Meet our Therapists
At New Connections Mental Health, our growing team of therapist treat children, adolescents and adults in the Hays community and beyond. Our professionals provide expert care you can trust. We are happy to be a key part of your mental health.
Michelle Holdeman, LSCSW RPT
Therapist/Practice Owner
Michelle Holdeman, therapist and practice owner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist in the state of Kansas. Michelle provides individual therapy for children, teens, and young adults. She has worked with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, developmental delays, and autism. She has experience working with children and adolescents in the school setting, foster care system, and psychiatric hospitals. She has a passion for empowering parents with skills and techniques to help them decrease the stress of parenting and increase the parent child relationship.
Stephanie Cross
Licensed Master Social Worker
Stephanie works with children ages 10+ and adults. She provides individual and family therapy. Stephanie has honed her skills in developing therapeutic relationships, focusing primarily on individuals dealing with PTSD, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorders, and Adjustment Issues. Stephanie's treatment approach involves the application of Trauma Systems Therapy (TST), a comprehensive model for treating traumatic stress, which she utilizes in her work to assist clients in managing difficult emotions, processing trauma, and overcoming their experiences. She has an extensive professional background in social work and her commitment to helping children and families, particularly in Western Kansas. She has been in the field for over 15 years, possessing a Bachelor's and Master's degree in social work from Fort Hays State University. Stephanie has considerable experience in handling trauma-related issues, including neglect and psychological, physical, or sexual abuse.
Krysten Watkins, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker
Krysten provides therapy to children ages 3-12. Krystens' focus on child-centered play therapy emphasizes the importance of play in therapeutic interventions with children. This approach recognizes that play is a natural medium through which children express themselves, process emotions, and work through challenges. This approach can be particularly beneficial for children processing trauma, building self-esteem, and developing healthier coping mechanisms.
Krysten has been in the social work field for 20 years. She earned her bachelor's in social work from Washburn University and then her master's in social work from the University of Kansas.
Ashley Harrison, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who provides play therapy services to children ages 3-12. She focuses on child-centered play therapy, an approach that helps children “talk” through their natural medium – play. This method is particularly useful for helping children communicate complex emotions and process a wide range of traumas and/or social and emotional behavior difficulties.
Ashley has been a mental health professional for eight years, and she has worked extensively in school districts, providing therapy and mental health support for students. She has a Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX.