About Us
"Play is a child's work and this is not a trivial pursuit."
- Alford Adler
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.
Sarah Barnes
MS, LMHP, LPC, RPT Owner/Founder sarah@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) *Currently not accepting new clients
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 unique challenges that anxiety disorders present, and has specialized training in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) to deliver the best, most evidenced based practices to treat OCD and anxiety related disorders. Sarah is a trained provider by the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) and is also a registered provider of the IOCDF.org. She works with adults, teens, and children utilizing this gold standard treatment. 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, and a Certificate of Play Therapy. Sarah has previously held certifications as a Certified Teacher and Certified School Counselor. Sarah believes passionately in the power of play and that all children are valuable, capable, & worthy of love & opportunity. Child/Adolescent Specialties include: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, phobias, trauma, 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:
Insurances Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Medica, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay 
Jen Ortmeier
MS, LIMHP jen@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) 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:
Insurances Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, UHC, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay 
Mariah Wessel-Draper
MS, LIMHP, RPT mariah@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) “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.
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. 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:
Insurances Accepted: BCBS, Medica, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, UHC, UMR, Optum, Private Pay 
Sam Bunnyfield
LCSW, LIMHP, RPT-S sam@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) 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:
Insurance Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, UHC, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay 
Rye Ling McIntosh
LCSW, LMHP, MPA rye@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) 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 completed training in:
Insurance accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay. 
Emily Arkfeld
LCSW, LMHP, MSW emily@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) Emily’s passion is helping kids and youth feel confident, safe, and heard. She values allowing kids and youth an avenue to speak openly in a nonjudgmental and unbiased space. She believes therapy can be a place for them to explore their emotions and learn and practice skills that translate throughout the lifespan.
Emily attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha for both her Bachelors in Recreation Therapy and her Masters in Social Work and is a Clinical Social Worker. She has experience in child/adolescent residential and in-patient treatment, school social work, training for child welfare staff, and providing social, emotional, and behavioral learning support for school districts across the state. Emily draws on all her experiences to bring a multifaceted and individualized approach to therapy. She recognizes the importance of movement and play to help children and youth process thoughts and emotions. Emily also utilizes a combination of strengths-based, solution focused, and cognitive-behavioral therapies to meet the needs of each person and help them attain their goals. Child/Adolescent Specialties include: stress, anxiety, depression, school-related issues, low self-esteem, emotion regulation, and peer related concerns Insurance Accepted: Insurance accepted: BCBS, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, Medica, Aetna, Midlands Choice, Cigna, and Private Pay. 
Lisa Brodie
MS, NCC, PLMHP lisa@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) In all aspects of her life, Lisa has found truth in the quote “only a life lived for others is a life worth living” by Albert Einstein. Growing up in a big family, helping others was what everyday life entailed. This has been the foundation for many of the choices which led her on the journey to serve others. Working in mental health, she is able to use her knowledge and experience to help clients remove barriers, solve problems, heal from trauma, and develop a healthy self-concept. In her personal life, she is dedicated to fostering an environment where her daughters can flourish as strong, hard-working, and compassionate humans.
Graduating with a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, her professional career began as a Child Welfare Specialist where she spent years supporting and strengthening families involved with the foster care system. Witnessing firsthand the transformative power of the mental health professionals who worked with these youth and families inspired Lisa to become one herself. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and spent ten years ensuring students thrived throughout their academic careers while supporting their social and emotional development as a School Counselor. She is currently a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, is a board-certified counselor, and is trained in TCIT (Teacher Child Interaction Training). Additional experiences include working with children ages 0-3 and their families in Early Head Start, counseling adolescent and adult women, facilitating CBITS (Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools) groups, and volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Sarpy County. Being bicultural has provided Lisa with a unique understanding of racial identity formation. We as individuals seek to learn who we truly are and to obtain acceptance, both internally and externally. This discovery of our identity can be particularly daunting to undertake as a child or adolescent, as well as for parents who wish to understand and support. Throughout the collaborative partnership of therapy, you and Lisa will identify goals then diligently work together to achieve them in a nurturing and supportive environment. Bilingual: Fluent in Spanish Lisa has completed training in:
Child/Adolescent specialties include: anxiety (separation, social, general), separation/divorce, complex and acute trauma, racial identity, grief, gender identity, emotion regulation, self-injury, social skills, school-related challenges including, but not limited to, behavioral issues, school refusal and ADHD Insurances accepted: BCBS, Aetna, and Private pay 
Maggie Hake
BC-MT maggie@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) We welcome Maggie Hake, BC-MT to our team!
