“I believe the most meaningful work begins with understanding the person behind the symptoms.”
Dr. Sara Schilplin is a Licensed Psychologist who provides individual therapy for adults. She works with a wide range of clinical concerns and has particular expertise in mood and anxiety disorders, including depression, generalized anxiety, and bipolar disorder, as well as challenges related to life transitions, relationships, family of origin dynamics, and emotion regulation.
Her approach to therapy is deeply individualized and grounded in both clinical expertise and genuine human connection. While diagnoses can be helpful in understanding patterns and symptoms, Dr. Schilplin believes that meaningful work begins with understanding the person behind them—their experiences, relationships, perceptions, and the unique story that has shaped who they are.
Dr. Schilplin practices from an integrative framework, drawing primarily from Cognitive Behavioral and Object Relations theories, while remaining flexible and responsive to the needs of each client. She takes a collaborative approach to treatment, working closely with clients to understand where they are, where they’ve been, and where they want to go.
Her style is warm, engaged, and insight-oriented. She meets clients where they are—with empathy, validation, and zero judgment—and creates a space where deeper exploration feels both safe and meaningful.
Dr. Schilplin has worked with individuals from all walks of life, across a wide range of experiences and challenges—from those navigating everyday stressors and life transitions to high-performing professionals, individuals facing significant mental health struggles, and those processing complex trauma or major life events. Her background includes work in private practice, community mental health, university counseling, and forensic settings, giving her a broad and nuanced understanding of human behavior and change.
She has also had the privilege of working alongside clients in some of life’s most pivotal moments—whether navigating identity shifts, major transitions, or reflecting on the meaning of their life experiences in its later chapters.
While Dr. Schilplin’s work is depth-oriented and exploratory, she recognizes that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. For those seeking highly structured, workbook-style, or symptom-focused treatment, other providers at Sonder may be a better fit.
However, for individuals who are looking to better understand themselves on a deeper level—to explore the “why” behind patterns, experiences, and emotions—and to create meaningful, lasting change, her approach may strongly resonate.
It is never too late to understand your story—and to move forward in a way that feels more aligned, more intentional, and more your own.
Education:
Dr. Schilplin received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver.
Experience:
She has 14+ years of experience and has worked in a variety of settings, including private practice, community mental health, a University counseling center, and a forensic mental health treatment facility. Dr. Schilplin is the founder and owner of Black Hills Psychology, which expanded from a solo practice to a comprehensive group practice in 2014.
Dr. Schilplin is also an elected member of the South Dakota State Board of Psychological Examiners.
- Mood and anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Life transitions
- Family of origin issues
- Relationships
- LGBTQ issues
- Emotion regulation
- Testing for adults
- Psychological evaluations
- ADHD
- General mental health functioning
- Cognitive/memory functioning
- Anger problems
- Forensic issues
- Pre-surgical pain or bariatric evaluations