Marci Ramsay, LSCSW, RPT-S
Marci is the owner of Connections Child and Family Therapy. Her advanced degree is a Master of Social Work earned in 2006 from The University Of Kansas. She holds licensure in the state of Kansas as a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (#4179). In addition, she is a Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor (#S1960). This includes training in Theraplay®, Child Centered Play Therapy, Sand Tray, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Marci is currently pursing training in Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) group protocol. Additionally, Marci is Level 2 trained in EMDR and Level 1 certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics through the Child Trauma Academy.
Marci has worked in early childhood mental health for nearly 20 years. She has been employed at Positive Bright Start as an Early Childhood Mental Health Clinician and Early Childhood Services Administrator since 2007. She opened her private practice in 2016. Marci is passionate about providing high quality, evidence-based interventions to young children who have experienced trauma and other life challenges. Marci's primary practice is the assessment and treatment of children, birth through age 11, utilizing developmentally informed and neurobiological based play therapy interventions.
Marci believes that children do as good as they can and have the innate capacity to heal. Marci adopts the practice of non-directive play therapy, allowing each child to direct their own healing process in a supportive, nonjudgmental, and relational space. Establishing safety and trust are integral to the therapeutic process and Marci places emphasis on this process of connection knowing that without the felt sense of safety, children are not able to fully heal.
Marci has worked in early childhood mental health for nearly 20 years. She has been employed at Positive Bright Start as an Early Childhood Mental Health Clinician and Early Childhood Services Administrator since 2007. She opened her private practice in 2016. Marci is passionate about providing high quality, evidence-based interventions to young children who have experienced trauma and other life challenges. Marci's primary practice is the assessment and treatment of children, birth through age 11, utilizing developmentally informed and neurobiological based play therapy interventions.
Marci believes that children do as good as they can and have the innate capacity to heal. Marci adopts the practice of non-directive play therapy, allowing each child to direct their own healing process in a supportive, nonjudgmental, and relational space. Establishing safety and trust are integral to the therapeutic process and Marci places emphasis on this process of connection knowing that without the felt sense of safety, children are not able to fully heal.
Karla Flores-Hernandez, LPC
Karla has a Bachelor's in psychology from Universidad Centro Americana Jose Simeon Canas-UCA (El Salvador). She attended and then received her Master's in Clinical psychology from Universidad Dr. Jose Matias Delgado (El Salvador). While developing her private practice, she began her career with Salvadorean community residents (children and adolescents) at her college Psychological Assistance Clinic. She enhanced the skill of treating various clinical issues focusing on behavioral and emotional problems. She currently holds a licensure in the State of Kansas as a Licensed Professional Counselor and will work under the supervision of Marci Ramsay, who is an LSCSW (#4179)and Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor (#S1960).
Karla has been working in the mental health field for over 13 years. Although she is originally from El Salvador,and her native language is Spanish, she is fluently bilingual.
Karla feels comfortable working with children and adolescents and knows that it is necessary to guide parents to improve their family relationship by helping them understand their children's specific emotional and psychological needs. Karla likes to help families implement interventions with compassion and efficacy. Families, especially parents, must have adequate and suitable techniques to work with their children to help with a healthy emotional environment.
Karla treats children through play therapy and other psychodynamic techniques and interventions to help them express their feelings, solve problems, and build skills. That way, they can bring to light negative communication patterns in their families. Moreover, this will guide her to discover problem-solving techniques and strategies to meet their psychological needs.
Alana Kramer, LSCSW
Alana graduated from the University of Kansas with an advanced standing Masters of Social Work degree 2008. She holds licensure as a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker and is pursuing credentials as a Registered Play Therapist. Before joining Connections, Alana held a variety of titles including early childhood therapist at Positive Bright Start, Milieu Group therapist with adolescents at KidsTLC Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility and In-home Outpatient Therapist for children in foster care through KVC.
Alana’s primary practice is the assessment and treatment of children with social and emotional difficulties, focusing on treating children with histories of trauma, depression, anxiety, attachment disruptions and adjustment disorders. Alana prefers to use strengths based, solution focused, trauma informed and attachment based theories to assess the needs of children and their families. Alana has received training in a variety of models, including Dialectical Developmental Psychotherapy, Trauma Systems Therapy, Sandtray therapy, Theraplay, and Child Centered Play Therapy. Alana’s primary focus is to build solid trusting relationships with her clients and their parents and to approach each unique family using a child-centered, attachment focused and trauma informed lens. Alana is passionate about helping children and their families improve their quality of life and reach their fullest potential.
Alana’s primary practice is the assessment and treatment of children with social and emotional difficulties, focusing on treating children with histories of trauma, depression, anxiety, attachment disruptions and adjustment disorders. Alana prefers to use strengths based, solution focused, trauma informed and attachment based theories to assess the needs of children and their families. Alana has received training in a variety of models, including Dialectical Developmental Psychotherapy, Trauma Systems Therapy, Sandtray therapy, Theraplay, and Child Centered Play Therapy. Alana’s primary focus is to build solid trusting relationships with her clients and their parents and to approach each unique family using a child-centered, attachment focused and trauma informed lens. Alana is passionate about helping children and their families improve their quality of life and reach their fullest potential.
