Our Team

Jody Angel-Trejo

Jody is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner with a strong passion for helping children, adolescents and their families find relief from the stress and trauma experienced in their life. She has worked in a wide variety of clinical settings over the past 15+ years, always with a focus on children and families. She loves specializing in children, young adolescents and family systems work. She works from a very holistic perspective, as she has extensive training in attachment and trauma issues. Training over the years include, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), CPP (Child Parent Psychotherapy), Play Therapy/Expressive Arts, TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, TANT (Trauma Art Narrative Therapy) and NMT (Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics). She also enjoys teaching COSP (Circle of Security Parenting) throughout the year.

Jody has worked with clients who have diverse backgrounds experiencing trauma, grief/loss, divorce of parents, disrupted attachment patterns, and anxiety or depression. She believes in the value of forming safe and secure connections with the client as well as the family system to support the growth in family interactions. She also believes that providing a safe environment allows for reflective work, where individuals can explore not only their current functioning, but also their early experiences as a child that impact how they perceive and respond to their world today. Jody also enjoys providing clinical supervision and presentations to agencies in the area.

Jessica Schlegelmilch

Jessica graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a provisionally licensed mental health practitioner who has a passion for helping children, adolescents and families. Jessica has worked in suicide prevention for the past six years. She is a certified trainer for QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), WRAP (Wellness, Recovery Action Plan) and Connect Suicide Postvention Training. Jessica also serves as a member of the Central Nebraska LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Team. Jessica is also a therapist trained in Child Parent Psychotherapy, specializing in the treatment of young children and bridging the parent child relationship.

Sara Sanson

Sara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a heartfelt passion for working with children, adolescents, young adults and their families through difficult and stressful times. Sara received her degree in from the University of Omaha in 2014. She has an extensive 10 year background in attachment and post adoption issues as she has a long history of working with families touched by adoption. Sara has extensive training in TAC(Training for Adoption Competency),  NMT Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Family Systems Work and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Through these various techniques, Sara provided both individual and family therapy. She is also interested and skilled in treating anxiety, depression and impulse related issues. Sara also enjoys providing Circle of Security to the Kearney community, as Sara is trained Circle of Security facilitator.

Sara’s therapeutic approach involves providing supports to parents related to the needs of their child. Sara believes that supporting families in the healing process involves feedback, guidance, skill development and safety that allows each child and their family member/s to share their internal struggles and needs. Through the process of relational interactions each family member is able to experience a healing process that allows the family system to function more effectively. Sara is a trauma informed therapist, with and extensive understanding of the impacts of stress and trauma on the developing child and is able to fluidly incorporate this information into her therapy to support caretakers in deepening their understanding of their child’s needs. Sara works with children from the age of four into adulthood and accepts all major insurances.

Jordan McCoy

Jordan is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner who feels heartfelt about working with children, adolescents, and families. After graduating from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Jordan began working at Kearney Public Schools providing comprehensive services to young children and families. While there she facilitated Circle of Security-Parenting courses and other social and emotional development for families. Jordan has a strong calling for working with adolescents, children, and young adults experiencing stress, anxiety and/or depression in their lives. She utilizes a variety of techniques to support them in reaching their goals and experiencing a more fulfilling life.

Jordan has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused-CBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). Jordan is also working toward becoming Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Through these trainings, Jordan enjoys helping guide children and families to more connected relationships. She believes in working respectively with the child and parent to address trauma and disrupted family interactions.

Jordan has also served as the President of the Nebraska Counseling Association and values the benefits of a collaborative approach with other professionals working with a child. Jordan loves providing COS-P classes in the Kearney and surrounding areas.

When not working, Jordan enjoys spending her time as a mother and wife, lover of music, and sports enthusiast.

Jeslynn Love

Jeslynn a dedicated and compassionate therapist excited to support and encourage children and families. Jeslynn is a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Therapist. She has a background in trauma, domestic & family violence, as well as sexual assault. Jeslynn is committed to help individuals grow and succeed at the goals they set for themselves. She also has training in suicide prevention, CBT, TF-CBT and Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP).

Jeslynn has a strong passion for working with kids and adolescents’ who experience life’s stressors, trauma, anxiety, and/or depression in their day to day lives.

