Connecting You to What Matters
Our team of therapists at Heartland Therapy Connection all offer Telehealth and in-office appointments to best accommodate your needs. Weekend and evening appointments can also be arranged as needed.
Heartland Therapy Connection's Therapists
Mary Kate Short, LCSW (MO), LSCSW (KS) is a Licensed Clinical Social worker based in Kansas City, MO. She specializes in work with children and parents, along with couples and families. Mary Kate is highly skilled in helping families navigate difficult behavior and disconnection. She provides individual, couples and family counseling at Heartland Therapy Connection.
I have had the opportunity to work with my clients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools and private practice. These experiences have helped me develop the empathy and understanding my clients seek when coming to therapy. My style is a balance of how-the-brain-works science and optimism knowing that growth and change are possible – I’ve seen it happen! If you are struggling to connect with the people around you, and wonder ‘what’s wrong with me’, you’re not alone. My style is a just-right balance of direct and practical, and warm and empathetic. I’ve been asked about having a magic wand! I create the space for my clients to be themselves, feel safe, heal and grow.
I can help with:
- Parent-Child conflict
- Big feelings and tantrums
- Disconnection in relationships
Who my best fits are:
- Parents and kiddos
- Couples at any relationship stage
- Families
Mary Kate draws from her 15 years of experience as well as the principles of Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in her work with clients. She enjoys using Gottman methods (and is Level 1 certified) in her work with couples, and is near completing a year-long training on the Developmental Model for Couples. Mary Kate is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and is a Registered Play Therapist™. Additionally, Mary Kate provides trauma-informed care for children through Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She knows that life can often be difficult, and is honored to walk alongside her clients as a fellow human.
Mary Kate offers in-person, telehealth and coaching services, and works with private pay clients. She is happy to help clients determine what is the best path, and if therapy at Heartland Therapy Connection feels like the right fit.
Alex Ratzlaff, MA, LPC, LCPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Kansas City, MO. She specializes in working with young adults and adults who are experiencing shifts in identity and life transitions, are feeling stuck, overwhelmed or disconnected. Alex provides individual counseling at Heartland Therapy Connection.
I work best with clients who feel stuck in guilt, shame and emotional overwhelm. My clients often feel big feelings, burnt out, or frozen in decision-making; if this feels familiar, you are not alone! Clients come to therapy feeling stuck in cycles of shame, overthinking and reactivity, even when they know something needs to change. My style is non-judgmental, warm and direct, and I aim to create a space where clients feel more regulated, spiral less, and are understood well.
I can help with:
- Guilt and Shame
- Life transitions (identity, career, relationships)
- Perfectionism, especially for athletes
- Men’s issues: including stress, relationship challenges, and intensity
Who my best fits are:
- Adults and Young Adults
- Men
- Athletes
Alex draws from evidence-based therapies including DBT and EMDR, and her approach is relational, trauma-informed, and grounded in curiosity rather than judgment. Her treatment approach is tailored to the needs, goals, and lived experiences of her individual clients. At the core of Alex’s work is the belief that you don’t need to have everything figured out to start therapy — you only need to be willing to begin. If you’re ready to better understand yourself and create meaningful change, she is honored to support you.
Alex offers in-person and telehealth sessions and works with private pay clients. She is happy to help clients determine whether therapy at Heartland Therapy Connection feels like the right fit.
Hi, I’m Londonne!
Trauma can affect our brains in ways that make us feel stuck in constant survival mode. It can be exhausting, and sometimes it feels like there’s no way out. I offer trauma-focused strategies to help clients process their experiences, cope more effectively, and ultimately move forward with their lives. Whether the root of the issue is emotional, behavioral, traumatic, or complicated, I am here to help you uncover the underlying causes and collaborate with you in therapy to find what works best for your needs and values. I specialize in trauma therapy, sexual abuse recovery, self-esteem building, and EMDR therapy, and I work with clients to incorporate mindfulness techniques that enhance healing and foster emotional resilience.
I use a range of evidence-based techniques, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), to help clients process past trauma and negative beliefs that may keep them stuck. Together, we work on developing healthier coping skills, increasing emotional regulation, and taking manageable steps toward creating the fulfilling life you deserve.
If you’re feeling anxious or uncertain about reaching out for help, I encourage you to ask any questions about how I work with clients. I offer a FREE consultation to help you determine if we’re a good fit, and I’d love to discuss your unique needs and help you take the next step in your trauma recovery journey.
