Brain Balance Center of Woodbury – Meet Our Staff
Our Team
Dr. Michelle Robertson
Executive Director
Dr. Michelle Robertson has spent her 25+ year professional career helping others improve their lives. A Texas native, Dr. Robertson moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 2003 to become a full-time faculty member in the Master of Science in Family Therapy (MSFT) program at Friends University, where she is now tenured.
When introduced to the Brain Balance program in 2014, she was impressed with how well it aligned with her own training, education, and experience, and worked to bring the program to Wichita. She was thrilled to expand her Brain Balance influence into both the Nashville and Minneapolis metro areas in the years following. Brain Balance has greatly enhanced her professional development, and she has even co-authored a study on the influence of the program on increased emotional functioning and anxiety reduction in children.
Dr. Robertson earned a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Louisiana at Monroe, a master’s degree from Abilene Christian University, and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Psychology from Midwestern State University. She practices as a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT #303) in Kansas and regularly delivers presentations and workshops on a variety of topics including parenting, relational health, ethical practice, and family dynamics. In addition to her private therapy practice, her work as a tenured professor, and her involvement with Brain Balance, Dr. Robertson is a member of the Wichita Junior League and a member of The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She and her husband have two children, both of whom have successfully completed the Brain Balance program.
Amy Downing
Director of Operations
Amy has been part of Brain Balance since September 2016. She has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma. She was instrumental in bringing Brain Balance to Wichita, KS. Amy acted as the Center Director for the Wichita center from 2018-2022 before transitioning to the Director of Operations for Brain Balance of Nashville, Wichita, and Minneapolis. She is a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist through IBCCES earned Dec. 2019, a certified Functional Medicine coach Aug. 2021, and has over 6+ yrs experience supporting families and students through their Brain Balance journey. Having an autistic son herself, she saw him make tremendous gains behaviorally, socially, and academically through completing the Brain Balance program in Kansas City. Amy’s passion is to bring hope and healing to parents of struggling children through the groundbreaking approach that makes up the Brain Balance program.
Carlee Todd
Director of Staff Development
Carlee joined the Brain Balance team in 2017, shortly after the center opened, working as a coach and as an assessor. Since that time, she has served the center at every level, gaining expertise in program protocols and center development, and helping hundreds of children and their families along the way. Carlee currently serves as the Director of Staff Development wherein she provides high quality support and training for all Brain Balance employees. Carlee earned her M.S. in Family Therapy from Friends University and is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Kansas. Previous work experience for Carlee includes private practice therapy, working in a local church counseling center, working as a therapist case manager at a residential treatment facility for adolescent girls, and teaching parenting classes for a local pregnancy crisis center. While Carlee was completing her certification in play therapy at the KC Play Therapy Institute, she also enjoyed leading therapeutic play groups at preschools and working with mothers on attachment-based play therapy activities in order to help facilitate secure attachment relationships. Out of all of the work Carlee has been involved in, getting to watch the students work hard to achieve their goals while they are enrolled in the Brain Balance program is the most rewarding!
Charlotte King
Assistant Director
Charlotte has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Ball State University. She has been at Brain Balance since July 2022 and serves as the Assistant Director for the center. She came to Brain Balance because she has a passion for helping others, holistic alternatives, and the Brain Balance mission. She is inspired by the success stories of students and how hard they have worked to meet their goals and accomplishments.
Ana Olson
Assistant Program Director
Ana loves about working for Brain Balance because she loves learning about our holistic approach and helping people succeed long term. Being able to be part of that journey brings her immense joy. Ana’s passion is being able to create opportunities for individuals who may have barriers or challenges stopping them from being as confident and independent as they can be. Ana feels her strengths are serving and thinking about the big picture. Ever since she was a child helping others in any capacity that she could was something she really enjoyed and brought her great satisfaction. Ana has a bachelor’s degree in Biology and is pursuing a master’s degree in special education.
Greta Knutson
Lead Performance and Exercise Coach
Greta has been working at Brain Balance since May 2022. She currently works as our lead performance and exercise coach and strives to deliver our students a great Brain Balance experience. She has always had a passion for working with children and this is what led her to join our team. With her own personal experiences of mental health struggles, she truly believes in the Brain Balance mission of helping each student find ways to succeed in life.
Greta graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She plans on continuing her education to become a Mental Health Counselor for children. She loves working with our students and looks forward to continuing to make a positive impact on each individual's life.
Madelyn Dick
Performance and Exercise Coach
Madelyn has been with Brain Balance since October of 2022 and works as one of our highly trained performance and exercise coaches. She came to Brain Balance because of her continued desire to work with children and families. She believes in the Brain Balance mission and has a heart for helping children while meeting them where they are at. Helping children achieve their goals to reach their full potential in a fun environment is something she is passionate about. Madelyn loves working with our students and is looking forward to continuing to watch them grow here at Brain Balance. Madelyn is currently working towards obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she will graduate in 2024. She will continue on to receive her Masters in Occupational Therapy.
Christa Eggimann
Performance and Exercise Coach
Christa joined the Brain Balance team in May of 2023, and she loves that Brain Balance offers hope and practical tools to help improve people’s lives. Her passion is helping people overcome their challenges and live up to their potential. Her strengths include organizing, strategizing, problem solving, communicating, and motivating others. Christa has a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry from Bethel University. She likes to go out to eat with friends, watch movies, dance, and go for horseback rides. She also loves to travel, and her favorite country that she has traveled to is India.
