Meet Our Team

Each provider offers a unique set of skills to support children, adolescents, and families. You can learn  more about our providers here. Each provider offers a free 15 minute phone consult to answer questions and to help you find the best fit!

Sarah Barnes
​MS, LMHP, LPC, RPT
sarah@playtherapyomaha.com


A mother of three and with over 15 years working in a variety of mental health and educational settings, Sarah knows kids. She is passionate about helping children & adolescents find their voice in this world through healing, empowerment, & development of a positive self-concept.

Sarah also understands the joy parenting brings, along with pressure, isolation, and anxiety at times. She works with adults, utilizing a cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT) & EMDR, to find balance with parenting and one's self to live a more fulfilled and authentic life.

Sarah holds Bachelor Degrees in Psychology & Education, and earned a Master's in Counseling from UNO in 2008. Her credentials include: Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, Certified Teacher, Certified School Counselor, and a Certificate of Play Therapy.
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Sarah believes passionately in the power of play and that all children are valuable, capable, & worthy of love & opportunity.

Child/Adolescent Specialties include: trauma, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, school-related problems, anxiety, depression, low-self esteem & attachment

Adult Specialties include: OCD, stress management, anxiety, parenting issues, & parent training

Sarah has completed training in:
Theraplay, Level 1
EMDR, Level 1 and Level 2
PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy)
Play Therapy including:
early childhood mental health, inner child for adults, attachment, anxiety, grief, sand tray, and trauma-informed care, play therapy and EMDR
ERP (Exposure Response Prevention)-trained through BTTI
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Insurances Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Medica, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay


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Jen Ortmeier
MS, LIMHP
jen@playtherapyomaha.com

​Jen has always had a heart focused on the well-being and healthy development of children and adolescents. Jen started her career as a middle school English teacher, and her passion for supporting the emotional health of students grew from there. Now as a therapist, Jen sits with her clients as they journey through these developing years, highlighting strengths, and understanding emotions, guiding clients in learning to communicate these emotions and build skills to improve their daily living. Jen's hope is to provide a safe environment for children and adolescents to heal and grow and support them in achieving their goals. She believes she is an intermediate resource to equip and empower both the client and family unit into building deep-rooted strengths within themselves.

Experience includes four years of teaching, play therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training at the Children’s Advocacy Training Center in Plano, TX, and four years working in a collaborative team approach with medication prescribers and community resources. 

Jen holds a Bachelor’s degree in education and earned Master’s degree in counseling in 2013. She is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner.  

Child/Adolescent Specialties include: school-related problem solving, divorce, grief, ADHD, stress, behavioral issues including anger, low self-esteem, anxiety, and self-regulation. 
Adult Specialties include: Parent-child relationship issues, stress management, life transitions, anxiety and grief

Jen has completed additional training in:
​Play Therapy (ongoing)
PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy)
TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
ACT ( Acceptance & Commitment Training)

Insurances Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, UHC, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay

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Mariah Wessel-Draper
​MS, LIMHP, RPT
mariah@playtherapyomaha.com

“When one feels seen and appreciated in their own essence, one is instantly empowered.”
This quote by Wes Angelozzi describes the feeling Mariah strives to create in the therapy setting for children and the adults who care for them. An emphasis is placed on the importance of the relationship in therapy. Mariah also works with adults individually, utilizing a humanistic approach to find connection with clients and meaning in this world.
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Mariah has worked as a trauma-informed therapist with children and their biological, foster, and adoptive families; as a program mental health therapist assisting children discharged from the in-patient and partial hospital units to address issues that are affecting their emotional well-being and functioning in school and home; and as an in-home therapist in the Omaha and surrounding communities. Mariah utilizes client-centered therapy, play therapy, solution focused therapy, art therapy activities and mindfulness based exercises in her practice.