Morgan Brueseke, MA, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Kansas City, MO. She specializes in work with men and women, young adults in particular, who are navigating life transitions and associated anxiety. Morgan provides therapy online for clients in Missouri and Kansas at Heartland Therapy Connection.
I do my best work with clients who feel uncertain about their future, and are moving into a new phase. My clients often feel stuck about what’s next after graduation, relocation, or a relationship ending. Life is unpredictable and messy, and transitions are more difficult when also dealing with trauma symptoms, borderline traits, anxiety, low self-esteem and grief. My clients are looking for guidance as they process personal challenges and make meaningful life changes. My style is safe and understanding, with a balance of direction and curiosity.
I can help with:
- Low self-esteem and shame
- Life transitions (identity, career, relationships)
- Anxiety and depression
- Identity and relationship concerns
Who my best fits are:
- Young Adults, men and women
- Folks wanting the flexibility of online therapy
- Recent college graduates
Morgan is an EMDR trained therapist who also uses DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills training and CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) in her work with clients to process trauma and alleviate emotional distress. She seeks to understand how her clients have gotten where they are, what their goals are, and how best to guide them. Her treatment strategy uses CBT to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and psychodynamic exploration to understand the deeper roots. Morgan loves to work online with clients who appreciate the accessibility and convenience of telehealth. She believes that living outside the city shouldn’t prevent excellent mental health support, and is ready when you are to begin your journey.
Morgan offers telehealth sessions and works with private pay clients. She is happy to help clients determine whether therapy at Heartland Therapy Connection feels like the right fit.
Hi, I’m Meagan! I’m really glad you’re here.
I have a passion for working with adolescents and adults as they navigate the complexities of life. Many of my clients come to me struggling with anxiety, stress, trauma, depression, and feeling stuck due to past experiences. Others face challenges like intrusive thoughts, panic, or difficulty managing emotions. Whether you’re dealing with grief, self-doubt, or unresolved trauma, my goal as your therapist is to provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can explore these challenges and gain practical coping strategies. I help clients understand their emotions and behaviors, working toward building resilience and uncovering a more authentic version of themselves.
In therapy, I take a trauma-informed approach and am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which can be particularly effective for processing trauma and breaking free from painful past memories. I also specialize in helping individuals with OCD, utilizing ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to address anxiety-related disorders. Additionally, I use IFS (Internal Family Systems) to help clients understand and work with their internal parts to heal from past wounds.
When I’m not in the therapy office, you can find me thrifting or trying to train my very cute (yet mischievous) dog. It would be my privilege to hold space for you as you find healing along your journey.
Jeff is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Kansas City, MO. He specializes in work with couples, teens and young adults who are juggling anxiety, self-doubt and the pressures of daily life. Jeff works with clients in the Kansas City metropolitan area, online and in person at Heartland Therapy Connection.
My goal is to teach practical tools and techniques that will help my clients have a new relationship with their emotions, and gain some control. Working with young people to face their fears, build resilience and strengthen self-esteem is where I do my best work. My clients often come in with anxiety, perfectionistic tendencies, or problem behaviors, many of which may be interfering with the life they want to build, individually and in relationships. I have a balance of hard work and (real!) magic that drives my approach to meet clients where they are, and create meaningful change in a safe space.
I can help with:
- Perfectionism
- Anxiety and negative self-talk
- Relationship difficulties and growth
- Unhelpful behavioral patterns
Who my best fits are:
- High performing professionals (athletes and attorneys especially)
- Adolescents struggling with anxiety
- Couples who want to improve communication
Jeff is a licensed therapist and performance coach who has worked for over 25 years with high performers to improve their relationships and emotion regulation skills. He is a trained EMDR therapist as well as expert in mindset shifting to increase confidence in all aspects of life. Jeff believes that negative beliefs formed early in life have a lasting impact on decision-making, self-esteem and resilience. He provides a safe space where his clients feel understood and supported, and he helps them move forward with courage and clarity.
Jeff offers in person and telehealth sessions and works with private pay clients. He also can provide therapy in American Sign Language (ASL), making high quality mental health care more accessible. Jeff is happy to help clients determine whether therapy at Heartland Therapy Connection feels like the right fit.
