Team Members

N. Joel Fry, MSW, LISW

President/Therapist & Speaker

N. Joel Fry, MSW, LISW is president and co-founder of TEAM Restoration Ministries. He is a husband, father and elder in his church, and is committed to seeing lives and relationships restored. Joel earned his BA at Simpson College, and earned his Master of Social Work (MSW) and Aging Studies Certificate from the University of Iowa. He is a State of Iowa Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). He formerly served as an administrator with a hospice organization and has significant experience teaching at the college level. Joel preaches and speaks frequently, and he and his wife, Heather, volunteer with local, state and national marriage initiatives. His counseling experience and interests include the areas of pre-marriage, marriage, individual, family, adolescent, and grief and loss therapy. He believes in the sanctity of forgiveness as the key to emotional and spiritual health, and uses a biblical approach to counseling.

Joel is available to facilitate seminars or retreats in the areas of leadership, team building, strategic planning, grief and loss/hospice care, aging, and marriage and family issues. His wife Heather is available to speak on women's issues, marriage, parenting, and spiritual growth.

Serving: Decatur, IA (Trinity Christian Church), Indianola, IA (Indianola Community Church, First Baptist Church), Pleasant Hill, IA (Rising Sun Church of Christ), Waukee, IA (Westview Church)


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Cindy Pommrehn, MACM, LMHC

Counselor/Therapist

Cindy Pommrehn is a Christian counselor with TEAM Restoration Ministries and is passionate about partnering with others in their journeys of growth and healing. She earned her BA at Central College (Pella, IA) and her Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry (MACM) at Lincoln Christian Seminary (Lincoln, IL). Cindy was licensed by the State of Illinois from 2001-2009 as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has been licensed by the State of Iowa as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) since 2008. Prior to joining TEAM Restoration Ministries, Cindy worked in a higher education setting primarily in the areas of counseling and teaching. She also served with a counseling ministry in central Illinois for 10 years. Her counseling experience and interests include working with adult females, children, and families in a variety of areas. She approaches counseling with intentional integration of theology and psychology. Cindy is also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and is a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor.

Serving: Ankeny, IA (First Church of Christ, Prairie Ridge Church), Pleasant Hill, IA (New Life Church)


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Brent Douglas, MA, LMHC

Counselor/Therapist

Brent Douglas, MA, LMHC is a counselor with TEAM Restoration Ministries, who is committed to honoring Christ and joining with others to see God's transforming work in their lives.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Biblical Studies at Grace University (Omaha, NE) and his Master of Arts degree in Counseling through Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA). He is licensed by the state of Iowa as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

Working in the mental health field since 2002, he has served in a variety of roles, primarily working with young men, children, adolescents, and families. Brent has also enjoyed his experience ministering and serving in a local church setting.

Brent is available to provide counseling to individuals, families, and couples. He relies on the Bible as the foundation of truth as he works towards the goal of helping others find health, peace, and joy in their lives.

Serving: Indianola, IA (Indianola Community Church), Pleasant Hill, IA (New Life Church)


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Julie Porter, MA, LMHC

Counselor/Therapist

Julie Porter is a counselor with TEAM Restoration Ministries, who has a passion to come alongside individuals, couples, and families offering them faith, hope, love, and healing through the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Julie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education – Spanish at the Wichita State University and her Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling through Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA). She is licensed in the state of Iowa as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

Julie and her husband Craig grew up in Iowa and moved back in 2013; her husband served in the United States Air Force for 25 years, so they and their 3 children lived in Kansas, Guam, and North Carolina.

Julie has experience teaching and ministering to teens, women, and couples; however, she enjoys working with people from all age groups and of every background. Isaiah 61:1-4 echoes Julie’s heart for her clients; she desires to see prisoners set free, to comfort and provide for those who grieve, and to listen to the pain but point others to the joy, praise, and beauty that can come from life’s heartaches and trials.

Serving: Ankeny, IA (First Family Church, Prairie Ridge), Marshalltown, IA (New Hope Christian Church), Pleasant Hill, IA (New Life Church)


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Matt Johnson, M Div., LMHC

Counselor/Therapist

Matt Johnson is a therapist who works out of the Iowa City area. Matt is passionate about supporting individuals, marriages and families through a strong counseling relationship. Through personal experience he understands that life is messy and broken but there is hope through the Gospel to anyone in any situation. His goal is to come along side each client and help them reach their mental and/or spiritual health goals. His areas of specialty include marriage counseling, young adults, trauma, depression, anxiety, and male clients. Matt offers a Biblical counseling approach that is intended to allow God to do the healing work.

Matt received his undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa and his Masters in Youth and Family Ministry from Denver Seminary. Matt graduated in 2018 with his Master’s in Counseling from Midwestern Seminary. He has over 10 years of involvement within the areas of children, youth, college and family ministries which has given him a variety of counseling experiences.

He and his wife, Rebekah, currently reside in Iowa City where he enjoys spending time with his three sons – Micah, Mathias, and Maxwell.

Serving:Iowa City, IA (Genesis Church, Veritas Church), Washington, IA (CityPoint Church)


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Erika Adolph

Temp-LMHC

Erika Adolph, MA, tLMHC, is a counselor working out of Spencer in Northwest Iowa where she has resided for over 18 years with her husband, David, and their 2 children. Erika has her temporary license in Mental Health Counseling in the State of Iowa. She completed both her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and her Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling at Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA). Erika is also certified through EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) to provide Equine Assisted Psychotherapy which uses horses to assist clients in an experiential therapy to work through challenges, relationships, and reach therapy goals. Erika truly desires to see clients grow in their relationships with others, self, and God.
Serving: Spencer (Faith Lutheran Church) 


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Lauren Vogel, MA, T-LMHC

Lauren Vogel is a therapist serving clients in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area. She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communication Studies from the University of Iowa and later earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University (2021). She holds a temporary license to practice mental health counseling in the state of Iowa and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC).

