Business Details
23 Years
experience
Comprehensive DBT Programs in Sierra Madre, CA
Choices Counseling & Skills Center has been dedicated to providing high-quality mental health programs and personal growth services across Southern California for over two decades. Our mission centers on delivering skills-based, goal-oriented treatments that empower individuals to thrive in their lives while preventing suffering through evidence-based practices. Specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we offer comprehensive outpatient programs for adults, adolescents, and families, supported by a clinical team with 30 years of collective DBT experience. We prioritize accessibility through flexible scheduling, including weekday evenings, weekends, and multiple ongoing skills groups.Beyond direct client care, we serve as a vital community resource by offering professional training, clinical supervision, and customized education programs for mental health professionals, maintaining partnerships with nonprofit organizations to expand DBT availability. Our Sierra Madre location in the San Gabriel Valley serves as a hub for both clinical services and professional development, reflecting our commitment to 'doing what works' through continuous innovation and community collaboration.
Services
DBT Programs
Skills Groups
Professional Training
Clinical Supervision
Continuing Education
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience providing DBT services in Southern California
- Our clinical team holds 30 years of combined DBT expertise
- We offer flexible scheduling with evening and weekend appointments
- We provide professional training for mental health clinicians (CAMFT/NBCC certified)
- We partner with nonprofits to expand DBT accessibility and affordability
Associations and certifications
- CAMFT
- NBCC
Services
DBT Programs
Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy programs for adults and adolescents combine weekly individual therapy sessions with structured skills acquisition. Our evidence-based approach focuses on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness practices to help clients achieve emotional stability and improve quality of life through proven therapeutic techniques.
Skills Groups
Weekly DBT skills groups provide structured learning environments where participants develop practical coping strategies in a supportive setting. These 90-120 minute sessions focus on teaching specific behavioral skills through instructor-led teaching and group practice, helping clients build capabilities in emotional regulation, crisis management, and interpersonal communication while fostering peer support networks.
Professional Training
Continuing education programs for mental health professionals include CAMFT/NBCC-certified courses and customized training solutions for agencies. Our offerings combine theoretical instruction with practical implementation strategies to help clinicians develop and maintain DBT expertise, with specialized programs for staff development and program implementation in various clinical settings.
Clinical Supervision
Expert supervision services guide clinicians and programs implementing or enhancing DBT treatment models. Our supervision framework focuses on treatment adherence, skill development, and program sustainability, providing ongoing support for mental health professionals seeking to maintain certification and improve therapeutic outcomes through regular consultation and quality assurance processes.
Continuing Education
Certified educational programs for California mental health professionals and nurses feature evidence-based curriculum focused on DBT applications. These structured courses meet state licensing requirements while providing practical knowledge that practitioners can immediately apply in clinical settings, with specialized tracks for different professional roles and organizational needs.
People
Patricia Gieselman
Clinical Director
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with DBT-Linehan Board certification, bringing extensive clinical leadership experience in implementing evidence-based mental health treatments across diverse populations.
Karen Loette Snead
Psy.D., MFT
Doctor of Psychology and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with specialized expertise in DBT implementation and clinical supervision for complex mental health cases.
Cathleen Cash
MFT
Experienced Marriage and Family Therapist applying DBT principles to help clients develop emotional regulation skills and improve interpersonal relationships through evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Jennie Lal
MFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with demonstrated success in delivering DBT programs that help clients achieve emotional stability and personal growth through structured therapeutic interventions.
Anna Elise Loprieno
MFT
Certified DBT clinician providing specialized therapeutic services to help clients develop coping strategies and improve quality of life through evidence-based behavioral health interventions.
Questions
What mental health services does Choices specialize in?
Choices specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) programs for adults, adolescents, and families, including skills groups and individual therapy sessions.
Do you offer professional development opportunities for clinicians?
Yes, we provide CAMFT/NBCC-certified continuing education, clinical supervision, and customized training programs for mental health professionals seeking DBT expertise.
What makes your DBT programs unique?
Our programs combine 20+ years of experience with flexible scheduling options, including evening and weekend appointments, and multiple ongoing skills groups to accommodate diverse needs.
Are your services available outside the San Gabriel Valley?
While our Sierra Madre location serves as our primary hub, we provide services throughout Southern California and offer professional training programs with broader reach.