Mariah holds a Bachelor Degree in Art and Education with a minor in Psychology and earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University in 2012. Her credentials include: Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and a Certificate of Play Therapy.
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Mariah believes that each of us have within our selves the power to heal. Sometimes we just need someone to walk beside us for a bit to help the healing begin.

Child Specialties include: trauma, challenges at school, anxiety, depression, self-worth, impulse control, anger, self-regulation, and attachment.

Adult Specialties include: Stress management, anxiety, parenting issues, childhood trauma, and mindfulness.

Mariah has completed training in:
-EMDR, Level 1 and Level 2
-Play Therapy including: early childhood mental health, inner child for adults, attachment, anxiety, grief, sand tray, and trauma-informed care
-Mindfulness Fundamentals

​Insurances Accepted: BCBS, Medica, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, UHC, UMR, Optum, Private Pay
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Sam Bunnyfield
LCSW, LIMHP, RPT-S
sam@playtherapyomaha.com
With more than a decade of clinical experience and the transition to becoming a parent herself, Sam knows the importance of being an empathic and understanding support for parents and children alike. 

She recognizes the complexity of family systems and works to create a therapeutic environment for children and the important adults in their lives to feel free to be themselves, feel empowered to work through their struggles, and engage in opportunities to develop healthy relationships. 

Sam earned undergraduate degrees in Women’s Studies and History at the University of Kansas and later earned a Master’s degree in Social Welfare in 2013. She is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist, and Certified Theraplay® Practitioner, Trainer, and Supervisor. 

Child/Adolescent Specialties include: attachment, acute trauma, developmental trauma, mood disorders, emotional regulation, divorce, foster/adoption related concerns, developmental transitions, and child-parent relationships

Adult Specialties include: parenting, parent-child relationships, foster/adoption related concerns, developmental trauma, and divorce

Sam has completed training in: 
​Theraplay®, Certified Practitioner
EMDR, Levels 1 and 2
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Levels 1 and 2
Play Therapy including:
Adlerian, work with families, attachment, anxiety, grief, narrative therapy, art therapy, trauma, and developmental transitions

Insurance Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, UHC, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay

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Rye Ling McIntosh
LCSW, LMHP, MPA
rye@playtherapyomaha.com
Rye understands children “act out” or display anxiety when they need help handling difficult feelings. Rye empathetically provides kids with an engaging, effective way to process feelings, learn new skills, and improve behaviors through utilization of a wrap-a-round approach. Having worked in both schools as well as in private practice, Rye has experience working with multi-disciplinary teams and is committed to collaborating with both families and schools when providing therapeutic interventions. Rye’s ability to integrate and collaborate with the client, family, school, outside providers and/or community is an integral piece to her work and quintessential to help children generalize important skills in a variety of settings and cultivate effective, real-life solutions to behavioral, emotional, and social challenges. 

Rye holds Bachelor Degrees in Psychology and Sociology, and earned her Master Degrees in Social Work and Public Administration in 2006. Rye is a licensed clinical social worker and licensed mental health practitioner. Rye utilizes a holistic approach to treatment drawing from strengths-based and solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma-focused CBT, and family systems theory meanwhile integrating elements of art and play into the therapeutic process in order to strengthen the client’s foundation for a lifetime of well-being.

Child/Adolescent Specialties include: ADHD, stress, anxiety, divorce, emotional regulation, self-esteem, social skills, peer-related concerns, parent-child relationships, and school-related behavioral concerns. 

Rye has training in trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, and play therapy (ongoing). 
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Insurance accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay.

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Kaleigh Paben
​MS, LMHP
kaleigh@playtherapyomaha.com

Kaleigh’s passion is helping children discover their unique gifts, talents, and abilities.​
Her extensive knowledge working with children, families, and the educational system will allow her to support you in meeting your child’s needs. 

Kaleigh knows that through opportunity, experience, and play, children build coping skills and resiliency; empowering them to see themselves as capable, worthy and loved. 
She will consider your whole child to ensure his/her social-emotional, behavioral, and academic needs are met, allowing for healing, learning, and growth to reach their highest potential. 
 
