Wholeness Healing Center

Introduction to Staff – Carolyn Haney

Hi, I’m Carolyn Haney, LCSW, (she, her, hers) I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology and English from Chadron State College and my Masters in Social Work from the University of Wyoming. Since receiving my Masters in Social Work I have been working in a variety of areas, primarily focusing on higher education. For over 20 years I worked in a university setting teaching undergraduate and graduate students pursuing social work degrees. Along the way I worked at Head Start, Hospice, and in the community doing Community Readiness evaluations, squeezing in clinical work along the way.

About five years ago I started providing mental health services to a rural school for prek-12 grade students. I loved it so much that I wanted to expand working directly with clients and took the leap to join the Wholeness Healing Center.

I have extensive training in play therapy and working with children and adolescents. However, I enjoy working with people of all ages.

I have a strong belief that the relationship is at the core of the healing process and a good fit between the therapist and the client is key. Taking the first step in making an appointment can come with a wide range of feelings: relief, vulnerability, or empowerment. Change can be challenging, but it is worth the hard work. Finding the right therapist can help you navigate this path.

Experience

I began my clinical work on an assessment team that utilized technology to assess children living in very rural areas. I worked with a variety of professionals and gained great knowledge and perspective from the diverse professionals and the families navigating the complex systems in order to get their children’s needs met. I continued to grow my clinical knowledge of working with children and individuals with disabilities. Through the work I was doing, I was invited to co teach an Early Mental Health Certificate program at the university, which deepened my understanding of interventions. I have attended the Rocky Mountain Play therapy conference from the very first conference, and have had the privilege of learning from the leaders in play therapy. This past year I completed a Play Therapy Certificate program from the University of Wyoming. Elements of play therapy can be used across the life span – it’s not just for children.

I have also worked part time in an outpatient clinic working with adults in another state while I was teaching at a University full time. In addition to the clinic, I worked part time for Hospice completing assessments and assisting families in having end of life conversations.

Currently, I am providing mental health services to students in a pre-school to 12th grade school in a rural community two days a week and will be working at Wholeness Healing Center three days a week.

I most commonly work with trauma, anxiety and depression, and navigating transitions.

I am excited to be joining the team at Wholeness Healing,I will be working in the clinic in Grand Island.

Tags: Play therapist