Grace Mosier, LPC
Grace graduated with her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas in May of 2024. She is currently pursuing credentials as a Registered Play Therapist. Prior to embarking on her Master’s journey and joining Positive Bright Start, Grace obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in Unified Early Childhood Education. During this time, she gained valuable experience working in diverse educational settings such as Special Education, Title One, and Montessori environments.
In her professional practice, Grace specializes in assessing and treating children from birth through age 6 who are facing social-emotional difficulties, developmental delays, and anxiety or attachment concerns. She employs a range of therapeutic approaches, including strengths-based, trauma-informed, and child-centered methodologies, to ensure the holistic well-being of her clients. Grace has training in various play therapy modalities and interventions, including Child-Centered Play Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy. Motivated by her deep commitment to serving children and families from diverse backgrounds, Grace is devoted to leveraging the profound impact of play within her therapeutic practice.
In her professional practice, Grace specializes in assessing and treating children from birth through age 6 who are facing social-emotional difficulties, developmental delays, and anxiety or attachment concerns. She employs a range of therapeutic approaches, including strengths-based, trauma-informed, and child-centered methodologies, to ensure the holistic well-being of her clients. Grace has training in various play therapy modalities and interventions, including Child-Centered Play Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy. Motivated by her deep commitment to serving children and families from diverse backgrounds, Grace is devoted to leveraging the profound impact of play within her therapeutic practice.
Erin Walker, LSCSW, RPT, RYT
Erin earned her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas and is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW). She is also a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), and Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher with
specialized training in trauma-informed children’s yoga. Erin has clinical experience providing trauma-informed mental health services to children, adolescents, and families across outpatient, school-based, community mental health, and telehealth settings. Her work has included play-based therapy in private practice, school-based therapy and crisis intervention, and behavioral health support for youth and families in
multidisciplinary systems of care. I enjoy working with children of all ages, with a special appreciation for early childhood, and value collaboration with caregivers, schools, and other providers to support a child’s overall well-being.
In her clinical work, Erin utilizes play therapy as a primary modality and integrates trauma-informed approaches, cognitive behavioral strategies, solution-focused interventions, and mindfulness-based techniques. When appropriate, Erin will incorporate movement and therapeutic yoga to support emotional regulation, body awareness, and resilience. Erin's approach is strengths-based, developmentally appropriate, and grounded in the belief that play is a powerful tool for healing and growth.
specialized training in trauma-informed children’s yoga. Erin has clinical experience providing trauma-informed mental health services to children, adolescents, and families across outpatient, school-based, community mental health, and telehealth settings. Her work has included play-based therapy in private practice, school-based therapy and crisis intervention, and behavioral health support for youth and families in
multidisciplinary systems of care. I enjoy working with children of all ages, with a special appreciation for early childhood, and value collaboration with caregivers, schools, and other providers to support a child’s overall well-being.
In her clinical work, Erin utilizes play therapy as a primary modality and integrates trauma-informed approaches, cognitive behavioral strategies, solution-focused interventions, and mindfulness-based techniques. When appropriate, Erin will incorporate movement and therapeutic yoga to support emotional regulation, body awareness, and resilience. Erin's approach is strengths-based, developmentally appropriate, and grounded in the belief that play is a powerful tool for healing and growth.
Julie Heatwole, LMSW
Juile graduated from the University of Minnesota with a double major in Child Psychology and Spanish. She went on to attend the University of Kansas as a master’s student in the Department of Human Development and Family Life, and later earned her graduate degree in Social Welfare from KU in 2003. Julie currently holds a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credential. She has extensive experience working with children and families across a variety of settings including Community Living Opportunities in both the Early Childhood Autism and Family Enhancement programs. She have also served as a WRAP therapist and mental health screener with Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. For the last 20+ years, Julie worked as an elementary school counselor in Lawrence Public Schools, where she provided direct support to children facing emotional, social, and behavioral challenges. Currently, she works as a crisis therapist at the Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County (TRC) in Lawrence. Julie is also co-chair of Rainbow Kids and Families, Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and their families.
In her clinical work, Julie utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. She has experience supporting children with grief and loss, neurodiversity, anxiety, trauma, social skills development, and emotional regulation challenges. You'll find that Julie's approach is trauma-informed and strength-based, with a focus on empowering children to recognize their resilience and become their best selves.
In her clinical work, Julie utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. She has experience supporting children with grief and loss, neurodiversity, anxiety, trauma, social skills development, and emotional regulation challenges. You'll find that Julie's approach is trauma-informed and strength-based, with a focus on empowering children to recognize their resilience and become their best selves.