Hana Carr

“Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.” - Brene Brown

Growing up in the heart of the Midwest, I've been deeply moved by the pressing need for improved mental health care in rural communities, having grown up in the close-knit areas of South Dakota and Wisconsin. My mission is to bridge this gap by offering tailored mental health services to my hometown of Huron, SD, while advocating for accessible and high-quality mental health care.

After completing my high school education in Wisconsin, I pursued my academic journey at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Marketing. After spending some time in the field, I discovered a calling rooted in my core values—assisting others and championing mental health. This realization led me back to Huron, where I embarked on the Clinical Mental Health graduate program at SDSU in 2022, with a projected graduation in Summer 2024. Alongside my Clinical Mental Health focus, I have completed phases 1 and 2 of my Play Therapy coursework and will complete phase 3 in Summer 2024, in addition to completing level 1 training in Gottman Couples Therapy. Starting my internship this year, I plan to continue my specialty of Play Therapy, and continue training in Gottman Couples Therapy and Synergetic and Family Play Therapy.

My therapeutic approach blends cognitive-behavioral and person-centered modalities, integrating mindfulness-based interventions and leveraging Play Therapy techniques. Central to my practice is the establishment of trust and the creation of a safe, validating space where individuals feel truly seen and valued. Through my experience as a Case Manager and Mental Health Intern in community mental health settings, I've worked with diverse age groups, addressing an array of concerns such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, and family conflicts. Utilizing Play Therapy, I've assisted children in navigating emotional hurdles like impulsivity, emotional expression, trauma, and social and sensory processing difficulties. Passionate about guiding individuals, families, and couples through their unique narratives, I am committed to empowering them to rewrite their stories through the healing process of therapy.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and dog Leo, spending quality time with family and friends, traveling, and exploring nature through hiking, walking, and skiing.

“Play is the child’s symbolic language of self-expression and can reveal what the child has experienced, reactions to what was experienced, feelings about what was experienced, what the child wishes, wants, or needs, and the child’s perception of self.” - Garry L. Landreth