Arlene Bagain Rivera, MS

Arlene Bagain Rivera earned her Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University. In 2017, she received Foundational Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) treatment from Marsha Linehan's Institute, Behavioral Tech, LLC. in Seattle, WA. Arlene is fully trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy through the EMDR Institute, which was founded by the developer of EMDR Therapy, Francine Shapiro, Arlene is currently working towards EMDR Certification.

Arlene worked in a variety of therapeutic settings since 2008 and gained her experience in both community-based residential and outpatient counseling agencies, including Walden House's Project Sister Kin Program for at-risk youth in San Francisco, CA and Women's Recovery Association for women presenting with dual diagnoses (mental health and substance dependence issues) in Burlingame, CA. She obtained a majority of her training and post-graduate hours through her internship and employment with Pyramid Alternatives, Inc. (now known as StarVista), a non-profit organization serving the northern region of San Mateo County, CA. Arlene worked with adult individuals presenting with a variety of mood and behavioral issues, such recovering from substance dependence, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief and loss, trauma, low self-esteem, low impulse control, and developmental and physical disabilities. Early in her career, Arlene earned the position of Recovery Services Division Assistant Manager at Pyramid Alternatives, Inc., successfully overseeing the agency’s largest clinical program for court-mandated clients and managing a team of clinicians for over 4 years while simultaneously providing individual threapy and both process and psychoeducation group services in Daly City, San Bruno, and Half Moon Bay.

Arlene has been in private practice since 2017. Currently working remotely, she serves California residents residing in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties. She facilitates a Comprehensive Adult DBT Program and uses EMDR Therapy with her clients. She specializes in working with persons who present with Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, complex trauma, childhood abuse and neglect, attachment issues, and persons struggling with emotion regulation who are motivated, ready, and willing to work hard to make signficant changes in their lives.

Arlene operates from a client-centered and strength-based approach, firmly believing that all individuals possess the abilities needed to achieve their goals and build a life that is meaningful and worth living to them. Arlene’s warm, compassionate, nurturing, and energetic style fosters a safe and comfortable environment where individuals can recover, heal, and grow.

From advanced DBT training and witnessing the effectiveness of DBT skills and its practice in daily life, Arlene is dedicated to teaching her clients DBT skills so they may obtain the best quality of life possible. From her training and experience using EMDR Therapy, individuals who were once burdened by their past can now live fully in the present. She feels excited, inspired, and honored to witness the courage she sees in those she works with and their innate abilities to heal and be larger than their past experiences.

When Arlene is not working, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, especially her husband and German Shepherd fur baby, and traveling to destinations with warm weather overlooking the ocean or lake. She's also an avid powerlifter.