Kaleigh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master’s in Counseling and a Masters in Educational Leadership. She is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, Certified School Counselor, and is currently working towards obtaining certifications in Play Therapy (RPT) and Behavior Analysis (BCBA).
 
Child/Adolescent Specialties include: school-related problem solving, divorce, grief, stress, behavioral issues including anger, handling overwhelming emotion, anxiety, opposition

Kaleigh has completed training in:
Play Therapy (ongoing)
Sandtray
​Advanced Behavioral Analysis (ongoing)

Insurances Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, UHC, UMR, Optum and private pay 


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Katie Tessin
​MS, LMHP, RYT-200
katie@playtherapyomaha.com​


​Katie believes therapy is a place to be heard and understood, as well as a place for growth and change. She is enthusiastic about providing youth the tools to develop an awareness of their inner and outer experiences, to recognize their thoughts as just thoughts, and to understand how emotions manifest in their bodies. Drawing on her training with emotional intelligence and mindfulness, Katie helps to arm children with effective life skills and self/social awareness.

Katie has over 15 years of experience working with youth, as a classroom teacher, school counselor, children’s yoga teacher, and a Licensed Mental Health Practioner (LMHP).

Katie holds a Bachelor Degree in Education, and earned a Master's in Counseling from UNO. Her credentials include: Certified Teacher, Certified School Counselor, Registered Yoga Teacher-200 hour, Certified Mindfulness Educator, Social Emotional Learning program trainer, LMHP, and trained in Play Therapy.

She enjoys working with youth to understand and reduce anxiety, cope with change, grow self-love, structure enriching and dynamic self-compassion practices, and explore the rich internal world that resides within each of us.
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Katie strives to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for youth. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches including child-centered play, Mindfulness based, solution-focused and strength-based.
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A key component to her practice is in developing a collaborative, compassionate, authentic and comfortable therapeutic relationship with youth clients and families. Therapy is a safe place in which Katie will assist you in exploring the past, creating peace in the present and feeling hope for the future.

Child/Adolescent Specialties Include: working withchildren ages 3-12

Katie's additional trainings include:
Play Therapy (holds a Certificate in Play Therapy)
​Sandtray
​EMDR, Level 1 & Level 2
​Mindfulness Certification
Yoga
Social/Emotional Learning

Insurances accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Medica, Aetna, UHC, UMR, Optum and private pay
Machaela Hackendahl
MA, LIMHP
machaela@playtherapyomaha.com
​Sometimes something unexpected occurs with ourselves or our family.  This can produce many emotions that we are not sure how to handle.  Therapy is a great place to process these emotions and unexpected events.  With over 10 years of practice and extensive trainings focusing on trauma, attachment and undesirable behaviors, Machaela understands kids, teens and families.  

Machaela is a mother of three and “gets” the stress that comes along with parenting, especially while navigating emotions and life experiences.  Whatever your child/teen/family is experiencing, Machaela understands and is here to help!  

Machaela holds two Bachelor of Art degrees one in Psychology and one in Sociology.  She also obtained a Master’s of Science degree in Human Services.  Through the state of Nebraska, Machaela is able to practice as a LIMHP. When meeting with Machaela, she will use a client centered approach and find a modality that works best for yourself and your family.  Machaela understands that therapy needs to be individualized and what works for one individual will not work for another.  

TAC: It is not uncommon for adoptive and/or birth parents to reach a point at which they or their family feel they would benefit from professional intervention. These feelings could be due to increased behaviors, attachment concerns or simple questions on how to move forward with adoptive relationships. Machaela is a TAC trained therapist who is ready to help you navigate this life event.  

