Amy Tibbitts, LSCSW, is the founder and director of the Lilac Center, LLC in Kansas City, MO. She has been providing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in a private practice setting since October of 2000, and received her 10-day intensive DBT training from Behavioral Tech, LLC, a company founded by Marsha Linehan. She has spoken and provided training to numerous agencies, universities and hospitals on DBT. She has extensive knowledge and seasoned experience in treating people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Above all, Amy understands the personal devastation that people with BPD often experience. She consistently strives to guide individuals and families through their suffering toward a more fulfilling life. Her approach to therapy is based on a fundamental core of compassion, strength and sensitivity. Amy is a 1997 graduate of the University of Kansas and holds a master’s degree in social welfare. She underwent clinical training at Wyandot Mental Health Center. Prior to opening her private practice, Amy provided clinical services at Johnson County Mental Health Center. She is currently authoring a book on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
After graduating from Creighton University with a B.A. in Psychology, Amy moved to Kansas City to complete her graduate work at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Amy graduated summa cum laude with an emphasis in couples and family therapy and mental health. During her training, Amy served as a co-investigator for research projects on such topics as attachment theory, female sexual disorders, the psychological effects of traumatic brain injury and sexual abuse. Amy joined the Lilac Center in 2007 and has since been utilizing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in her work with adults, couples and adolescents. She facilitates an all female adolescent group that teaches DBT, life and coping skills to girls with Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating Disorders, Depression and Bipolar Disorder.
Kindra is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been working with adults, children, and families since 2003. She gained experience at Synergy Services where she began working with women and children suffering from trauma and abuse. She then focused on teens and young adults at Synergy’s residential and outpatient youth programs and as an outpatient therapist for Tri-County Mental Health. Kindra has extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy from Behavioral Tech LLC, as well as from Missouri Department of Mental Health, and is a Certified DBT provider in the state of Missouri. Kindra enjoys helping clients gain the skills to free themselves of their pain and create a life worth living. Kindra runs skills groups for adults, as well as for adolescents and their parents. Kindra is also experienced in attachment therapy techniques, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and expressive therapy techniques.
Susan Brooks-Hart joined Lilac Center in February 2010. After 22 years as a Dental Hygienist (BSDH, University of Missouri at Kansas City), Susan Brooks-Hart studied Social Work at the University of Kansas (MSW, 1993). In 1995, she earned her specialty licenses in Kansas (LSCSW) and Missouri (LCSW). Ms. Brooks-Hart is also a Mediator with certificates from City Hall, Kansas City, Mo. (community/neighborhood mediation) and from the Kansas Bar Association (child custody/visitation). She worked four years providing inpatient and outpatient social services for Menninger in Kansas City, and has been in private practice since 1995. Ms. Brooks-Hart is available for individual, group, family, couple’s therapy and mediation services. She also practices in Lenexa, Kansas.
Sara Wilper is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas with extensive community mental health experience. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Central Missouri, Sara went on to obtain her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri Kansas City. Sara started her career providing in-home services to youth and their families, and has provided outpatient therapy for the last several years to a variety of ages and ethnic backgrounds. After realizing that traditional types of therapy do not always work with youth, she completed her Play Therapy Certification to offer a wider range of services to this population. She is currently in the process of obtaining her EMDR certification to address trauma and other life issues through the use of bi-lateral stimulation. Sara takes a client centered approach to her work and sees the therapeutic relationship as a partnership. She works to improve the well being of individuals and families by providing compassionate and comprehensive behavioral healthcare. Sara welcomes children, teens, families and adults for therapy.
Jen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas with extensive community mental health experience. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rockhurst University, she began her work as a teaching parent in Olathe, Kansas at a girls group home. She then decided to pursue her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. Jen started her career working at Spofford as a family resource specialist, providing individual, family, and group therapy to children in their residential program. Jen’s community mental health experience was during her work as a Clinical Resource Specialist at Crittenton Children’s Center. Jen provided a full range of community and in home services including therapy (family, individual, and group), psychoeducation, clinical case management, crisis management, and parent education. Jen has extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy from Behavioral Tech LLC and from the Missouri Department of Mental Health. She runs DBT skills group for adolescents and their parents. Jen uses a strengths based approach with her clients and is dedicated in helping clients reach their full potential to live a life that is both fulfilling and meaningful.
Dr. Trueblood attended medical school at the University of Kansas and did her residency in general psychiatry at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She practices general psychiatry, but especially enjoys working with individuals with special needs, autism, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, and borderline personality disorder. She lives in the northland with her husband and two children. She is also involved in faith-based counseling through her church, Harmony Vineyard, and is the ministry leader for their Celebrate Recovery program.
Anna is a Licensed Professional Counselor who began her career at the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) after completing her Master's degree at University of Missouri Kansas City. Anna has worked with adults impacted by sexual abuse and assault, as well as parents of children who have been sexually abused. She enjoys providing group and individual therapy, and has had training in DBT from Behavioral Tech LLC and the Missouri Deptartment of Mental Health. Additionally, Anna has been Level II trained by HAP in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Anna is dedicated to helping clients create peace in their lives, and enjoys working with teens and adults.
Kathy is the first friendly face you’ll see when you come in the front door! She has years of medical billing experience and will help with scheduling appointments, health insurance paperwork and any detail you might need.
*All Lilac Center Providers are Independent Contractors.