DBT Institute of Central 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.

08/12/2026

Curious about DBT but not sure what it actually involves?

Join DBT Institute of Central Illinois for our FREE quarterly 1-hour virtual seminar:

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗕𝗧: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘁 𝗜𝘀, 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗜𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 & 𝗜𝘀 𝗜𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂?

This educational session is designed for individuals and families who are considering DBT, have had DBT recommended to them, or simply want to understand the treatment better.

We'll cover:

• What Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) actually is
• Who may benefit from DBT
• Comprehensive DBT vs. DBT-informed therapy
• What individual therapy, skills group & phone coaching involve
• What DBT asks of clients and families
• How to decide whether DBT might be the right fit

We'll also leave time for your general questions about DBT.

📅 Offered quarterly: October 2026 • January 2027 • April 2027 • August 2027
⏰ 12pm-1pm CST
💻 Virtual via Zoom
💙 **FREE to attend**

Choose the upcoming date that works best for you and register here:

https://link.dbtici.com/widget/form/RKp9orTNwx4yRvmXo41l

Not sure whether you're ready for therapy? That's okay. This seminar is about understanding your options—there's no obligation to become a client.

08/10/2026

**Have you ever wanted something badly...but still struggled to follow through?**

You wanted to exercise.

You wanted to stop yelling.

You wanted to practice your coping skills.

You wanted to call the therapist.

You wanted to set healthier boundaries.

So why didn't it happen?

Because **wanting and commitment aren't the same thing.**

Our newest article explores one of the biggest misconceptions about behavior change: believing that wanting something is enough to make it happen.

Inside you'll learn:

✔️ The difference between interest and commitment
✔️ Why good intentions often aren't enough
✔️ How commitment changes the way we approach difficult goals
✔️ A simple exercise to evaluate whether you're acting from desire or commitment

If you've ever wondered why change feels harder than it "should," this article is a great place to begin.

📖 Read Part One: *Wanting vs. Commitment* at https://dbtici.com/blog

**Reflection Question:**
What's one goal where you've been interested—but not yet fully committed?

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

08/04/2026

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."

Over the years, I've learned that this isn't usually a problem of intelligence, insight, or even desire.

Most people WANT to change.

The challenge is that wanting and commitment are not the same thing—and understanding that difference can completely change the way we approach growth.

That's why I'm excited to share a new educational series on the psychology of lasting behavior change.

My hope is that these articles help explain why change can feel so difficult and, more importantly, provide practical, evidence-based strategies you can begin using in your own life.

Swipe through to learn more about the series. I'd love to hear what resonates with you.

08/04/2026

**📢 Why is lasting change so hard?**

Have you ever found yourself saying:

• "This time I'm really going to stick with it."
• "I know what I should do...I just can't seem to keep doing it."
• "I start strong, but eventually fall back into old habits."

If so, you're not alone.

The truth is, most of us were never taught **how lasting behavior change actually happens.** We often believe we need more motivation, stronger willpower, or better self-control.

But science—and years of clinical experience—tell us something different.

Over the next several weeks, we're launching a free educational series called **From Wanting to Commitment**, where we'll explore:

✔️ Why motivation isn't enough
✔️ The difference between wanting change and committing to it
✔️ How habits and identity shape behavior
✔️ Practical ways to become more consistent—even on difficult days
✔️ Simple exercises you can begin using immediately

Whether you're working on your mental health, relationships, parenting, career, or personal goals, these concepts apply to all of us.

Our hope is that this series doesn't just help you understand change—it helps you actually create it.

📖 The introduction is now available, and Part 1 launches soon! Check it out at https://dbtici.com/from-wanting-to-commitment-a-four-part-guide-to-lasting-change

Follow our page so you don't miss the next article.

Maybe you've committed to exercising, practicing coping skills, setting healthier boundaries, improving your relationships, or finally starting therapy. For a few days—or maybe even a few weeks—you feel motivated and hopeful.

07/23/2026

📚 Looking to learn more about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Whether you’re just beginning your DBT journey, currently in therapy, supporting someone you care about, or looking for new ways to strengthen your skills, we’ve put together a curated collection of our favorite DBT books and workbooks.

Inside you’ll find resources for:
✨ Learning the foundations of DBT
🧠 Practicing mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness
👨‍👩‍👧 Parents, teens, adults, and loved ones
📝 Guided workbooks to help you apply DBT skills in everyday life

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to explore our recommended reading list.

Some links are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Your purchase helps support continuing DBT training for our clinicians and expands access to DBT services and education in our community. Thank you for supporting our mission! 💚

06/05/2026

🧠 Why isn't insight always enough?

Many people come to therapy wanting to better understand themselves—and insight is important. But if you've ever found yourself thinking, *"I know why I do this, but I still don't know how to change it,"* you're not alone.

In our newest blog, we explore why DBT-informed therapy can be a powerful alternative to traditional talk therapy. Unlike therapy that focuses primarily on understanding problems, DBT-informed therapy teaches practical skills to help you:

✔ Manage intense emotions
✔ Navigate stress more effectively
✔ Improve relationships
✔ Reduce impulsive reactions
✔ Build a life that feels more meaningful and fulfilling

At DBT Institute of Central Illinois, we believe therapy should help you not only understand your struggles—but also give you tools to move forward.

📖 Read the full blog here: https://dbtici.com/why-traditional-talk-therapy-isnt-always-enoughand-what-works-better-for-lasting-change

📅 We currently have immediate openings for adolescents and adults.

💙 We accept BCBS PPO and Cigna insurance plans.

📞 Ready to get started? Contact us at: https://dbtici.com/contact

05/14/2026

We’re excited to welcome Hannah to our DBT team at the DBT Institute of Central Illinois! 🎉

Hannah has immediate availability to work with children, adolescents and adults. In addition to providing adherent comprehensive DBT therapy, she also enjoys supporting clients with autism, ADHD, neurodivergence, and self-esteem/identity issues. She currently accepts BCBSIL, Aetna, Cigna, and private pay.

If you or someone you know may benefit from therapy, we’d love to connect. Reach out to learn more about availability and scheduling at https://dbtici.com/contact! 🤍