Lilac Center

09/16/2025

Take Steps Toward Healing 💜

Our new book, Treating Trauma with DBT, is now available for pre-order! Learn practical DBT strategies to manage difficult emotions, build resilience, and move forward after trauma.

Whether for yourself or a loved one, this book gives clear, actionable tools to support real healing.

Pre-order the Kindle now: https://a.co/d/a19sdfA

Print and audio versions coming soon!

Need extra support? Lilac Center offers in-person care and teletherapy to guide you on your recovery journey: http://www.lilaccenter.org | 816-221-0305 ext. 1

08/01/2025

Now Offering Walk-In Therapy Intake Appointments – Thursdays in our Topeka, KS location.

The Lilac Center – Topeka is now providing walk-in Therapy intake appointments every Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. These same-day intake sessions are available for new clients seeking timely access to mental health services.

Location: Lilac Center – Topeka 3630 SW Burlingame Rd. Topeka, KS 66611.
Hours: Thursdays, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Please bring: A valid photo ID and your insurance card
Note: Same-day medication management appointments are not available.

We look forward to supporting you with compassionate, evidence-based care. No appointment is required for intake—just walk in.

07/22/2025

Now Welcoming Clients in Topeka

We’re excited to introduce the newest member of the Lilac Center team — Rebecca "Becky" Lagger-Dyar, PMHNP. Becky is a compassionate and experienced Family Nurse Practitioner now seeing clients in our Topeka, KS location.

With a Master’s degree from UMKC and years of experience in general practice, Becky brings a holistic, client-centered approach to mental health care. She has a deep passion for supporting individuals facing emotional dysregulation and complex mental health conditions, and she works closely with our DBT therapists to ensure coordinated, integrated care.

Becky also brings valuable experience serving underserved populations through her work with the Mobile Integrated Health program at Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.

Whether you're looking to explore medication management, stabilize your mental health, or complement your therapy with medical support, Becky is here to help.

Now accepting new clients!
Schedule your appointment today at www.lilaccenter.org
Or give Andrea a call for questions or help to schedule: (785) 251-0835

06/20/2025

Calling Future Therapists!

The Lilac Center Fellowship Program is now accepting applications!

This paid post-grad opportunity offers:
• Comprehensive DBT training
• Hands-on clinical experience
• Supervision for licensure
• A supportive, mission-driven team

Whether you're just graduating or looking for a place to grow, we’re here to help launch your career.

Apply now at www.lilaccenter.org/fellowship

Space is limited — don’t wait!

05/05/2025

Now Offering Medication Management Services!

We’re thrilled to expand our services to include psychiatric medication management, providing more comprehensive, high-quality mental health care for our clients.

Meet Our Providers:
Mission, KS – Ashley Stutzman, PMHNP
Topeka, KS – Becky Lagger-Dyar, PMHNP

Both providers bring years of experience and are credentialed with most major insurance plans, including:

* Aetna
* Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
* Kansas Medicaid
* ...and more being added weekly

At The Lilac Center, we believe that pairing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with medication management offers a holistic, evidence-based approach to treating complex mental health challenges. For many clients, this combination supports greater emotional stability, symptom relief, and long-term wellness.

We’re proud to continue meeting the evolving needs of our community.

To schedule an appointment or refer a client:
Call 816-221-0305 or visit http://www.lilaccenter.org to book online.

02/21/2025

Watch Amy Tibbitts and Morgan Schmitz from Lilac Center, discuss the youth mental health crisis on Inspire, a PBS show on KTWU in Topeka, KS. They explore how anxiety, depression, and self-harm are rising among our youth and how tools like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can offer hope.

We discuss the struggles that today's youth are experiencing with anxiety, depression and self-doubt

11/05/2024

https://studyfinds.org/relieve-election-day-anxiety/

StudyFinds' Dr. Faith Coleman reveals 5 tools for coping with your share of the nation's collective election anxiety.

06/13/2024

At Lilac Center, we celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and the vibrant spirit of Pride month! 🏳️‍🌈

June is a time to honor and support the LGBTQ+ community, promoting love, equality, and acceptance for all. 🌟 Whether you're navigating personal growth, relationships, or mental health challenges, our team is here to provide compassionate support and guidance.

We're committed to creating a safe and affirming space where everyone can feel understood, respected, and valued. 🌈 Let's continue to foster a community where everyone can thrive authentically and proudly.

