Our Team
The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center of San Diego (DBTCSD) was founded in 2005 by the foremost authority on DBT in Southern California, Dr. Milton Brown. Dr. Brown was mentored for many years by Dr. Marsha Linehan, founder of DBT, which culminated in them jointly conducting DBT research studies and DBT training. Their collaboration continues to this day.
DBTCSD is the clinic in San Diego with the most DBT expertise, as attested to by our our therapists achieving DBT certification and numerous publications on DBT, borderline personality disorder, PTSD, suicidality, self-injury, shame, self-hatred, and other related issues. Dr. Brown provides 10-day intensive trainings for BehavioralTech, which is the current standard training for DBT clinics.
Milton Z. Brown, Ph.D.
Clinic Director
PSY 20785
Founder of DBTCSD in 2005
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Washington, 2002
B.A. in Psychology, Stanford University, 1994
Associate professor at CSPP, Alliant International University
Member – Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
Psychology Today profile
Professional accomplishments – Dr. Brown received intensive DBT training as a student of Marsha Linehan for 10 years and is currently an associate professor at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University, where he trains graduate students in cognitive behavioral therapies, including DBT. He completed his clinical internship at the Veteran Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, where he was trained at the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Dr. Brown provides DBT workshops for mental health professionals across the United States. His areas of expertise include personality disorders, suicidality and self-injury, shame and self-hatred, rejection sensitivity, cognitive-behavior therapy, exposure therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy.
Personal interests – Milton is an avid cyclist and runner, enjoys sailing, goofy comedies, time travel movies, and genealogy. In 2016 and 2018, he rode his bike from Seattle to Portland in one day.
Amanda Gutierrez, Psy.D.
Senior Psychologist
PSY 23873
DBTCSD staff member since 2010
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Azusa Pacific, 2009
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, University of San Diego, 2004
B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, University of San Diego 2002
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – President, San Diego Chapter
Member – American Psychological Association (APA), Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Women’s Association for Addiction Treatment (WAAT)
Professional accomplishments – Dr. Gutierrez is a Linehan Board Certified DBT psychologist. She is currently the senior psychologist, training director, and director of adult services at the DBT Center of San Diego. She received an intensive year long training in DBT and CBT at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Her internship was at Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse New York and completed her post-doctoral fellow ship in the COG/DBT IOP at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital. She also received intensive training in evidence-based treatments for emotion dysregulation disorders, self-injury, addictive behaviors, contingency management, and post traumatic stress disorder. She has experience treating children, adolescents, adults, seniors, and their families. Dr. Gutierrez serves as the San Diego chapter president on the board of directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, offers professional talks around the San Diego area, and leads in the marketing efforts at the DBTCSD. She is fully certified in DBT by the Linehan Board of Certification.
Personal interests – Amanda enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her two beloved rescue dogs. In her spare time she lives a pretty healthy lifestyle and has run over 50 half marathons but has no desire to run a full marathon. She enjoys camping, hiking, trying new restaurants and traveling to new places mainly because she loves staying in hotels.
Kristen Dahlin, Ph.D.
Clinic Psychologist
PSY30126
DBTCSD staff member since 2011
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, CSPP, Alliant International University, 2017
B.A. in Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2007
Recipient of the Fern Miller Memorial Research Scholarship, 2014
Recipient of the F. Joseph McGuigan Research Award, 2017
Member – Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
Professional accomplishments – Dr. Dahlin graduated with Honors (B.A.) from the University of California, Santa Barbara and received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. She specializes in providing CBT and DBT for adolescents and young adults with severe emotion dysregulation problems, including self-harm, chronic suicidality, eating disorders, substance abuse, personality disorders, and severe anxiety disorders. In addition to completing pre-doctoral and post doctoral training at DBTCSD, Dr. Dahlin also previously trained at Vista Balboa Crisis House, Rady Children’s Hospital, and completed an APA-accredited internship working with foster youth at Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families in Camarillo, CA. Her research interests include trauma, dissociation, and interventions for severe emotion dysregulation. Dr. Dahlin has presented findings at national and international conferences and co-authored several book chapters on trauma treatment. Her dissertation, on dissociation in female trauma survivors, was awarded the Fern Miller Memorial Research Scholarship and the F. Joseph McGuigan Research Award.
Personal interests – Kristen loves spending time hiking and snowboarding in the Sierras, hip-hop dancing, binge-watching documentaries on Netflix, cooking vegetarian food, nourishing her podcast addiction, and spending time with friends and family, including her adopted husky, Balto.
Jay Weingarten, Psy.D.
Clinic Psychologist
PSY28756
DBTCSD staff member since 2016
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, 2011
B.S. in Human Development, Family Studies, and Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, 2005
Member – Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
Consultant on wayForward, an app-based program to reduce anxiety and stress.