Machaela has training/certificates in the following modalities:
TF-CBT (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
CPP (Child Parent Psychotherapy) 
Play Therapy
PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy)
*TAC (Training for Adoption Competency)
COS (Circle of Security)
EMDR levels 1 and 2 (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) 

Always remember “just because no one can heal or do your inner work for you, doesn’t mean that you can, should, or need to do it alone”. – Lisa Olivera

Insurance Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay.
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Eric Depue
​MS, LCSW, LMHP
eric@playtherapyomaha.com

​From a very young age, Eric has known that his place was working with children. He views every interaction with a young person as an opportunity to build and sustain a positive and healthy relationship. He is passionate in his pursuit of helping children find the strength within themselves to find their way in a challenging world. 
 
Eric believes strongly that all people hold the skills and knowledge necessary to instill positive change within themselves. Throughout the therapeutic process, Eric will work to examine all areas of a child’s life in order to leverage their strengths and utilize support systems available to them. Eric will utilize open and honest communication between the child, parents, family members, and school personnel in a collaborative effort to identify and solve problems. 
 
Child/Adolescent Specialties include: anxiety, depression, anger, divorce, school-related problem solving, emotional regulation, peer related concerns, and self-esteem issues. 
 
Eric earned Bachelor Degrees in both Criminal Justice and Sociology from the University of Sioux Falls and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2014. He is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and a licensed mental health practitioner (LMHP). Eric has over 12 years of experience working with children as a school social worker, CPS investigator, residential treatment specialist, case manager, and drug and alcohol educator. His vast array of experience helps provide him a wide lens of understanding when working with children and their families. 
 
Insurance accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay.




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Anna Wheeler
​MS, PLMHP
anna@playtherapyomaha.com


Anna believes play therapy can help little minds process big emotions. She is passionate about helping children and adolescents find their voice through play and believes change can happen when children feel heard, cared for, and understood. Anna’s hope is to create a safe environment for children to express big feelings and process experiences to move forward. She desires to equip children/adolescents with tools to function more effectively in the future and throughout life.

​Anna uses play therapy, art therapy activities, client-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, as well as interventions from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment Therapy. Anna has experience working in the foster care system and working with foster/adopted children.

Anna holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Studies from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master’s in Counseling from Crown College. Anna is a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and has on-going training in Play Therapy.

Child/Adolescent Specialties include: School-related issues, divorce, grief, ADHD, attachment, parent-child relationship, trauma, stress, anger, impulse control, low self-esteem, anxiety, and self-regulation.

Anna has completed training in:
-Theraplay, Level 1
- Child and Adolescent Trauma Training
- Play Therapy (on-going) including: Early childhood mental health, inner child for adults, attachment, anxiety, grief, sand tray, and trauma-informed care.
- 1-2-3 Magic Parenting: Positive Parenting
- Sand tray

Insurances Accepted: BCBS and Private Pay
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Angela Whalen-Sievers
​MS, CMCH Intern
angela@playtherapyomaha.com
Angela has always been driven to help children and teens realize their potential and sense of self-worth as individuals. Having taught elementary school for over 20 years, in four different countries, Angela has a strong background in working with multicultural populations and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of kids, adolescents, and families.

After completing her concurrent BA (English and Psychology) and BS (Elementary Education) degrees at the beginning of her career, Angela decided to embark on a new career, enrolling in a dual-master’s program in counseling at UNO in 2017. Angela completed her MS in School Counseling in May of 2020 and will be working as a Clinical Mental Health Intern at Play Therapy Omaha for the summer months; she will graduate in August of 2021. She is passionate about helping others discover their strengths and self-worth and guiding them toward their true potential as individuals.

​Angela offers a warm, judgement-free environment, rich in support and encouragement. Believing, fully, that therapy is a collaborative process, she is passionate about helping clients discover the strengths within themselves; in this, she guides clients toward healing and toward an understanding of themselves as valuable and important.
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Child/Adolescent Specialties: Angela works with all ages.

Insurance Accepted: private pay