Our Team

Dr. Michelle Robertson

Executive Director

A Texas native, Dr. Robertson moved to Wichita in 2003 to be a full-time faculty member in the Master of Science in Family Therapy (MSFT) program at Friends University. When introduced to the work of Dr. Robert Melillo, the founder of the Brain Balance program, she was impressed with how well it aligned with her own training, education, and experience, and soon after brought the program to Wichita. While Dr. Robertson lives primarily in Wichita, she serves as the Executive Director for the Wichita, Nashville, and Minneapolis Brain Balance centers.

Dr. Robertson is a tenured professor in the Master of Science in Family Therapy (MSFT) program at Friends University. She 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 in the greater Wichita area. 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 completed the Brain Balance program.

Amy Downing

Director of Operations

Amy Downing was determined to bring the Brain Balance Program® to Wichita after seeing her autistic son make tremendous improvements behaviorally and socially through his enrollment at Brain Balance of Kansas City. Her passion is to bring hope and healing to parents of struggling children through the groundbreaking approach that makes up the Brain Balance Program.

Amy received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and has over 20 years of experience working in Business and Customer Service for several large companies in Wichita, KS and Oklahoma City, OK areas. In addition to one autistic child, Amy has five other children, three of whom have academic and behavioral challenges. Those children have experienced great improvements after participating in the Brain Balance program at the Wichita center.

Carlee Todd

Center Director

Carlee joined the team in 2017, working as a coach and as an assessor, shortly after the center first opened. She also currently serves as the Center Director and loves getting to help children and serve families through the various roles she has. Carlee earned her M.S. in Family Therapy from Friends University. She also received her B.S. in Psychology and Human Services from Friends University, along with a minor in Religion. 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!

Kelli Grant

Program Director

Kelli started at Brain Balance in 2023 and is currently serving as the center's Program Director. Kelli has a passion for helping others discover their full potential and has previously worked in public service and business as a private coach. Since receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s at Wichita State University, she has taught college courses in both Criminal Justice and Sociology. Kelli has a passion for community wellness and believes that Brain Balance has a tremendous impact on improving overall wellness. She is thrilled to join the team at Brain Balance and to see progress in people who are enrolled. Kelli is excited to help make breakthroughs possible!

Caylee Irving

Lead Coach & Assessor

Caylee has been working at Brain Balance since 2021 and is one of our veteran coaches. She started as a coach and over time advanced her skills to become an Assessor, developing the necessary leadership skills to become Lead Coach. In addition to her strong leadership, Caylee also has a heart for helping others. 
Watching her brother learn to work with his diagnosis of Autism drew her to work in a field dedicated to serving others. This has directed her path as she graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Wichita State University in 2021.  She is currently working towards her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology and will graduate in 2023! She is looking forward to continuing to work with kids and adults to see them progress and grow over time at Brain Balance.  

Erin Downing

Coach

Erin is our most veteran coach who has been working at Brain Balance since August of 2020. Erin was enrolled as a student in our program prior to her employment and experienced significant changes in herself. This experience gives her a unique purpose and insight into what Brain Balance can accomplish in the lives of children and their families. Erin is a strong brainstormer who strives to create new ideas to engage children in different ways while staying focused on the goal of helping them generate the changes needed to transform their lives.
She continues to be a strong advocate for our students and holds a strong expertise when it comes to the efficiency of our program nights. She loves Brain Balance because of its love and appreciation for helping children grow in so many different ways. 

Christina Wankum

Receptionist & Coach

Christina has been with Brain Balance since August of 2022 and is currently serving as the morning receptionist and Coach. In addition to her office duties, she also assists with our program delivery. 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 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. She has a heart for coaching which also led her into her role of Head Coach of Disc Golf at Hesston College. The desire to foster compassion-driven growth amidst hard places, inspires her in her work with kids and their families at Brain Balance.

Brayden Donn

Evening Receptionist

Brayden has been at Brain Balance since June of 2022 and is currently serving as our evening receptionist. He was a part of our Brain Balance program and believes in the ability of our program and coaches to benefit children. He is so proud to be a part of such a large impact. Brayden attends Andover Central High School and is involved in band and choir. These experiences have taught him how to be a part of a whole and have translated over to his work at Brain Balance. Brayden is a positive and encouraging presence at our front desk who is always willing to help out and interact with anyone who walks through the front door. 

He really enjoys the staff and general atmosphere of Brain Balance as it offers a safe and encouraging place to grow. The desire to encourage and provide a warm space for kids is what Brayden will continue to take into his work at the front desk. 

Meghan Low

Lead Assessor & Coach

Meghan has been at Brain Balance since November of 2022. She came to Brain Balance because of a desire to work with people. She was a quick learner who dove into the methods that drive changes in the Brain Balance program. This led her into her role of Lead Assessor and to specialize in the work with our 1:1 program students. She has a knack for meeting kids where they are and loves the fun environment that Brain Balance provides along with hearing the inspiring growth stories that our parents share! 

Meghan graduated from Friends University with a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice and is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Sports. As a former college softball player, her goal is to help student athletes progress through the emotions that come with sport. She is looking forward to continuing to do similar things at Brain Balance, as she helps kids progress through our program and help them become the best they can be. 

Caitlin Richmeier

Assessor & Coach

Caitlin has been at Brain Balance since October of 2022 and is currently serving as an Assessor and Coach. She came to Brain Balance through her degree program at Friends University as an Intern. She completed her internship and graduated from Friends University in December 2022 with her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Services and has continued with the Brain Balance team.

Caitlin has a strong passion for helping others and brings this into her work as a patient care technician at the hospital and her role as a CNA the past nine years. She loves watching Brain Balance students achieve their goals through the program. Caitlin is a consistent and compassionate member of our coaching team and brings a very calm presence to her relationships with the students.