Child and Family Counseling in Hays, KS | New Connections Mental Health

Helping kids and teens thrive, one playful therapy session at a time

We help kids heal through play therapy, support teens through tough emotions, and empower parents with tools that actually work.

You’re here because…

You’ve tried everything to help your child feel better—but nothing sticks.


The big emotions, the shutdowns, the outbursts... they leave you feeling overwhelmed, unsure, and maybe even a little defeated.

You’re doing your best—but parenting through this is hard. And you shouldn’t have to figure it out alone.

You’re not looking for a quick fix.

You want to understand what’s really going on beneath the meltdowns, the mood swings, the withdrawal. You’re craving real support, someone who doesn’t just hand you a behavior chart and say “good luck,” but actually gets your child, and helps you feel less alone in the process.

Parenting a child with big emotions, sensory needs, or hard-to-understand behaviors doesn’t have to feel like guesswork.

Parenting a child with big emotions, sensory needs, or hard-to-understand behaviors doesn’t have to feel like guesswork.


You want your child to feel secure, confident, and connected and you want parenting to feel less like a daily struggle.


But right now, the emotions are big, the behaviors confusing, and the guilt heavy. You’ve tried your best, but nothing seems to stick.

Here’s the truth: you're not failing. Emotional regulation is a skill kids  learn, and play is how they process and heal.


At New Connections Mental Health, we use play therapy and parent support to help your family move from overwhelm to understanding together.

Here's what makes us different

Play with Purpose:


We use play therapy because it’s how kids process emotions, build resilience, and grow on their terms.

Parent Support that Works


We equip you with practical tools and insights to better understand and support your child at home.

Trauma-Informed, Brain-Wise Approach


Our methods are grounded in what the brain and body need to feel safe, calm, and connected.

Compassion Over Judgment


We look beyond behavior to understand what’s really going on—meeting every family with empathy.

Okay, so...

Our services & how It works

At New Connections Mental Health, we specialize in helping kids and teens feel safe, understood, and emotionally supported—while giving parents tools that make a real difference at home. Through play, connection, and expert guidance, we create a space where healing actually happens.

Play therapy

Kids make sense of their world through play, so that’s where we meet them. Our therapists use play to help children express big emotions, build confidence, and develop the tools they need to feel more in control.

Parent support & coaching

Because kids aren’t the only ones growing. You want to show up for your child, but sometimes, it feels like guesswork. We offer practical tools, gentle guidance, and a whole lot of validation to help you feel more confident, connected, and calm in your parenting journey.

Therapy for tweens & teens

Support for big feelings, tough transitions, and everything in between, with approaches that meet them where they are.

How it works

Get a Personalized Plan

We match your child with the right therapist and create a tailored approach.

Start with a Consultation

A conversation to understand your child’s needs and your goals.

Begin Sessions

Your child attends regular sessions while you get ongoing support, too.

Grow and Move Forward

Our goal isn’t to keep you in therapy forever—it’s to help your child build lasting skills and your family feel confident handling whatever life throws at you on your own.

Because every child deserves to feel understood, every teen deserves a safe space to grow, and every parent deserves support that actually makes a difference.

Real support. Real connection. Real change. 

child and family counseling in hays kansas

3 Steps to Calmer Days: The A-C-T Parenting Formula to Go from Meltdowns to Moments of Connection

A simple, play-based framework to help you set loving limits and reconnect with your child without the daily power struggles.

Hi, I’m Michelle Holdeman, founder of our group practice  

Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist

With over 10 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families through life’s emotional ups and downs. I firmly believe that play is one of the most powerful tools we have to help kids express what they can’t always put into words. I started New Connections Mental Health to create a safe, supportive space where families feel seen, and where kids and teens can build the emotional skills they need to thrive. Today, I’m expanding that mission through a growing group practice—bringing together compassionate, skilled therapists who share a passion for helping families in Hays, Kansas and surrounding areas feel more connected, confident, and hopeful so they can decrease the daily chaos, emotional meltdowns and thrive in their parenthood.

Parenting a child with big feelings doesn’t make you a bad parent it makes you a brave one.

Whether you're navigating tantrums, teen shutdowns, or anything in between, we're here to help your family reconnect, reset, and thrive.

Testimonials

“I’m very grateful for your wisdom! You are so gifted at your profession!”

“Thank you so much for helping me with my child. You have no idea how much we appreciate it and how much you mean to the both of us!”

“I hope you know how much you mean to us. You are incredibly talented and came into our lives at the exact right time. Thank you for supporting and loving us. Your work has made a world of difference in our trajectory and healing. We love you very very much!”

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