Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Tibbitts.
Hi Amy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The Lilac Center’s story really began when Amy unexpectedly fell into working with clients who needed something different. She was seeing overflow clients from another agency to make some extra money, and she soon realized many of them were struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder. She wanted to give them the best help she could, so she started looking for an approach that actually worked with this population. That search led her to Marsha Linehan’s book on Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Amy immediately connected with the clear structure and practical skills in DBT. She started using the skills with her clients, and before long she noticed that they were actually getting better. Their progress caught the attention of a commercial insurance company. They approached her and asked if she would consider building a DBT program they could refer clients to.
Amy was excited about the chance to create something meaningful. She reached out to colleagues and together they built a full DBT program. They put together individual therapy, DBT groups, a consultation team for therapists, and a coaching protocol for clients. When the program launched, 20 clients agreed to participate for a full year. All 20 completed the program, and the results were incredible.
That first group and the success they had became the beginning of the Lilac Center. What started with a simple desire to help clients feel better grew into a full program and eventually a place dedicated to offering compassionate and effective care for the community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As the Lilac Center grew, it faced a number of challenges that tested both its mission and its business operations. One of the biggest hurdles was managing growth while staying true to the quality of care that had made the program successful. Expanding to multiple locations, offering more programs, and serving more clients required careful planning, financial oversight, and constant attention to the needs of both clients and staff. Balancing growth with the center’s commitment to compassionate, effective care was never easy.
Navigating the world of commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid added another layer of complexity. Each system comes with its own rules, documentation requirements, and billing processes, and keeping up with changing regulations has been an ongoing challenge. Ensuring that clients can access care while also keeping the business sustainable has required persistence, attention to detail, and a lot of learning along the way.
Recruiting and retaining high-quality clinical staff has been another major challenge. Working with clients who struggle with intense emotions and complex diagnoses is incredibly rewarding, but it is also demanding and can lead to burnout if staff are not supported. Finding therapists who are skilled, compassionate, and committed to the population the Lilac Center serves has taken effort, patience, and creative solutions to make the work environment sustainable and fulfilling.
Despite these challenges, the Lilac Center has continued to grow and thrive. Each obstacle has strengthened the organization’s systems and deepened its commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care to clients who need it most. The journey has not been easy, but it has reinforced the importance of building a team and a program that truly put clients first.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Lilac Center is a mental health organization dedicated to helping individuals build lives worth living through evidence-based therapy and compassionate care. We specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), offering individual therapy, skills training groups, and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) designed to support clients struggling with emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, trauma, and self-destructive behaviors.
What sets us apart is our deep commitment to combining clinical rigor with genuine human connection. We don’t just provide therapy—we teach skills, offer coaching, and create a strong support network for clients and their families. Our programs are structured and measurable, but they are also personalized and practical, helping clients apply the skills they learn to real life.
We are especially proud of our success in working with challenging populations who have often struggled to find effective treatment elsewhere. Many of our clients complete year-long programs with measurable improvements in emotional regulation, relationships, and overall functioning. Our brand represents hope, consistency, and a safe place to grow.
For anyone learning about the Lilac Center, we want readers to know that we are committed to making therapy accessible, effective, and meaningful. We are a place where clients are met with understanding, supported with proven tools, and empowered to make lasting changes in their lives.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with the Lilac Center in several ways. For clients, we offer individual therapy, DBT skills groups, and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) that provide structured, evidence-based support for emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and personal growth. Referring professionals, schools, and community organizations can collaborate with us by connecting clients to our programs or partnering on outreach and educational initiatives.
We also welcome opportunities to collaborate with other mental health providers, agencies, and community organizations on projects that expand access to care, provide training, or support individuals in need.
For those who want to support our work, there are ways to get involved through advocacy, sharing information about our services, or supporting community initiatives that promote mental health awareness. Every partnership and referral helps us reach more people who can benefit from DBT and our other services.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lilaccenter.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilacCenter
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lilac-center