Lauren has experience working with a diverse client base in a variety of settings, including outpatient and school-based care, and inpatient residential treatment. Her experiences and interests include working with children, adolescents, and families on issues related to life transitions, relational and spiritual concerns, trauma care, and depression and anxiety, including concerns of suicidal ideation and self-injury. She enjoys adapting her approach to fit the unique needs of each client.

Lauren chose this profession because she believes in the power of the Gospel, displayed in the therapeutic relationship, to transform lives and empower the pursuit of healing and flourishing in every area of life. She believes there is inherent worth and beauty within every individual and hope possible within every story. Her heart for all of her clients is that they would ultimately experience Christ as the true "Wonderful Counselor" in all of life (Isaiah 9:6, ESV).
Serving: Iowa City (Genesis Church), Marion (Antioch Christian Church)


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Kayla Overpeck, MA, T-LMFT

Kayla is a therapist with TEAM Restoration Ministries and is passionate about coming alongside others to help them grow and heal relationally, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Kayla earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University (West Palm Beach, FL) and her Master of Art degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University (Scottsdale, AZ). She holds a temporary license in the state of Iowa. Kayla has experience working with a diverse range of people including elementary, middle, and high school ages, adults, couples, and families. Kayla believes Christ is our ultimate Healer and that He can heal any areas of life and provide his surpassing peace (Phil. 4 6-7). Her desire is to see clients experience this truly healing power and peace in every area of life through Christ's love and grace.

Kayla grew up in Northwest Iowa, but left in 2014 to pursue her college career. She moved back to the area with her husband, Matt, and their two sons in 2023.
Serving: Alta (Summit Evangelical Free Church)


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Drake Epkes, MA, T-LMHC

Counselor/Therapist

Drake Epkes is a counselor that works to support those in the Iowa City area. Drake has a passion to come alongside others and help them to see how the gospel of Jesus Christ brings comfort and healing to people in all of life’s varied difficulties. Drake has had experience working with college age students, teens, as well as adults for the past few years in a ministry setting. His areas that he has worked with the most are anxiety, depression, trauma, men’s issues, and relational challenges. Drake’s desire is to bring people to God through his word in a joint effort to discover a path towards healing.

Drake received his undergraduate degree in Business Management from the University of Iowa in 2014 and his Masters in Counseling from Crown College in 2023.

He and his wife (Paige) live in Iowa City with their two beautiful girls - Zaida Belle and Hattie Rose.

Serving: Parkview Church, Iowa City


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Brad Virkler, MA, T-LMHC

Counselor/Therapist

Brad Virkler is a counselor serving clients in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area. His desire is to build a confidential and safe environment where clients can explore how biological, psychological, social, and spiritual considerations impact their wellbeing. A Biblical worldview is foundational to Brad’s outlook. He believes that the power of the Gospel brings identity, peace, wholeness, and healing to broken lives and situations. His clients include adolescents through adults - individuals, couples, and families dealing with personal mental health concerns, relational challenges, adjustment transitions, trauma, and spiritual issues. He hopes that his clients feel heard and understood in a non-judgmental and comfortable space.

Brad received a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Iowa and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University. His background includes youth sports instruction, intercollegiate athletics, church leadership, and business ownership. He and his wife Kelsey live in North Liberty with their four children.

Serving: Parkview and Veritas Church, Iowa City


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Brianne Hanson, MA, t-LMHC

Counselor/Therapist

Brianne Hanson is a counselor working out of the Quad Cities area, who partners with individuals to help them face obstacles inhibiting them from living an abundant life (John 10:10) through clinical counseling and spiritual support. Coming from a Cognitive Behavioral approach, Brianne helps clients identify and address dysfunctional patterns and thoughts, reframe, and acquire tools to build a holistically healthy lifestyle. For those desiring Christian integration, Brianne has training to weave biblical truth into the clinical process.

Brianne graduated from Life Pacific University (San Dimas, CA) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies and a Minor in Counseling Psychology in 2004. Prior to becoming a counselor, she worked with women in non-profit settings and ministry contexts to support their spiritual growth and healing through mentorship and pastoral counseling. She has since earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA). She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and holds a temporary license as a mental health counselor (tLMHC) in the state of Iowa.

Brianne works with individuals and couples with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-concept issues, ADHD, relationship strain, and marital conflict.

Serving: Quad Cities Area


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Neil Nelsen, MA

Chief Operating Officer/Speaker

Neil Nelsen, MA is the Chief Operating Officer for TEAM Restoration Ministries.  Neil began working part-time for TEAM Restoration Ministries in January of 2009, and then came on full time as the Chief Operating Officer in September of 2010.  Neil provides the oversight for the daily operations and logistics of the ministry.  Prior joining TEAM Restoration Ministries, Neil was a licensed athletic trainer in the State of Iowa and had practiced Athletic Training for 7 years where he had held positions at Stadia Sports Medicine in West Des Moines, the Des Moines Menace, and also Head Athletic Trainer at Simpson College.  While at Simpson College, Neil was also an instructor in the Exercise Science Department.  Neil’s passion to see people restored through Jesus’ love and grace is what attracted him to come and be a part of TRM. He believes that through the peace and understanding God brings to those who desire it, is what can provide people the freedom and hope for the future. 


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