Happy Pride month from all of us at Lilac Center! 🌷 +

06/04/2024

https://studyfinds.org/lifestyle-medicine/

StudyFinds' Dr. Faith Coleman reveals the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine that are making people healthier by changing their daily habits.

01/05/2024

https://www.lilaccenter.org/blog/key-benefits-of-an-iop

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a well-established and highly effective treatment approach that has been proven to help individuals struggling with a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges. The Lilac Center, a leading mental health facility, offers an Intensive Outpatient Program (I

09/22/2023

Halt Overwhelming Emotions: Mastering the DBT Skill 'STOP'

Ready to put the brakes on intense emotions? Unveil a potent technique from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) that empowers you to regain control. Step into the realm of 'STOP' and discover how this simple yet powerful strategy can help you navigate emotional storms.

Life's challenges can stir up overwhelming emotions, making us feel like we're losing our footing. DBT's 'STOP' skill offers a concise and effective way to hit pause on the emotional rollercoaster and regain your composure.

Unlock the Power of STOP:
'STOP' stands for Stop, Take a Breath, Observe, and Proceed Mindfully. By practicing these steps, you create a space for reflection, allowing you to respond to situations with greater awareness and intention.

Try This STOP Technique:
1. Stop: When you sense your emotions intensifying, pause whatever you're doing. Give yourself permission to step away from the situation briefly.

2. Take a Breath: Take a deep, calming breath. Feel the sensation of the breath filling your lungs and then exhaling slowly.

3. Observe: Shift your focus inward. Notice the emotions you're experiencing without judgment. Observe the sensations, thoughts, and feelings.

4. Proceed Mindfully: Once you've centered yourself, proceed with mindfulness. Decide how you want to respond to the situation rather than reacting impulsively.

Ready to Start Your Mindful Journey?

Empower yourself with DBT's STOP skill. Connect with Lilac Center at 816-221-0305 or www.lilaccenter.org to learn more about our DBT programs and how we can support your growth.

STOP is your ally in the face of emotional turmoil. With practice, it becomes a reliable tool for cultivating emotional resilience and thoughtful responses. Share your experiences with the STOP technique in the comments below and inspire others to embrace emotional well-being.

09/20/2023

Unlock Clarity and Calm with DBT's OBSERVE Skill!

Experience the power of the OBSERVE skill from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as you embark on a journey of mindfulness and self-awareness.

What is the OBSERVE Skill?

OBSERVE is a cornerstone of mindfulness, teaching you to be fully present in the moment, observe your surroundings, thoughts, and emotions without judgment:

O- Observe: Notice and take in the details of your environment.
B - Be in the Moment: Focus your attention on the present, releasing worries about the past or future.
S - Sensations: Tune into your physical sensations, from the breeze on your skin to the beating of your heart.
E- Emotions: Acknowledge and label your feelings without getting swept away by them.
R- Quiet the Mind: Gently redirect your mind from wandering thoughts, allowing them to come and go without attachment.
V- Values: Reflect on your personal values and how they relate to your current experience.
E- Experiences: Embrace your experiences as they unfold, without judgment or evaluation.

Experience the Benefits of OBSERVE

Reduced Stress: OBSERVE guides you away from stressors by grounding you in the present, where worries hold no power.

Enhanced Self-Awareness: Dive deep into your emotions and sensations, fostering a profound understanding of yourself.

Improved Focus: OBSERVE hones your focus, amplifying your concentration and productivity.

Emotional Balance: By observing without judgment, you cultivate emotional resilience and balance.

Discover the gift of OBSERVE for yourself:

1. Begin Mindfully: Choose moments to engage OBSERVE throughout your day – during walks, meals, or quiet pauses.

2. Practice Patience: Like any skill, mastery comes with practice. Be patient as you build the ability to observe without judgment.

3. Journal Your Insights: Keep a journal to jot down your observations and reflections, deepening your self-awareness.

Share Your Journey!

Join the DBT community in celebrating mindfulness and self-awareness. Share your OBSERVE experiences in the comments below and inspire others on their paths to mindfulness.

Ready to Start Your Mindful Journey?

Empower yourself with DBT's OBSERVE skill. Connect with Lilac Center at 816-221-0305 or www.lilaccenter.org to learn more about our DBT programs and how we can support your growth.

Experience the serenity and empowerment of living in the moment with OBSERVE. Begin your journey towards mindfulness and emotional well-being today.