Chicago's Only Board-Certified DBT Program

Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adults, teens, and families.
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In-Person in Chicago & Virtual Across Illinois.

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One of a select number of DBT-LBC Certified Programs nationwide.

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“Literally lifesaving. I started at DBT Center during the darkest, most seemingly hopeless mental health crisis of my life. I could not imagine my life ever feeling bearable again. 2+ years later, I am happier than I've ever been, with relationships more healthy and fulfilling than I ever thought imaginable.”

Arielle R.

Is DBT the answer for you?

Explore DBT, the transformative therapy designed to foster emotional balance, nurture relationships, and curb harmful behaviors. If any of these resonate, DBT could be your path to transformation.

Emotional Overwhelm

You frequently experience emotions that are intense and overwhelming, making it difficult to function in daily life.

Emotional Numbness

At times, you feel emotionally numb or disconnected from yourself or others.

Relationship Challenges

You struggle to maintain stable relationships, often experiencing intense conflict or fear of abandonment.

Emotional Swings

Your mood or emotions fluctuate rapidly, leaving you feeling like you’re on an emotional roller coaster.

Feeling Misunderstood

You often feel misunderstood or struggle to express your feelings effectively.

Impulsive Behaviors

You engage in impulsive or harmful behaviors, such as substance use, reckless spending, or self-harm.

Self-Image

You often grapple with a sense of inadequacy, occasionally experiencing emptiness or confusion regarding your true self.

What makes us different?

DBT is our specialty—not just one of the therapies we offer.

Our practice is dedicated to delivering high-quality Dialectical Behavior Therapy. As a DBT-LBC certified program, we meet rigorous standards for comprehensive, evidence-based DBT.

DBT-LBC certified program

Clinicians with specialized DBT training

A practice dedicated to DBT

More than individual therapy.

Comprehensive DBT brings together multiple components of treatment to help clients build skills, navigate challenges, and make meaningful changes in their daily lives.

Individual therapy and DBT skills training

Between-session phone coaching

Weekly therapist consultation team

Evidence-based treatment tailored to you.

DBT provides a structured approach to treatment, but your goals, challenges, and circumstances guide how we apply it. We work collaboratively to identify priorities and adapt treatment to your needs.

Collaborative goal setting

Treatment guided by your individual needs

Ongoing assessment of progress

Grounded in research. Focused on real-life change.

DBT is supported by decades of research. We use established treatment strategies to help clients develop practical skills and work toward meaningful, lasting improvements.

Research-supported treatment

Practical skills for everyday challenges

Regular review of treatment goals and progress

Your therapist is supported by an entire team.

Our clinicians participate in a weekly DBT consultation team, working together to maintain treatment fidelity, strengthen clinical decision-making, and provide effective care.

Weekly DBT consultation team

Shared commitment to treatment quality

Compassionate, collaborative approach

Legitimately life changing. Kate and her team are extremely dedicated and caring. I am so grateful to have found them

Stephen H.

June, 2023

As a provider it’s always challenging to find other reputable places to refer to when we have someone who can’t be accommodated by us due to state restrictions with Telehealth. I am ALWAYS looking for practices with certified clinicians on the team, especially in leadership. I wouldn’t hesitate to refer here and appreciate the ease of being able to refer to another comprehensive DBT center but in the Chicago area.

Shaelene L.

September, 2023

DBT Center Chicago provides high-quality, effective, and compassionate treatment. The clinicians are true experts in their field. You can tell that they care about what they are doing and are constantly striving to do better. DBT is a very difficult treatment to deliver, but the clinicians at this center know what they are doing. I would recommend them to anyone!

Anuprit K.

July, 2020

Dr. Sowder is empathetic, passionate, and skilled at what she does. She genuinely cares about the well-being of her clients. I highly recommend DBT Center Chicago for excellent one-on-one DBT therapy and helpful group sessions.

Irene H.

August, 2021

I would highly recommend DBT Center Chicago for DBT in the Chicagoland area. The therapists here are really passionate about what they do and have excellent training and skills. They're also friendly and easygoing. The 24/7 phone coaching is a huge perk, and it shows how much they really care about their clients.