Professional accomplishments – Dr. Weingarten is the co-founder of an adherent DBT clinic in Manhattan. He also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor for doctoral students at the Teachers College of Columbia University and the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Dr. Weingarten completed his clinical internship at the Manhattan VA Hospital where he received extensive training in individual and group therapy, focusing on treating veterans of all ages struggling with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Substance Use Disorders. Prior to internship, he trained at an adolescent inpatient unit, a college counseling center, and a Bronx, NY based community clinic. Dr. Weingarten’s Doctoral dissertation explored the process of psychological resilience and the factors that contribute to overall well-being following traumatic events, with a focus on Holocaust survivors.
Personal interests – “Dr. Jay” is a fan of basketball, but also enjoys watching and playing many other sports, with the NY Giants, Rangers, Knicks, and Mets holding a special place in his heart. He spent his first 25 summers at a summer camp in the Berkshires and still enjoys hiking, fishing, campfires, and a good prank! He also enjoys music (which is always preferred to hearing him sing) – and reading Tom Robbins’ novels. Jay relocated from NYC to San Diego with his wife, Amanda, who is a neuropsychologist at UCSD.
Dana Jacobs
Clinical Counselor
APCC #9899
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of San Diego, 2021
B.S in Psychology with a Minor in Forensic Psychology, Western Oregon University, 2019
Professional accomplishments – Dana Received a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of San Diego in 2021. During her training at the DBT Center of San Diego, Dana primarily helped our clients with chronic suicidality, emotional dysregulation, and personality disorders. Dana has worked in a variety of other mental health settings, including psychiatric crisis centers, residential and outpatient substance abuse programs, and Mental Health programs within Correctional Facilities.
Personal interests – Dana enjoys time with her friends and family. She is always up for any sport, but her favorite is soccer (she played college soccer). She is often at the beach watching the sunset or in the kitchen trying out new recipes. Dana loves dogs and True Crime shows and is always open to new podcasts.
Rachel Slater, Psy.D.
Clinic Psychologist
DBTCSD staff member since 2021
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, 2020
Professional accomplishments – Rachel Slater received a Psy.D. in school-clinical child psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University in 2020. She completed advanced training at Yale University, School of Medicine, where she treated children, adolescents, and young adults struggling with emotion dysregulation, chronic suicidality, personality disorders, and trauma-related disorders.
Personal interests – Personal Interests – Rachel enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and Labrador Retriever, Cooper. She loves to hike, take fitness classes, and cook, and she is always looking for new shows to watch on Netflix. Rachel recently relocated to San Diego and is on the lookout for new restaurants and outdoor adventures.
Cara Dochat, Ph.D.
Clinic Psychologist
DBTCSD staff member since 2023
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University and the University of California, 2023
Professional accomplishments – Cara Dochat received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in 2023. She specialized in behavioral medicine, focusing on treatment of mood disorders, chronic pain, insomnia, weight management, and smoking cessation. She completed advanced training at the Seattle VA, where she treated adults struggling with emotion dysregulation, chronic suicidality, personality disorders, and trauma-related disorders.
Personal interests – Cara enjoys yoga, hiking, rollerblading, catching sunset at the beach, and laughing with friends and family.
Courtney Gingras, M.A.
Staff Therapist
Professional Clinical Counselor
DBTCSD staff member since 2022
M.A. in clinical mental health counseling, University of San Diego, 2022
B.A. in Linguistics, Gordon College, 2015
Professional accomplishments – Courtney received her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego in 2022. She completed training in the DBT program at South Bay Guidance Center in Chula Vista, helping adult clients with emotional dysregulation, suicidality, and trauma-related disorders. At USD, she led a team providing strength-based counseling with adolescents. Before entering the mental health field, Courtney worked for over 5 years in community development, including teaching ESL, mentoring youth, and helping individuals resettle in the United States, obtaining employment, and connecting with community resources.
Personal interests – Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, friends and two newly adopted cats. She loves hiking and spending time at the beach, going on road trips, and exploring new places. Courtney loves trying new recipes and reading nonfiction books.
Drew
Staff Therapist
DBTCSD staff member since 2023
Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Washington, 2023
Professional accomplishments – Andrew Amabile received a MA/CAGS in school psychology from Northeastern University in 2015 and a Ph.D. in school psychology from the University of Washington in 2023. Andrew is a nationally certified school psychologist and has practiced in rural and urban school districts. He completed advanced training for treating children, adolescents, and emerging adults struggling with emotion dysregulation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidality. He worked across many therapeutic settings including wilderness, community, schools, hospitals, and internationally with the Ecuador Professional Preparation Program. Andrew’s research focuses on mindfulness and emotion regulation among children, adolescents, and young adults.
Personal interests – Andrew enjoys music, climbing, biking, snowboarding, and spending time with his family and friends.
