About DBT Center of the South Bay, Torrance CA

About Us

Our Mission DBT Center of the South Bay is a private group practice of trained Dialectical Behavior Therapists. Our goal is to guide those whose lives are marked by intense emotional suffering toward a life worth living by using evidence-based treatments. We recognize that when life is full of pain, people’s attempts to cope can lead to even worse consequences. DBT helps people find more effective ways to deal with life’s stressors and reduce their own suffering. We strive to find a balance between warm validation and a steadfast focus on changing the behaviors that create problems in clients’ lives.

Kari Barker, M.S., LMFT 39947

DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™

Certified DBT Clinician Kari Barker, LMFT is a DBT-Linehan Board Certification, Certified Clinician™. She is the founder and Director of the DBT Center of the South Bay. Kari is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist who has been working with adults, adolescences, couples, families, and groups for more than 19 years.

Her experience includes working on a specialty program in an in-patient hospital setting, in a school-based setting, a non-profit outpatient community counseling center, and in private practice. Kari is an intensively trained DBT therapist, has had advanced intensive DBT training along with advanced DBT training in treating trauma with Prolonged Exposure therapy by Melanie Harned, PhD, DBT PE Treatment Developer. She has also completed training for the DBT-ACES program with the creator of DBT-ACES, Kate Comtois, Ph.D., MPH. Kari has participated in a 5-day silent mindfulness retreat with Zen Master (Roshi), Marsha Linehan and continues to maintain a daily Mindfulness practice. Kari also has experience and extensive training in working with trauma survivors and dissociation. In addition to providing individual therapy, family therapy, and DBT skills training, Kari offers training, supervision, and consultation to mental health professionals. She has been an invited presenter at local professional organizations, local colleges, and was on a panel of speakers for the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists Annual Conference to discuss her experiences with DBT-LA Network, a consortium of DBT private practitioners, in “DBT in Private Practice: Lessons Learned.” Kari is passionate about DBT and her clients. She approaches treatment with a focus on validating the client’s strengths and helping them to fulfill their potential and to create a life worth living.

Jeannie Rodrigues, M.S., R.N.

Master of Science, Registered Nurse

Jeannie earned her Registered Nursing degree from the Community College of Southern Nevada, and her Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Nursing from the Capella University. She has a passion for helping others. As a registered nurse, Jeannie has been able to combine this passion with her desire to make a difference in people’s lives by understanding the individual health and learning needs of each patient and tailoring her care accordingly. She provides compassionate, quality care and values the importance of patient centered care, and she enjoys working with her team to ensure everyone is receiving the best care possible. Jeannie has experience working in various clinical settings and takes great pride in doing everything she can to assist her patients. Her interest in DBT is to help create positive change and balance so that individuals can try and live life to its fullest.