Play is the natural language and work of children. It is the way children resolve problems. Play Therapy is a form of treatment based on using play as the child’s means of expressing and working through conflicts. The use of play allows trained professionals to better understand children and helps them achieve optimal mental health.
The therapist and the parent(s) meet as a team in the first session and periodically thereafter to discuss therapy and strategies for home.
Child Focused Counseling
MidAmerica Nazarene University offers play therapy services for children between the ages of 3 and 12 years old.
Charges for these services are based on an income-based sliding scale. Our team of therapists are licensed mental health practitioners and/or Master’s-level graduate students. This team is here to serve you Monday—Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Make an appointments online or give us a call at 913-971-3733.
Calls are generally returned the next business day.
No personal information is released to anyone outside the counseling offices without written consent. Confidentiality does have a few limits. Therapists are legally required to report cases of child abuse or abuse of a dependent adult. Information may be disclosed when there is threat of immediate danger and may also be disclosed if required by court order.
Make an appointment by filling out our request form below or by calling 913.971.3733.
Emergencies: If you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact 9-1-1 or visit your local emergency department for immediate care.
EdD; Ethical Leadership, Olivet Nazarene University
MBA; MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA in International Development, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Dr. Jon D. North was elected the sixth president of MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2025 and is the first alumnus of MNU to hold this position.
Before he was elected president, Dr. North served MNU as the senior vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the MNU Foundation. Over the past 15 years, his leadership has elevated the university’s landscape. Under his direction, the MNU Foundation’s assets quadrupled, laying a strong financial foundation for the future.
He also spent 17 years with Heart to Heart International, a global humanitarian aid organization based in the Kansas City metro. As an active member of the Kansas City community, Dr. North serves on various non-profit and community boards.
Dr. North and his wife, Faith, are both MNU graduates, as are their four adult children and two daughters-in-law. The Norths live in Olathe and are active members of Central Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas.
Master of Accountancy, University of Missouri
BA in Business Administration, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Darrel Anderson brings a wealth of strategic finance, budget development and cash flow management to his role as MNU’s Vice President for Finance. Anderson has more than 30 years of public and private experience. He has held the CFO position at a variety of companies, including his position as the CFO for the State of Indiana’s Department of Revenue. Anderson’s interest in finance began at MNU, where he earned his undergraduate degree in business administration.
He and his wife reside in Olathe.
MLA; Psychology, Baker University, 2015
Lisa Hood has been with MNU since 2015, previously serving as School of Professional and Graduate Studies director of business partnerships and community relations.
As vice president, Hood provides leadership for the SPGS strategic growth initiatives and recruitment along with student services and support systems.
Her career prior to MNU includes positions at two other universities. She served at the Institute for Professional Development and Helix Education assigned to Baker University and worked as associate director of admissions at both Avila University and Baker University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Emporia State and a Master of Liberal Arts with a concentration in psychology from Baker University. In addition to her current responsibilities, Hood teaches sociology courses at MNU.
Hood and her husband, Joe, live in Olathe. They have two college-aged daughters.
MEd; MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA; Physical & Health Education, MidAmerica Nazarene University.
Mr. G. Todd Garrett serves as the Vice President for University Advancement & Athletics. Mr. Garrett has served MidAmerica Nazarene University with distinction for nearly three decades, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our Christian mission and remarkable success across multiple roles.
As a 1994 MNU graduate, Mr. Garrett began his professional journey as an educator in the Olathe Public Schools before returning to MNU as the Head Baseball Coach from 1998 to 2006. His career has progressed through increasing levels of responsibility, including Director of Athletic Development, Director of Development & Corporate Partnerships, and, most recently, Director of Athletics since January 2017.
Todd and his wife, Karen, are both MNU graduates, as are their two adult children and their daughter-in-law. The Garretts live in Gardner, Kansas and attend Life Church of Overland Park, Kansas.
MA, LPC, SATP MA; Counseling, 2015, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Post-graduate Certificate; Sexual Addictions Treatment Provider, 2017, MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA; Bible, Theology and Religion, 2009, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Daniel began his career in student development as a resident educator and assistant chaplain at MNU. He also served as youth pastor at Christ Community Church of the Nazarene in Olathe from 2008 to 2013.
Daniel served as director of residential life beginning in 2015 and transitioned to dean of students in 2020 before being named vice president in 2021. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Counselor Education at MNU and serves local clients as a licensed professional counselor.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to continue my work with MNU students,” Daniel says. “Our mission of creating a transformational experience in the lives of today’s students is more important than ever as they navigate young adulthood and societal issues while they earn their education.”
Rincones and his wife, Kylee, a licensed professional counselor employed by the Olathe School District, reside in Olathe.
PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University
BS; Chemistry, Denison University
Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.
Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.