Our Team
Tara has been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by Alan Fruzzetti, PhD and intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior therapy, Prolonged Exposure (DBT+PE) by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., Melanie Harned, Ph.D., and Kathryn Korslund, Ph.D., Prolonged Exposure by Edna Foa, PhD and an Advanced Intensive in DBT+PE, by Melanie Harned, Ph.D., and Kathryn Korslund, Ph.D. She has completed an intensive OCD training through the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute. In addition, Tara has attended several one to two day workshops for DBT, ACT, and CBT. She provides individual and group DBT, as well as individual CBT, EX/RP, Behavioral Activation, and Prolonged Exposure. She also provides DBT training/presentations at local agencies.
Tara has worked for a group practice specializing in DBT and provided comprehensive DBT, which included individual therapy, DBT skills group for adults and adolescents, in-between session coaching calls, and participating in a weekly DBT consultation team meeting. In addition, she facilitated DBT skills group at several drug and alcohol treatment facilities and provided individual therapy. Tara was a primary therapist at a drug and alcohol treatment facility specializing in co-occurring disorders in which she utilized CBT and DBT. Tara began treating clients as a therapist at an outpatient community where she provided individual and group therapy in the women’s drug and alcohol program and also led an outpatient domestic violence program, while also providing workshops at several non-profit centers in the community.
Tara received her Master’s degree in Psychology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and is pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She is the first DBT Linehan Board Certification, certified clinician in Orange County, CA. Tara is a member of the International OCD Foundation, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Several years ago, the mountains “called” and Tara listened. Since then she is an avid hiker, peak bagger, and backpacker. Tara tries to balance a life with adventure with family, friends, and her work.
Lynn Farrell, M.Ed., MA, LMFT, Clinical Director
Lynn Farrell, Clinical Director and DBT/ CBT clinician, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University in 2014. She obtained her foundational DBT training, in addition to other related DBT training from Dr. Marsha Linehan’s company Behavioral Tech and Treatment Implementation Collaborative. She was trained in the DBT Prolonged Exposure Protocol for PTSD (DBT+PE), by protocol developer, Dr. Melanie Harned. She is currently working on DBT Linehan Board Certification.
Lynn sees individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and children here at the center, as well as facilitating DBT skills groups and DBT Multi-family Groups. A former special education teacher, Lynn also has a master’s degree in education, and appreciates that she gets to put it to good use, teaching skills to center clients. Prior to licensure, Lynn worked for 11.5 years as a behavior interventionist at an autism treatment company. Continuing to help individuals and families impacted by autism, now through psychotherapy, remains a passion.
Lynn enjoys attending the annual International Society for the Improvement and Teaching of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (ISITDBT) Conference held in a different city each year, which allows her to further her understanding of the latest DBT research and advancements in the field. During her free time, she enjoys music and the arts, mindfulness, reading, hanging out with friends, and her pug Percy.
Linda Dimeff, PhD, Expert DBT Consultant
Linda serves as the Institute Director of Portland DBT Institute, Inc. and Chief Scientific Officer at Evidence-Based Practice Institute. Linda was trained and supervised by Dr. Linehan and is a DBT expert clinician, consultant, and supervisor with a specialty expertise for DBT for Substance Abusers. Linda is the 2011 recipient of the ISITDBT Cindy J. Sanderson Outstanding Educator Award. She is a standing member of the Mental Health Services Research grant review committee for the National Institute of Mental Health and is Adjunct Clinical Faculty at the University of Washington.
Our team currently meets with Linda twice a month for case consultation. Linda reviews videotaped sessions of our team members and provides feedback to ensure we are providing quality DBT treatment.
Kimberly De La Vega, LMFT 125331
Kimberly is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Kimberly received her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Azusa Pacific University in 2017. Kimberly has been practicing therapy since 2015 and has experience working with adults, children, teens, couples, elderly, and families. She has extensive background in working with crisis and intensive outpatient programs. Kimberly began working with the Center for EBT in May 2021. Kimberly provides individual therapy, provides in between session phone coaching, helps facilitate skills group, and participates in a weekly consultation meeting with fellow DBT clinicians. As a therapist, Kimberly brings relatability, equality, and humor into working with her clients. Kimberly’s goal is to help clients achieve a life worth living.
Julian, Therapy Assistant
We are a group of independent practioners.