
Learning a skill in therapy is only the beginning. The goal is to practice these skills in real situations so they become easier to access when emotions are high.
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At the beginning of treatment, I take time to understand what has been happening, identify the behaviors or patterns creating the most difficulty, and clarify what you would like to change.
Sessions are collaborative and structured. We use real situations from your life to understand patterns, practice skills, and develop a plan for handling similar situations more effectively in the future.
Depending on your needs, treatment may include individual therapy, DBT skills practice, diary cards to track emotions, urges, behaviors, and skill use, safety planning and ongoing progress monitoring, and between-session phone coaching within established treatment boundaries.
For adolescents, treatment may also include parent coaching and family sessions when appropriate.
Not every person needs every component. We will determine together what level of structure and support is appropriate.
FAQs
01
Does DBT help with self-harm?
DBT was specifically developed to address serious behaviors such as self-harm and suicidal behavior. Treatment helps teens recognize triggers, tolerate distress, ask for support, and use safer alternatives when urges become intense. Safety is assessed individually, and a clear safety plan is developed when needed.
If your teen is in immediate danger or unable to remain safe, please call 911, call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.
03
Do you provide online therapy?
Yes. I provide in-person therapy in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas, as well as secure online therapy for clients located throughout California.
02
How are parents involved in treatment?
The level of parent involvement depends on the teen’s age, needs, and treatment goals. Parents often participate through parent-coaching or family sessions while the teen also has an individual space to work. We will discuss expectations for confidentiality and parent involvement at the beginning of treatment.
04
Do you work with adults?
Yes. I provide individual DBT therapy for adults experiencing intense emotions, anger and irritability, emotional outbursts, difficulty controlling reactions, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, relationship difficulties, recurring patterns of avoidance or shutdown, and other challenges with emotional regulation.
DBT can be especially helpful for adults who want practical strategies for managing anger, responding more effectively during conflict, and changing patterns they later regret. Treatment is tailored to your individual goals and focuses on developing practical skills that can be applied in everyday life.
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Do you accept insurance?
I am in-network with Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross of California.
If you have another PPO insurance plan, you may have out-of-network benefits that reimburse a portion of the cost of therapy. I can provide the documentation needed to seek reimbursement and, for eligible out-of-network plans, may also be able to assist with submitting claims on your behalf.
Because benefits vary considerably between plans, I recommend verifying your specific out-of-network mental-health benefits before beginning treatment.