The Wright Institute Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic

The Wright Institute Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic

The Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic provides individual and group therapy using well-researched methods that have been shown to be effective for a variety of challenges. We offer sliding scale, low fee therapy. Our clinic is a training program of The Wright Institute and is staffed by student clinicians pursuing their clinical doctoral degree. Clinicians receive training and supervision from licensed psychologists. Our mission is to offer affordable and effective treatments to underserved members of our diverse community.

Clinicians work with clients on issues such as:

  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Emotion dysregulation/Challenging emotions
  • Anger
  • Trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Chronic interpersonal problems

The following difficulties require specialized training and unfortunately we cannot treat them:

  • Eating disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Extreme hoarding

In determining whether our services and service delivery can be a match for client needs, we assess a number of areas within our multi-stepped intake process. Our clinic is a training clinic, and our student clinicians are learning as they go. While they are receiving ongoing training and supervision to ensure quality services, there are limitations to whom we can serve. The intake process may lead us to determine that our services are not a good match to client's needs. In these cases, we will make every effort to provide appropriate referrals.

Group Therapy Offerings

We offer groups with an emphasis on teaching new coping skills. Groups are offered throughout the year; please call for information about initial intake and enrollment. Below are brief description of each of our current groups:
The Wright Institute Berkeley CBT Clinic
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Group

DBT is a cognitive behavioral treatment that has shown to be effective in treating a wide range of concerns related to interpersonal difficulties, emotion regulation, and coping skill deficits. The program consists of four modules of behavioral skills: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Each 10-week module is run like a class where the group leaders teach skills and assign homework to help you practice incorporating your learning in your everyday life. Please be aware that to participate in this group you must be working with an individual therapist.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Group for Race-Based Stress (RBS)

The Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT) Group for race-based stress (RBS) consists of four modules of behavioral skills, including: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness, with a focus on reducing feelings of distress related to racial discrimination experienced in various contexts, including but not limited to the twin pandemics of racialized violence and COVID-19. The first three modules are 10-weeks, and each module is focused on learning a set of skills, introduced and led by group leaders. The group leaders will assign homework to strengthen your practice of the skill in everyday life. The first module begins the week of September 27. Classes are held in the evenings via Zoom.

DBT for RBS is open to persons identifying as Black or African American, Indigenous, and Peoples of Color. To learn more about the group, please call our intake line. Please be aware that to participate in this group you must be working with an individual therapist. To learn more about individual therapy services at the CBT Clinic, please call and leave a voicemail at (510) 923-2241 and include times you are free for a return call. Our intake coordinator will call you to answer any questions you may have and conduct a brief phone screening before scheduling your intake. Please see “Contact Us” at the bottom of this website for additional information.

Emotion Efficacy Therapy (EET)/Managing Challenging Emotions

This 8-week program includes learning skills to become more effective in how you respond to your emotions, learning to experience strong emotions rather than being overwhelmed or controlled by them, and developing a new relationship with your emotions. This group also helps you identify your core values and learn to act on them in the "moment of choice," rather than acting on what your emotions tell you to do. This group will help you learn strategies to dial down your emotions even when they are very intense. All these skills will empower you to experience and respond to emotions in a way that will help you live a life more aligned with your values. This group includes experiential contact with emotions and we may require that you are working with an individual therapist before approving participation in this group.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

This 8-week program integrates mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and gentle movement practices to assist people with a variety of life difficulties. You will learn ways to increase joy and gratitude, create more balance in your life, and cope with stress.

Queer Affinity Skills Based Group

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a cognitive behavioral treatment that emphasizes being in the present moment, accepting what is outside our personal control, and committing to values-based actions. Our current group is open to anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+, including those who are unsure/questioning their gender or sexual orientation.

Each 8-week module includes teaching skills, experiential learning, and homework to help you practice being present, being open, and doing what matters. To participate in this group it is not required to have an individual therapist; although, it is encouraged.

Fees

The Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic offers services on a sliding scale. Fees are based on income and family size and range from $20 - $70 per session.* The group rate is $12 per session. The initial intake session for all new and returning clients is a non-refundable flat fee of $30. The BCBTC does not currently accept Medi-Cal insurance.

* Lower fees are considered and can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Contact Us

Please call and leave a voicemail at (510) 923-2241 and provide us with times you are free for a return call. Our intake coordinator will call you to answer any questions you may have and conduct a brief phone screening before scheduling your intake. Please note, we do not offer walk-in appointments and we do not communicate via email or text. We can only offer a voicemail system at this time.