DePaul University Community Mental Health Center
Director: Sheila C. Ribordy, Ph.D.

Telephone: 773/325-7780
Fax: 773/325-7781
Email: Sheila Ribordy
Web site: DePaul University Community Mental Health Center


The DePaul University Community Mental Health Center is jointly funded by DePaul and the Illinois Department of Mental Health. Its mission is twofold. The first is to provide mental health services to children up to the age of 17 and their families who live in the Loop, Near North and Lincoln Park areas of Chicago. The second is to provide clinical training for the graduate students in the Ph.D. Clinical Psychology program. In any one academic year, it is typical to have 15-20 practicum students receiving clinical training at the MHC.

Services at the center include individual, family, and group therapy for child-related psychological problems. Psychological testing and medication evaluation and monitoring are also provided. Services are given in both the MHC itself, as well as at two satellite offices located at two CHA housing communities -- Cabrini Green and Lathrop Homes. It is particularly from the satellite sites that extensive outreach efforts are used to engage families. These include home visits, case identification and referral and case management services. Staff also provide psychoeducational groups (e.g., violence prevention, social skills training, parent management) and public talks at a variety of community sites including schools, daycares, and afterschool programs. A recently developed part of the program provides services to youth who have been involved with the juvenile justice system. The 31 full- and part-time staff (including non-paid trainees) includes psychologists, social workers, a psychiatrist, counselors, case managers and outreach workers, along with office support staff.