ABOUT
The Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas (MHA) has been providing a full range of mental and community health services to south central Kansas since 1957. In 2007, we opened the Counseling Center @ MHA to clients in the greater Wichita area — offering them a wide range of counseling and psychological services to guide them through life’s challenges and most trying times. We care about your well-being and strive to provide you all the tools you need in order to seize the day .
Mission and Vision
Mission
The Mission of the Mental Health Association is to empower and assist youth, families and adults in our community to achieve optimal mental health and wellness through education, advocacy, and service.
Vision
Our Vision is achievement of a just, humane, and healthy society where all people are treated with respect, dignity, and the opportunity to achieve their full potential free from stigma and prejudice.
Our Staff
Michael Brewer
LCMFT, LCAC
Clinical Director of Outpatient and Addiction Services
Dually-licensed as a Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor, Michael has over 17 years’ experience in the mental health and addictions treatment and is a member of the clinical adjunct faculty of the Master of Science in Family Therapy Program at Friends University. He is dedicated to working with individuals, couples, and families to achieve a higher level of functioning during difficult times. Michael has a Master of Science in Family Therapy and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and Human Services from Friends University.
Chyncia Howard, LMSW, LMAC
Chyncia began her career in early childhood where she advocated for children with special needs and provided fresh ideas to parents who were challenged by the behaviors of their children. She attended the University of Illinois at Springfield where she received her Bachelor of Social Work degree. Chyncia was given the opportunity to work with families experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Chyncia received her Master of Social Work degree from Newman University. She began providing counseling to children in foster care and resource families regarding moves, grief, separation, and loss issues related to adoption. Chyncia has worked to provide therapy and substance therapeutic strategies to help family members health family relationship that have been injured by addictive behaviors.
Meagan Alcorn, LAC
Meagan is a Licensed Addictions Counselor who has worked in the mental health/social services field for over 20 years. She has been with MHA since 2008. Meagan graduated from Wichita State University in 2015 with a Bachelor's in General Studies. She also has an Associate's with Honors from Butler County Community College, obtained in 2007, and originally became licensed to practice addictions counseling in 2004. Meagan is currently facilitating groups at the Counseling Center for both BIP and SUD (Substance Use Disorder) services while also seeing clients individually for Substance Abuse Counseling.
Karmeleta attended Butler Community College graduating with an Associate of Arts degree 1996. She then obtained her Bachelor degree in Business Management in 2000 with an emphasis in Computer Science. After college, Karmeleta Burnett completed the certification program at Butler Community College and received her certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor in 2001. Karmeleta has worked in the field(s) of Corrections and Social & Human Services for many years.
Tamara Smith, APRN, MPH
Tamara Smith, APRN, MPH has over twenty-seven years of experience providing medication management for children, adolescents, and their families. She is committed to providing quality care when treating depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD, and other mental disorders that affect the lives of her clients. Tamara works in partnership with school systems and other community health services while providing care. She is a strong believer in working with your primary care physician and your therapist to provide coordination of care to help with your recovery. Tamara is a graduate of Wichita State University and Kansas University.
Dr. Gloria Hegge, LSCSW
Gloria graduated from Case Westsern Reserve University (Cleaveland, OH) with a Ph.D in Social Work, and taught in the MSW program at Newman University for 17 years, where she also was Director of the School of Social Work for 3 years. Previous to teaching at NU, Gloria worked at COMCARE-Community Support Services, where she provided individual and group psychotherapy for clients with a severe and persistent mental illness. In her psychotherapy, Gloria uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavior Therapy, Acceptance-Commitment Therapy, and teaches Mindfulness Skills and Relaxation Skills.
Brennen Smith, LMFT
Brennen graduated from Friends University with a master’s degree in Family Therapy. Brennen began his work in the mental health field working with individuals struggling with chronic homelessness and substance use. He has knowledge in Autism, developmental disabilities, marriage and family therapy, and substance use. Brennen is trained in sand tray therapy and is certified in the Prepare/Enrich program in order to do marital, pre-marital, and relationship counseling. Brennen works to find sources of strength and hope in clients to invigorate a striving towards a meaningful life because he believes all humans have a unique potential for growth, given the right circumstances.
Stacey Rodriguez, LSCSW
Stacey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working with children, adults and families in a variety of settings for more than 20 years. Stacey has provided counseling services for Newman University students/athletes for the past 10 years. She has been a family educator, provided children of divorce training, and also worked as a social worker. Stacey believes strongly in the sanctity of marriage and the family unit, and she works hard to preserve those relationships. She believes individuals have value and worth, and she strives to help them reach their full potential. Stacey has extensive experience providing individual, family and relationship counseling to those who want to overcome depression, anxiety, parenting, behavioral, anger management, grief, adolescent, ADHD, relationship and life issues.
Cynthia Johnson, LMSW
Cynthia earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from Newman University in Wichita, KS Cynthia is also a Registered Nurse, and enjoys the unique skill set which her combined degrees offer. She has also supported children, adults, and working professionals who may be struggling with new or ongoing mental conditions, and supports them therapeutically, as well as with community resources to assist in their overall personal and family needs. Cynthia uses a variety of therapeutic skills to assist her clients, including Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Client Centered and Strengths Based Therapy. Cynthia feels partnership and working together in a therapeutic relationship can be powerful in helping individuals be successful in moving forward in life.
Rosa Starnes, ARNP, CNS
Rosa Starnes, is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. She a is Board Certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Rosa provides medication management to all ages of patients; has exceptional experience with children and adolescents, as well as adults. Rosa is experienced with all types of clinical diagnoses. She is supervised by Dr. Heidi Ogden.
Allison Keith, LPC
Allison received a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Wichita State University. She now balances her time between two careers and enjoying her family. She is especially excited to be able to accommodate busy schedules by offering therapy (in-person and teletherapy) after normal business hours and on Saturday. Allison views each client as an opportunity to expand her knowledge of the human soul and is therefore open to seeing clients of all ages and going through any stage of life. Ultimately, Allison's goal as a Mental Health Professional is to offer anyone who seeks her assistance the very best of her knowledge and experience in order to find the best path towards a healthy and balanced state of mind.
