Meet Our Therapists
Alana Kramer, LMSW, Therapy Services, Therapist
Alana graduated from the University of Kansas with an advanced standing Masters of Social Work degree 2008. She is pursuing credentials as a Registered Play Therapist and a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker. Before her position at Positive Bright Start, Alana held a variety of titles including 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.
Nora Dibben, LMSW, Therapy Services, Therapist
Nora earned her Master's of Social Work degree from Washburn University in 2021. She is currently pursuing credentials as a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist. Nora has 7 years of professional experience supporting grant-funded programs that serve children with significant cognitive disabilities. As a social worker, Nora has worked with all ages in settings such as skilled nursing facilities and community mental health. Her background is in helping adults with anxiety, depression, and trauma through evidence-based practices like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Nora is passionate about helping people in every stage of life. She collaborates with clients and focuses on their strengths to ensure they receive the best treatment possible.
Maddi Myers, LPC, Therapy Services, Therapist
Madeline received a Master of Arts in Counseling degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University in the spring of 2020. She is currently pursuing credentials as a Registered Play Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Madeline is trained to use a variety of therapeutic models including Child Centered Play Therapy, directive play therapy, and Sand Tray therapy. When conceptualizing family needs, Madeline refers to Family Systems Theory and emotionally focused models.
Before joining the PBS team, Madeline taught Pre-Kindergarten at Little Building Blocks Early Childhood Development Center in Gardner, KS. During her clinical internship, Madeline was a Play Therapist for the MNU Community Counseling Center. She also offered support during monthly Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) groups for children and families through the Kansas Post Adoption Resource Center.
Madeline’s primary practice is the assessment and treatment of children, birth through age 6, with social and emotional difficulties, including children with histories of depression, anxiety, attachment disruptions, and development disorders. She also has experience with children that are going through the adoption process, grieving a loss, and struggling through a divorce. Madeline believes in the power of play to help children and their families flourish.
Marci Ramsay, LSCSW, RPT-S, Therapy Services, Therapist
Marci’s advanced degree is a Master of Social Work degree earned in 2006 from The University of Kansas. She holds licensure in the state of Kansas as a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker. In addition, she is a Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor and is currently pursuing certification in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics through the Child Trauma Academy.
Marci has been employed at Positive Bright Start as an Early Childhood Mental Health Clinician and Positive Behavior Support Administrator since 2007. Marci’s primary practice is the assessment and treatment of children, birth through age 6, with social and emotional difficulties, specializing in treating children with trauma-related conditions, including child maltreatment, posttraumatic stress disorder, and attachment or adjustment disorders. Marci is trained to use a variety of developmentally-based, play therapies to assist children with self-expression and problem resolution including child-centered play therapy, directive play therapy, Theraplay®, and EMDR.
Marci is passionate about building solid relationships with her clients and approaches each unique situation using a child-centered, attachment based framework. It is through a solid foundation of strong relational connections that Marci believes children can thrive.