Jake Opatz
Performance and Exercise Coach
Jake joined the Brain Balance team in February of 2024 and loves working at Brain Balance because he can use his skills as a performance and exercise coach. He feels the knowledge and experience with kids will develop skills that will eventually translate into his future nursing practice. Jake has a true passion for helping people. His end goal is to be a critical care flight nurse and be there for people who may be experiencing some of their toughest moments. He feels his strengths lie in the ability to be patient, empathetic, observant, flexible, inclusive and positive. Jake graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River falls with a degree in biology and is now working towards his nursing degree.
Ariana Awiszus
Intern
Ariana loves working with Brain Balance because she has always been fascinated by the brain and how it works. She also loves working with children and seeing their growth over time. She is passionate about helping others and seeing their success. Ariana is a very outgoing, positive person, and she prides herself on these being two of her strengths. She also likes to motivate those around her and considers herself to be a very patient person. She will be attending Notre Dame University in the fall of 2024 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Behavior. Ariana has been a competitive dancer for the past 10 years.
Theri Edwards
Executive Administrator
Theri has been with Brain Balance since October of 2022 and is serving as the Executive Administrator for Brain Balance of Woodbury, Wichita, and Nashville. Theri has 30+ years in an Office Administration environment. Her work journey has always been in the technical field so working at Brain Balance is a dream come true for her, she finds working in the rich environment of changing lives is where she was always meant to be. Because she has spent many years learning how to navigate PTSD from past trauma and walking the very rocky path of self discovery she has enormous compassion for those that Brain Balance helps.
Theri is also certified as therapeutic coach graduating from the Meta academy in 2007 as well as a certified Reflexologist graduating from the Community College of Southern Nevada in 2000. She is an avid reader and will read just about anything she can get her hands on. She believes that one should never stop learning and striving to explore themselves and the world around them. When time allows she loves traveling and finding the path less traveled in whatever country or state she is in. Finding that out of the way, hole in the wall family restaurant in the middle of Italy, Greece or middle of nowhere Kentucky is always a thrill for her.
Deanna Mosher
Client Relations Manager
Deanna has been working at Brain Balance since September of 2022, using her wide range of skills in the role of Client Relations Manager. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Wichita State University, and she earned her Master of Science in Family Therapy degree from Friends University. She had several years of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist prior to joining the Brain Balance team. Her strong listening skills and empathy allow her to connect on a deep level with families who are exploring options for various struggles and/or to improve their overall functioning and well-being.
Christina Wankum
Client Relations
Christina has been with Brain Balance since August of 2022 and assists with new inquiries and assessment appointments. Because of her personal journey in learning to manage her ADHD, she has a passion for service and believes in the Brain Balance mission of helping anyone who is struggling with the hard emotions that often accompany behavioral and learning challenges.
Christina received her bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Public Relations Communication in 2020 from Emporia State University and is currently working on her Master of Science in Family Therapy degree at Friends University. The desire to foster compassion-driven growth amidst hard places in life, inspires her in her work with those who come to Brain Balance.
Emma Moseley
Virtual Program Director
Emma has dedicated her time and education to supporting students who struggle academically and has been with Brain Balance for over 4 years. In addition to her work with Brain Balance, Emma is also a certified dyslexic tutor. She is passionate about helping students reach their full potential and gain confidence along the way.
Emma holds a Bachelor of Journalism and Public Relations with a Minor in English from the University of Mississippi, and a Masters of Secondary Education and Humanities from Grand Canyon University. Emma is originally from Minnesota but has since lived in Mississippi and New York, though her travels have taken her all over the map. She currently resides in Nashville with her basset hound, Harold. She's always looking for her next adventure outdoors, whether it's a hike or floating in a lake.
Talia Bauchmoyer
Virtual Coach
Talia has been with Brain Balance since July of 2022. Talia heard about Brain Balance five years prior while she was working in a daycare and was inspired to hear about the impacts Brain Balance has on kids and adults. Talia has been working with our virtual program, coaching and offering those big impacts that initially drew her in. She graduated from Emporia State University in December of 2022 with a double major in Psychology and Business and loves applying her knowledge of human behavior into her work with our enrollees.
Talia’s down to earth and energetic personality give her the ability to meet students where they are at and encourage them to work hard for their changes. She loves working with the kids and adults and being able to walk with them on their journey through the program.
Lauren Maclean
Virtual Coach
Lauren loves working at Brain Balance because she gets to make a positive impact on people’s lives every day. Lauren is attending Gustavus Adolphus College where she is working towards her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minoring in Gender and Women’s Studies. She plans to go on to earn her master’s degree in Sports Psychology. She feels her experience at Brain Balance helps her become more well rounded in a field that she is passionate about. Lauren has always had a passion for helping people. She has a deep drive to support people in achieving their mental and emotional wellbeing for peak performance. Lauren has excellent communication skills, incredible patience, and excels at being able to adapt to different learning styles. She enjoys utilizing these skills while delivering the Brain Balance program through virtual coaching.
BRAIN BALANCE CENTER OF WOODBURY
Brain Balance helps children who struggle behaviorally, socially, and academically through a holistic and integrated approach that is customized to meet the needs of each child.
Location
700 Commerce Drive
Suite 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
Phone
Hours
Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday: By Appointment Only