Lisa Follmer

Lisa is a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Provider and a Clinical Social Worker. She has a broad background of working with children experiencing trauma as a result of abuse and neglect. As a hospice social worker, Lisa has also served children experiencing grief and loss. She has many years experience facilitating educational trainings such as Love and Logic and Stewards of Children. She has also been a provider for the state of Nebraska, helping parents develop parenting plans and educating on the challenges of co-parenting. As a provider of mental health services, Lisa feels strongly about the importance of helping children early in life and supporting parents navigate challenges of parenting. Lisa has had training in Trauma Informed Care and believes strongly that children are amazing and can overcome negative childhood experiences by being allowed to feel safe and valued.

Briana Woodside

Briana Woodside is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Briana has 15 years of experience working with children and families, specifically in the field of adoption. Through this work she has had the opportunity to support youth and young adults who have joined their family through adoption, as they process their grief, strive to build a secure identity and connect the pieces of their story. She has provided education and support to birth parents as they navigate their grief and loss and find their place in the role of birth parent. Briana has prepared adoptive parents for their parenting journey, helping them to understand the trauma their child may have experienced and build on their skills to foster strong attachment with their child. Briana is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), has received certification in Training for Adoption Competency (TAC), and is a trained facilitator of Circle of Security of Parenting (COSP). Briana enjoys working with children of all ages and values a collaborative approach with caregivers to reach the goal of helping children heal and grow.

Jacob Sandman

Jacob is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner who works primarily with adolescents, teens, and adults. He received his Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Nebraska in Kearney in 2020. Stepping into his career as a therapist at the beginning of the pandemic provided Jacob with a unique opportunity to work with clients via Telehealth from the beginning. Jacob offers Telehealth services, however there is something wonderful about being able to connect with a client in person rather than virtually.

Jacob strives to bring warmth and compassion to all his clients as he works with them to identify the areas in life that may not be working well for them. Jacob believes that therapy is a partnership between the clinician and the client who each bring their own realm of expertise on their own lives. Jacob is trained to work with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, trauma, and more. Jacob also works with clients who identify as LGBTQIA+ and brings to these sessions understanding, empathy, and safety to express oneself freely. In 2021, Jacob was trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. He has received training in EMDR, Suicide Prevention, Trauma Informed Care, Self-Compassion, and he continues to grow and develop through additional trainings.

Outside of the therapy room Jacob enjoys running, reading, music, immersive theater experiences, and listening to a wide variety of podcasts. He enjoys discussing mental health, human development, and how the brain functions and will do so for an hour if given the chance. Jacob has recently been described as eccentric, which was the greatest compliment he's received.

Kristine Einspahr

Kristine Einspahr is a provisionally licensed mental health practitioner who has a passion for working with children, adolescents, and families. Kristine graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology and an Educational Specialist degree in Counseling. Kristine has 13 years of experience working within the school systems as a school psychologist.

Through her years of experience as a school psychologist and a parent, Kristine has acquired a comprehensive understanding of deficits with executive functioning skills, Autism, and overall child development, as well as Attention Deficit and related issues. Kristine has a unique understanding of the school environment and how to support children/adolescents in this setting.

Kristine is a therapist who recognizes children's need for support from others in their environment to build the skills needed for successful daily functioning. Her therapeutic approaches integrate CBT, skill development, DBT, and family systems work. Kristine works from an understanding that the brain is a use-dependent organ that with the right input and use, it can move toward optimal functioning and ultimately a place of peace and healing.

When not working, you can find Kristine spending time with her family, watching and/or attending sporting events, or reading.

Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones, LICSW, LIMHP earned her bachelors in Social Work from Avila University in Kansas City Missouri. After moving to Nebraska, Ruth earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social work in 2015. Ruth has worked in many settings, and enjoys working with children, families, and adults.

As a therapist, Ruth believes in meeting clients where they are. Ruth practices client-driven therapy and works hard to develop a collaborative relationship with each client and/or family. Ruth specializes in working with victims of abuse, those who have been affected by trauma, grief and loss, idepression, and anxiety. Ruth uses modalities such as CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, and attachment theory in her practice. Ruth is also an EMDR trained clinician.

Outside of work, Ruth spends most of her time with her husband and 5 children. Ruth enjoys spending time outside and reading.

Marie Liibbe

Marie came to MECC in July of 2019 as our office manager. She has a wide array of experience with children from owning a daycare center, teaching elementary school and working with children and families from hard places through foster care while employed at Compass. She and her husband were also foster parents for 6 years. Marie has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and an Associate of Arts degree in the secretarial field with a minor in Mathematics.

In her spare time, Marie loves spending time with her 3 sons and daughters-in-law along with 11 grandchildren. Her hobbies include reading, listening to music, crocheting, sewing weighted blankets, kayaking and fishing.