Play Therapy Omaha is proud to partner with Resonate Music Therapy out of Colorado to bring you music therapy from a board certified music therapist. Maggie was born and raised in Omaha, NE, and is excited to be bringing music therapy to her hometown. She graduated from Loyola University New Orleans where she studied music therapy with her principal instrument in violin. She completed her internship in San Diego at the Music Therapy Center of California where she gained experience working with older adults and individuals with special needs. Maggie has been with Resonate Music Therapy since 2019 and has enjoyed working with diverse populations including those with special needs, epilepsy, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), chromosomal abnormalities, those on hospice/palliative care, or those working through mental health challenges. Maggie uses a person-centered approach with an influence from Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT). With an understanding of how music impacts the brain and a desire to empower and motivate, Maggie provides personalized treatment that helps each client reach their goals through music. Music Therapy Services are not covered by insurance and are private pay only. *Although incredibly talented & skilled through her education and training, board certification in music therapy does differ and is not licensed by the state of Nebraska as a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner. |
Kaleigh Paben
MS, LMHP kaleigh@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) 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, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and is currently working towards obtaining certification in Play Therapy (RPT). 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:
Insurances Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, UHC, UMR, Optum and private pay 
Katie Tessin
MS, LMHP, RYT-200 katie@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) 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. 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. 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:
Insurances accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Medica, Aetna, UHC, UMR, Optum and private pay 
Machaela Hackendahl
MA, LIMHP machaela@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) 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. 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 Machaela has training/certificates in the following modalities:
Insurance Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay. 
Eric Depue
MS, LCSW, LMHP eric@playtherapyomaha.com (he, him, his) 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. 
Anna Wheeler
MA, LMHP, LPC anna@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) Anna understands the anxiety and stresses that life can bring, especially negativing adjustments and change. She is passionate about helping individuals find their voice through play and believes change can happen when we feel heard, cared for, and understood. Anna’s hope is to create a safe environment for all to express big feelings and process experiences to move forward. She desires to equip individuals 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, Acceptance and Commitment 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 Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and Professional Counselor. Child/Adolescent Specialties include: Postpartum Depression & Anxiety, 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:
Insurances Accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, Medica, Aetna, and Private Pay 
Liz White
LCSW, LIMHP, MSW liz@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) Liz White is an Independent Mental Health Practitioner and a Licensed Clinical Social worker. Her background includes working with teens and families, with a major focus on empowering women and girls. She volunteered, worked, and lived in Chicago for 15 years before moving to Omaha with her husband and three children. She has her Masters Degree and is certified in Women’s Studies and School Social Work.
Liz believes that building relationships is the foundation from which people can learn, grow, and thrive in each of their diverse and unique lives. She sees her role as being a guide who can assist in unlocking and reflecting on the gifts and strengths that each person possesses through the therapeutic relationship. Liz has experience in schools and community organizations. She has also worked in private practice, where she enjoyed working with teens, women, couples, parents, and families. As a clinician, she works to empower clients to reach their goals through skill building, self awareness and increasing confidence. Liz utilizes Mindfulness practices and a Strengths-Based perspective to help develop positive coping for anxiety, depression and stress management. Balance within ones self, and in relationship with others always being the goal. Liz uses Motivational Interviewing techniques to work with teens and adults struggling with substance abuse. Through Cognitive-Behavioral and Family Systems Theory, Liz helps individuals, parents and families get to a place where they can create more harmony and understanding by integrating practical skills and decreasing conflict. Adolescent/Adult Specialties: Liz works with individuals 15+, parents, families, and couples. Insurance Accepted: Insurance accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, Cigna, Aetna, Medica, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, and Private Pay. 
