About Me

Arlene Bagain Rivera, LPCC 2587

I’m a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC #2587, offering a virtual comprehensive Adult DBT program for California residents. My work is grounded in the belief that when people have the right skills, support, and structure, they can create meaningful and lasting change in their lives.

My clinical career began in 2009 in addiction treatment, where I saw how emotional intensity, stress, and long‑standing coping patterns often shape the way people move through the world. That experience led me to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — an evidence-based model that offered clients something essential: practical skills, emotional regulation tools, and a clear framework for building stability from the inside out.

Over the years, I’ve worked with many high‑functioning adults who appear steady and capable externally but privately struggle with anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, self‑criticism, or patterns they can’t seem to shift. Again and again, DBT became the turning point. When my clients complete the full DBT program, they often share that it’s the first time they’ve felt genuinely equipped to understand and manage their emotions, communicate their needs, and navigate stress without shutting down or spiraling. Some say DBT has saved their life.

Because DBT builds such a strong foundation, many clients naturally reach a place where they feel ready — sometimes for the first time — to explore deeper healing. For those who want to continue, I offer EMDR therapy as a next step once DBT skills have created enough internal steadiness to approach trauma work safely and sustainably.

My style is warm, collaborative, and attuned. I help you understand the “why” behind your patterns while teaching you DBT skills that support clarity, steadiness, and emotional regulation in daily life. Therapy with me is paced and responsive to your nervous system — we move in a way that feels safe, grounded, and sustainable. I accept you as you are and I gently challenge you when needed.

At the heart of my work is a simple belief: when you have a supportive therapeutic relationship, evidence‑based skills, and a space where all parts of you are welcome, real change becomes possible.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, golf, reading, and time with family, friends, my husband, and our 8‑year‑old German Shepherd rescue. I value a grounded, balanced life and believe deeply in sustainable self‑care — the kind that supports both joy and steadiness.

If you’re ready to begin this work, I welcome you to reach out.