The Oak Center for DBT & Counseling Services

04/28/2026

Our very own Brighton Sanchez participated in The Center Project's "Ask a Doctor, Tell a Doctor" this past weekend. Local trans-affirming healthcare professionals lead a Q&A event that covered topics such as the current state of trans healthcare in Missouri and how to get connected to affirming healthcare. For information on future events, follow The Center Project.

01/23/2026

Parents, are you looking for ideas, tools, or support while navigating raising your young people? Your Parent Compass, our 8-week education and support group, was made for you! Go to our website for more details and to sign up. Classes start next week, so now is the time to get your family headed in a smoother direction for 2026.

01/21/2026

The Oak Center is thrilled to be offering the Your Parent Compass course again this spring! This 8-week education and support group is for parents or caregivers of children aged 10-30. Weekly 90-minute sessions focus on DBT-based skills to help guide parents through tough moments and meaningful memories alike. We offer both in-person and virtual sessions for convenience.

Sign up or find more information below. Don't hesitate, because sessions start next week! Know someone else who could use this information? Share the love!

We look forward to the opportunity to build skills and community together!

The Your Parent Compass curriculum was developed by Nancy Cohen, PhD and Tracy Kalloway, MA, LPC, DBT-LBC™. This course, which is rooted in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is designed to help parents of teens, tweens, and young adults who are struggling with various behavioral, environmental a

01/13/2026

Wanna rep The Oak Center? We have merch! 👕 Click the link below to explore the available options!

Online ordering for The Oak Center

01/12/2026

Peer Support for Parents? Yes, please! We're offering our free parent support group the first Monday of every month! This group is open to any parent who's child has completed or is currently enrolled in Multifamily Skills Group. Advanced registration is required, so click the link to sign up today!

Connect with other DBT parents, support one other and find a community of parents who understand. This free, peer-led support group will occur the first Monday of the month, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m, in The Branch. Monday, February 2nd, 2026 Monday, March 2nd, 2026 Monday, April 6th, 20

12/31/2025

Now offering TF-CBT! Mac Dallenbach, one of our provisionally licensed clinicians, has recently completed training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Starting January 2026, Mac will be enrolling youth who have experienced trauma for TF-CBT to complete her year-long consultation with TF-CBT certified clinicians, before becoming rostered herself.

TF-CBT is an evidence-based therapy for youth and their caregivers dealing with trauma. The therapy aids in processing difficult memories, develops coping skills, and challenges negative thoughts. This is done with a combination of gradual exposure, psychoeducation, and cognitive restructuring for both the youth and their caregiver. TF-CBT is structured and lasts on average between 8-25 sessions.

Mac works with youth between the ages of 8 to 17 years, along with their caregivers. She is credentialed with several Medicaid plans, and is able to bill Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

12/30/2025

Looking for a place to start? We currently have several therapists ready to onboard new clients! Fill out this linked application to start your growth with us: https://forms.gle/Z19rC54pw5QKWmYd8
If you’re already on our waitlist, please make sure your contact information is up-to-date by emailing info@theoakcenter.com.

10/05/2025

We’re thrilled to participate in MidMo’s 25th PrideFest this weekend! We had a great time yesterday seeing new and familiar faces, and we hope to see more of you from 12 to 6pm today! Our booth is located at the corner of Park Ave and St. James St.

You can visit MidMo PrideFest’s page for more information https://www.facebook.com/share/14KGtu7aJfq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/28/2025

The Oak Center has rapidly grown over the summer, and we want to take the next few weeks to introduce you to our newest therapists! First, we want you to meet Lily Kohler who recently graduated with their MSW from the University of Missouri in May! Lily is a passionate DBT provider who brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience in their work with teens and young adults who are neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+.

As a provisionally-licensed therapist, Lily is currently able to accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and self-pay clients, and they are in the process of getting credentialed with all Missouri Medicaid plans. They have immediate openings!

To learn more about Lily and apply for services with them at The Oak Center, please visit

Lily Kohler, MSW, LMSWHello! My name is Lily Kohler (they/them/theirs), and I’m so glad you’re here! I am a provisionally licensed therapist here at The Oak Center. When here I provide individual therapy and help co-facilitiate groups. We all have our own journeys and for some of us those journe...

08/22/2025

We are so excited to be offering Your Parent Compass (YPC): a DBT-informed parenting class available virtually and in-person. YPC was designed to help parents with children (ages 10-30) struggling with behavioral and emotional challenges and is open to anyone in the community!

For more information, please visit our website at https://theoakcenter.com/groups/p/4l0thp4558n2umejtt9cv49kvhwcpd

06/07/2025

We had a fantastic time presenting at Coyote Hill’s Foster the Call conference this weekend! Geared towards those who interact personally or professionally with children in foster care, Clare and Nancy taught on the art of validation in their workshop Seen, Heard, Valued: Building Trust through Validation. We love sharing tools to help people connect with vulnerable children - especially with people so eager to learn!

05/28/2025

The Oak Center is growing! To make space for several new therapists joining our team over the next few months, we've been making some physical changes to The Oak Center. Enjoy these behind the scenes "sneak peeks" of how we turned a conference room into two additional offices!