Susie Jones
LCSW, LMHP, MSW susie@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) Susie believes every child is a precious gift and should be seen and treated as such. Children and adolescents are capable of much more than they often realize. She is dedicated to helping them discover the strength they already have within themselves and develop the skills needed to be successful in achieving their dreams. Children have a natural ability to absorb information, but more often than not need assistance when it comes to interpretation. With that in mind, Susie creates a safe, inviting space for children and youth to have the freedom to explore their thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
Susie uses a mixture of strengths-based, solution-focused, faith-based and cognitive behavioral approaches to integrate skills based on the needs of each individual in order to be prepared for a successful adulthood. She has spent the last 10 years working directly with children and families in an educational setting at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Her wide range of experience has allowed her to gain a unique understanding of the importance of healthy relationship building and she uses a wrap-around approach to address all systems involved in a child’s life. Life is full of both joy and challenges, and having someone to walk through the inevitably diverse seasons along the journey is imperative. Susie provides encouragement, support and advocacy so children and youth can fulfill their innate need to be heard and validated. Susie earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Marketing and Communications from the University of Kansas. She decided to embark on a career advocating for children and in 2012 received her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is a Licenced Clinical Social Worker and a Licenced Mental Health Practitioner. Child/Adolescent Specialties include: self-esteem issues, school-related concerns, emotional regulation, grief, depression, anxiety, anger, peer related concerns, parent-child relationships Insurance accepted: BCBS, Midlands Choice, United Health Care, UMR, Optum, Medica, Cigna, Aetna, and Private Pay. 
Anne Rosenkranz
MS, NCC, PLMHP anne@playtherapyomaha.com (she, her, hers) Anne has built a rewarding career helping others and dedicating herself to the kids and families she serves. With nearly a decade of experience, Anne understands the importance of creating a welcoming environment to facilitate meaningful relationships with both her clients and their families.
Anne has practiced in a variety of settings in various states, including Illinois, Ohio, and now Nebraska. As a licensed school counselor in Illinois she worked with students and families in both middle and high school settings before she and her family moved to Northeast Ohio. In Ohio, Anne wrote and managed federal grants to support out of school programming with a focus on social emotional learning. She and her family recently moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she further followed her passion and pursued a license to provide mental health services for children and their families. Anne is also actively completing ongoing training to become a Registered Play Therapist(RPT) and a Clinical Mental Health Counselor – she is currently provisionally licensed in the state of Nebraska. She is committed to the belief that play provides space for children of all ages to learn to identify and process big emotions. Her child and adolescent specialties include: anxiety (loss, separation, social, general), grief, acute trauma, gender identity, emotional identification and regulation, self-harm, social skills, school-related challenges as it relates to behavioral issues, impulses, school refusal and ADHD. Anne has completed trainings in:
Insurances accepted: BCBS, Aetna, Private Pay 
Zach Maloley
MS, PLMHP zach@playtherapyomaha.com (he, him, his) Zach is passionate about erasing the stigma of weakness related to mental health. As a former college athlete, Zach has seen first-hand that those with the most strength are the ones that have battled life’s challenges and received help. Zach has also found that those that receive early intervention in therapy have a unique opportunity to build resilience and skills that other individuals may never develop.
Zach believes that the most important part of counseling is a solid relationship between the client and practitioner. He loves relating to his clients and genuinely engaging in the struggles that they may be facing. Formerly working at Boys Town, as well as working in the school system, Zach finds joy and purpose in helping individuals navigate difficult times. Zach hold a Bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State in Emergency Management and a Master’s degree in Counseling from UNO in 2021. Insurances accepted: BCBS (in-process), Aetna, Private Pay |