DBT Institute of Central Illinois

10/08/2026

Missed a day? Plot twist: you’re allowed to come back.

This is the practice.

Commitment is not demonstrated by never getting off track. It is demonstrated by what you do after you notice that you have.

You can criticize yourself, abandon the goal, or decide the attempt no longer counts.

Or you can return.

Beginning again is not starting over. It is another repetition of the exact skill you are trying to build.

Return today. That counts.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: You remain a person worthy of progress even after missing Tuesday.

10/08/2026

I’m looking forward to presenting at the 9th Annual McLean County Behavioral Health Coordination Forum: “In Full Bloom” on October 29th at the ISU Bone Student Center! 🌿

My session, “Helping Clients Build and Sustain Commitment in Therapy,” will be from 10:30–11:40 AM and will focus on practical strategies for helping clients move from wanting change to actively committing to the behaviors that make change possible.

There will be a great lineup of presentations for behavioral health professionals throughout the day. If you’re a clinician in the area, come join us!

10/06/2026

Looking for an affordable way to learn DBT skills? 🌿

DBTICI offers a 𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗳𝗲𝗲/𝗻𝗼-𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗗𝗕𝗧 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟱:𝟭𝟱–6:𝟰𝟱 𝗣𝗠, designed to make structured DBT skills training more accessible.

We also offer additional Adult DBT Skills Groups on Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as our Adolescent & Multi-Family DBT Skills Group for teens and caregivers.

Learn practical skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress, navigating relationships, and responding more effectively when life gets difficult.

Interested in joining a group? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to find the right fit.

🌿 Learn more about our groups: dbtici.com/dbt-group
📅 Schedule a free consultation: https://dbtici.com/appointment-request

10/06/2026

When your teen is struggling, knowing where to start can be hard. DBTICI offers adolescent therapy, comprehensive DBT, and parent coaching to help families navigate intense emotions and build practical skills.

Meet with us in downtown Bloomington or virtually across Illinois. Explore our teen therapy options and schedule a free 15-minute consultation:
https://dbtici.com/adolescent-therapy

10/01/2026

Today is Day 1 of our 30-Day Commitment Practice.

Your first step is not to overhaul your life. It is to choose one meaningful commitment.

Ask yourself:

What matters to me?
What behavior would move me toward it?
What is one action I can repeat over the next 30 days?

Make the commitment specific enough that you can recognize when you have practiced it.

And remember: the goal is not to complete 30 perfect days. The goal is to strengthen your ability to notice, learn, adjust, and return.

Haven’t downloaded the workbook yet? You can still join us through the link in our bio.

What are you committing to practice?

09/25/2026

One of the most common things I hear in therapy is:

“I know what I need to do. I just can’t seem to stick with it."

That struggle is rarely caused by a lack of insight or desire. Most people genuinely want their lives to be different. The challenge is learning how to translate that desire into repeated, effective action—especially when motivation fades or life becomes difficult.

That is why I created the *𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘* Progress Over Perfection: 30-Day Commitment Practice.

The workbook combines behavioral science, DBT skills, values exercises, and 30 days of guided reflection to help you choose one meaningful commitment and practice returning to it.

Not perfectly. Consistently.

We’ll begin the 30-day practice together on October 1. You can also begin whenever the timing is right for you.

Download the free workbook through the link in the comments below!

What is one commitment you would like to practice over the next 30 days?

08/31/2026

**Willpower is overrated.**

Your environment influences your behavior far more than most people realize.

Think about it.

Is healthy food easy to reach?

Is your phone always nearby?

Do your routines support your goals—or compete with them?

In the final article of our *From Wanting to Commitment* series, we explore how to design your life so that healthy choices become easier and more automatic.

You'll learn:

✔️ Why environment matters
✔️ How to remove barriers to success
✔️ Ways to make healthy behaviors more convenient
✔️ A practical home and schedule audit you can complete this week

Sometimes the easiest way to change yourself...

is to change your environment.

📖 Read Part Four: Building a Life That Makes Commitment Easier at https://dbtici.com/blog

What's one small change you could make to your environment this week?

Read the latest blog posts written by the therapists at DBT Institute of Central Illinois. Contact them for professional counseling in Illinois.

08/24/2026

**What if lasting change isn't about changing your habits first...but changing your identity?**

Many people focus on outcomes.

"I want to lose weight."

"I want less anxiety."

"I want healthier relationships."

But sustainable change happens when we begin asking a different question:

**"What would the person I want to become do next?"**

In Part Three of our series, you'll learn how small daily choices shape identity—and why every action becomes evidence for the kind of person you're becoming.

You'll also find a practical exercise to help you begin building self-trust one small promise at a time.

📖 Read Part Three: Becoming the Kind of Person Who Follows Through at https://dbtici.com/blog

What's one quality you'd like your future self to be known for?

Read the latest blog posts written by the therapists at DBT Institute of Central Illinois. Contact them for professional counseling in Illinois.

08/18/2026

We’re excited to share that Avery is currently accepting new clients at a 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲, creating another affordable option for individuals and families seeking therapy at DBT Institute of Central Illinois.

Avery is a third-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He has experience working with children, teens, and young adults in university and community settings.

Avery brings a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental approach to therapy. He especially enjoys working with young people navigating:

• Stress and overwhelm
• Big or difficult-to-manage emotions
• Attention and concentration challenges
• Changes in mood or motivation
• Challenges at home, school, or in relationships

Sliding scale openings are currently available with Avery. This can be a great option for families looking for quality therapy at a more affordable out-of-pocket rate.

Interested in learning whether Avery may be a good fit? Contact DBT Institute of Central Illinois or schedule a free consultation to get started.

https://dbtici.com/contact

08/17/2026

*Waiting until you feel motivated may be the very thing keeping you stuck.*

One of the biggest myths about behavior change is that successful people simply have more motivation.

They don't.

Their motivation disappears too.

The difference is that they have systems that keep them moving when motivation is gone.

In Part Two of our *From Wanting to Commitment* series, we explore:

✔️ Why motivation naturally comes and goes
✔️ Why relying on feelings leads to inconsistent progress
✔️ How routines and small systems create lasting change
✔️ One practical strategy you can use this week

You don't need to feel inspired every day.

You need a plan for the days you don't.

📖 Read Part Two: Why Motivation Fails (and What Works Instead) at https://dbtici.com/blog

**Question:**
When do you find your motivation disappears most?

Read the latest blog posts written by the therapists at DBT Institute of Central Illinois. Contact them for professional counseling in Illinois.