Maddi Worley, MEd, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Kansas City, MO. She specializes in work with adults experiencing unsatisfying relationships and behaviors, addictions, and patterns that have maybe been repeating for years. Maddi is an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist, working with clients of all identities at Heartland Therapy Connection.
I believe therapy works best when you feel truly heard. In our work together, my goal is to approach you with genuine compassion and curiosity, not judgment or criticism. My clients often want to create real and lasting change, and can even see the pattern, but don’t know how to make the change happen. I seek to cultivate a space where you can show up as your full self and share your whole story.
I can help with:
- Unhealthy relationship patterns
- Identity issues (gender, sexuality, partner roles)
- Childhood trauma symptoms
- Unhelpful coping mechanisms
Clients that work best with me:
- Adult women of all ages
- Abuse survivors
- Adults with substance or behavioral addictions
Maddi is trained in EMDR and uses Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory to work with her clients. She is skilled at helping her clients relate differently to their past experiences, so they no longer define how they view themselves. Maddi uses IFS to understand the different “parts” we all have, and helps move from stuckness to internal harmony; strengthening the connection to a calm, compassionate Self. Maddi knows that healing doesn’t have to look a certain way, there’s no set way progress “should” be. The path is defined by you, and her role is to support the discovery alongside you. At her core, Maddi believes that change becomes possible when you feel safe enough to explore what’s been hurting, without the pressure to “fix” yourself.
Maddi offers in-person and telehealth sessions and works with private pay clients. She is happy to help clients determine whether therapy at Heartland Therapy Connection feels like the right fit.
Hi, I’m Olivia! I am so excited to work with you!
I am a counseling intern working toward completing my Master’s degree and pursuing professional licensure. I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish from the University of Kansas, and I am currently in my second year of the Master of Counseling program at UMKC.
I have had the opportunity to work in various mental health settings, where I’ve gained hands-on experience and developed a deeper understanding of the challenges individuals face. This experience has further fueled my commitment to helping others and shaped my approach to therapy. I am particularly interested in working with LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and those navigating anxiety disorders and life transitions. My approach is grounded in compassion and understanding, and I’m currently utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques in my practice. I’m excited to expand my knowledge and skills during my internship and deepen my ability to support clients on their journeys toward mental well-being.
Outside of my studies and internship, I am a lover of the outdoors and animals. I believe that nature and meaningful connections with animals can play a significant role in healing and personal growth. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow in my role, and I am committed to providing a supportive, empathetic space for those seeking guidance and support.
This is Miles, our resident therapy dog and steady companion to therapist Mary Kate. He brings a calm, steady energy to the room and offers tail-wagging support and a happy smile. Whether he’s resting nearby or checking in for a quick hello, Miles helps make the space feel a little softer.
Heartland Therapy Management Team
Anna believes that communities thrive when connections—to both people and resources—are strong. As a Kansas City native with over 15 years of experience, Anna has worked across a diverse range of settings, from agencies to academia and clinical practice to consulting. This breadth of experience has shaped a deep commitment to helping individuals and organizations live and work in alignment with their core values.
Known for a blend of straight talk and clinical expertise, Anna creates a safe and spacious atmosphere for growth. In her group therapy practice, this means guiding clinicians in helping clients to understand how their past experiences influence their present, and helping them move forward with clarity and purpose. In consulting and organizational development, it means supporting teams through change, enhancing communication, and fostering healthier workplace cultures.
Anna is a lifelong learner, who loves DBT, EMDR and the Enneagram. She also has an outsized affection for podcasts and spreadsheets. Anna has two kids and two cats and believes that balance sounds good, but knows how messy it can be!
Josephine Huhs is the Client Care Coordinator and Office Manager for the Heartland Therapy Connection team. She graduated from UMKC with a BA degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice.
She is a Kansas City local who enjoys talking to people and getting to know their backgrounds. Her goal is to connect you with a therapist who best fits your needs throughout your journey of healing.
We Care
Every member of the Heartland Therapy Connection team is here because we want to help.
We understand that life can throw some serious difficulties in your path. Knowing that, we firmly believe that we are all #BetterConnected. We offer real relationships and new stories to help navigate those challenges.
Our goal is to use our education, experience and expertise to walk along this path with you. We are committed to helping every client: meeting you where you are, working on goals you set, and helping create the life you want.
