I began my training in DBT as a graduate student at New York University in 1999, working as a research assistant in a treatment program for adolescent girls with eating disorders.  I was struck then by the model’s emphasis on balancing change with acceptance. So often clients begin therapy with the notion that they are broken and need to be fixed, but DBT operates from the premise that for each of us, two things are true:  we are perfect and we need to change.  I like that idea a lot, and have seen it create room for profound improvement in people’s lives. 

Since receiving my degree in 2000, I have continued my training and practice of DBT, including completing part one of the 10-day intensive training. In addition to doing DBT therapy with adults in my private practice, I currently lead a multi-family DBT skills group for suicidal teenagers and their parents through Youth and Family DBT of Seattle.  I am also a member of Dr. Marsha Linehan’s team at the UW, as the co-leader of two skills groups, and as an individual therapist working with heroin addicts.

As a resource for Mapleleaf DBT, I am happy to collaborate with Bob and Noelle, and I am a member of their consult group.  I have a Masters degree in Psychology from New York University, and I am a Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor.   

Lizz Dexter-Mazza, Psy.D.
206.779.1265
lizzmazza@msn.com

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Washington, and provide cognitive behavioral therapy to adolescents, adults, and their families.  I have extensive experience treating a variety of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and relationship issues.  However, my specialty is treating suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors (e.g., cutting, burning) and individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).  In addition to working with individuals, I provide consultation, support, and coaching to family members on how to be most effective when faced with a struggling family member.

I have been conducting DBT for over 9 years in a variety of settings including adolescent and adult outpatient treatments settings in Oregon, New York, and Washington.  In addition to having a private practice in Seattle, I am a trainer for Behavioral Tech, LLC, the company that teaches DBT to counselors and therapists all over the world.  From 2005 until 2007 I served as Clinical Coordinator in Dr. Marsha Linehan’s Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics at the University of Washington.  My work there included providing individual DBT, DBT skills training, and facilitating the Friends and Family group, a group designed to assist people in effectively living with a person with BPD. In addition, I am also al faculty member of the UW Department of Psychology. Through this position, I provide supervision to doctoral psychology students learning DBT in Dr. Linehan’s clinic.

As a fellow member of our consultation team, I work closely with the skills trainers for both Maple Leaf DBT (Bob Goettle and Noelle Mestres) and Youth and Family DBT (Annie McCall and Donna Berry) to ensure our clients are receiving the most effective treatment

Cristina Mullen, MSW, LICSW
(206) 214-6009

Cristina Mullen is licensed in the state of Washington as in Independent Clinical Social Worker since 2001.  She obtained her Masters degree in Social Work in Arizona in 1991 and has been practicing since that time.  Cristina previously specialized in Substance Abuse and was certified by Therapeutic Communities of America.   While Cristina’s training and experience has encompassed work with children, adolescents, and families, she currently focuses with older adolescents and adults, at times incorporating family members.  Her focus is to help clients access their vision of the life they want to live, and to become the architect of that life.

Cristina is trained in Dialectical Behavior therapy, and finds herself integrating concepts from DBT with other behavior therapies in addition to, CBT, Narrative Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, Neurolinguistic Programming and other approaches she has learned over time.  When a client’s problems and diagnosis require full DBT, Cristina provides the individual therapy and refers the client to group therapy from an alternate provider. 

Cristina’s training in DBT includes a 10 day intensive with Dr. Linehan, Dr. Koerner and Dr. Dimeff.  Cristina also completed a nine month Seminar developed and supervised by Dr. Kate Comtois designed to train psychiatry residents at the University of Washington.  In addition she currently is a member of a small team of DBT experts at the Harborview DBT clinic, supervised by Dr. Comtois where she provides individual therapy and group skills training.   Cristina also worked for one year as a research clinician with Dr. Linehan on a research grant modifying DBT for Heroin Addiction.  Cristina also participates in a clinical consult team for her private patients. 

In her private practice Cristina specializes in treating people with dysregulated emotions. This includes people with Borderline Personality Disorder, Bi-Polar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress and relationship issues.  This work often includes a re-discovering of aspects of self and of life that when given energy and attention are an avenue for growth beyond the pain.

Rebecca Schneir, LMFT
www.rebeccaschneir.com
(206) 802-9119

I am a state licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  I specialize in meeting the mental health needs of adolescents, emerging adults, and families. I have extensive experience addressing depression, anxiety, self-harm/suicidality, grief, trauma, relationship issues, educational difficulties, and adjustment concerns.

For the last 3 years, I have been committed to learning and implementing the DBT model.  I am intensively trained in DBT and have experience as a skills facilitator as well as an individual DBT provider.  I am an active member of The Children's Hospital Community DBT Consultation Team and a new member of The Maple Leaf DBT Consult Team.  I have volunteered in the Children's Hospital DBT program in both the Adolescent Skills Group and the Parent DBT Seminar.

Diana Cook, PhD
(425) 744-1750

Diana Cook is a Washington State licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Chemical Dependency Professional, and Clinical Psychologist.

Diana received her PhD from Seattle Pacific University, an MA in Applied Behavioral Science from Bastyr University, an MS in Physical Education/Athletic Administration from Florida State University, a BA in Physical Education from the University of Washington, and Chemical Dependency Certification through Seattle University.

Diana works with individuals, couples, families, and groups focusing on assessment and evaluation, relationship issues, family adjustment, addictions, interpersonal relations, workplace issues, depression and anxiety, and other psychological/psychosocial stressors.

Her approach is best described as cognitive/behavioral - relational within a systems perspective. Diana's doctoral dissertation was focused on emotion regulation, which is a major component of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Diana has attended DBT workshops including basic DBT, DBTS (substance abuse), and DBT skills. Diana works as an individual DBT therapist, helping individuals incorporate skills group training into day-to-day problem solving. She also attends a weekly consult group, sharing information with other therapists and skills trainers, working as a team for the best outcomes for patients/clients.

Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics
Department of Psychology
Box 35125
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-1525
(206) 543-BRTC (2782)
www.brtc.psych.washington.edu

DBT Center of Seattle, PLLC
1218 Third Ave., Suite #500
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 374-0109
www.dbtseattle.com