Our TEAM
Find the Therapist for You!
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Locations - South Central Iowa/Indianola - Des Moines Area
N. Joel Fry, MSW, LISW is president and co-founder of TEAM Restoration Ministries. He is a husband, father of 9, 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, served 14 years in the Iowa House of Representatives and has significant experience teaching at the college level. He has also served as an elder in his local church. Joel preaches and speaks frequently, and he and his wife, Heather, volunteer with local, state, and national marriage initiatives and together have provided foster care for 9 children and adopted 5 international children.
His counseling experience and interests include the areas of pre-marriage, marriage, individual, family, adolescent, foster/adoptive issues and grief and loss therapy. Joel is also a marriage intensive therapist, helping couples heal their marriage in 3- and 5-day events. 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 marriage intensives, seminars or retreats in the areas of leadership, team building, strategic planning, grief and loss/hospice care, aging, foster/adoptive, and marriage and family issues. His wife Heather is available to speak on women's issues, marriage, parenting, and spiritual growth.
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Locations - Indianola & Des Moines Area
Brent 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 Masters of Arts in Counseling through Liberty University.
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 provides counseling to individuals, families and couples. He relies on the Bible as the foundation of truth as he works toward the goal of helping others find health, peace, and joy in their lives.
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Cindy is passionate about partnering with others in their journeys of growth and healing. She earned her BA at Central College (Pella, IA) and her MA in Counseling Ministry at Lincoln Christian Seminary (Lincoln, IL). Cindy was licensed by the State of Illinois from 2001-2009 as a Licensed Professional Counselor and has been licensed by the State of Iowa as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 2008.
Prior to joining TEAM Restoration, 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, couples counseling, 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.
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Locations - Central Iowa and Des Moines Area
Julie 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 MA degree in Professional Counseling through Liberty University. 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.
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Brad’s 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.
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Brianne Hanson is a counselor, who partners with individuals to help them face obstacles inhibiting them from living an abundant life through clinical counseling and spiritual support. Coming from a Cognitive Behavioral approach, Brianne helps clients identify and address dysfunctional patterns and thoughts, develop reframes, 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 emotional 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) 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. Brianne sees clients via telehealth.
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Locations - Iowa City Area and Cedar Rapids Area
Lauren 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).
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Location - Iowa City Area & Washington, Ia
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 Tiffin where he enjoys spending time with his three sons – Micah, Mathias, and Maxwell.
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Location - South Central Iowa
Joseph recognizes Jesus as the Great Healer and acknowledges the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those he serves. He considers it a privilege to walk alongside clients as they pursue growth, healing, and sanctification.
Joseph earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Graceland University and his Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Drake University. He has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 2020. Prior to joining Team Restoration, Joseph gained valuable experience working in community mental health settings, where he supported individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of clinical needs.
Joseph’s counseling philosophy is grounded in Isaiah 61:1: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” Jesus read this passage in the synagogue at the beginning of his ministry. Joseph tries to bring this passage to bear in the lives of those with whom he is in conversation.
Through years of clinical practice, Joseph has developed a clear understanding of mental health as encompassing several foundational elements: embracing truth about oneself, others, and the world; developing healthy stress management skills; and recognizing one’s inherent worth as seen through God’s eyes.
Joseph works with individuals ages 15 and older, providing support for concerns including trauma, anxiety, depression, adjustment challenges, relationship difficulties, and other mental health needs.
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Location - Northwest Iowa Area
Erica 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 works with a broad range of clients from early teens on up. She enjoys getting to know what works for each client individually and helping clients find their own solutions that work best for them. This approach may be challenging for both, but often results in long-term success and healing. Erika works with individuals, couples and families.
Just as Jesus used parables to help people understand the ways of God, Erika utilizes metaphors to help people see things in a different way, bringing a new view and understanding to difficult life circumstances.
Though Erika entered the counseling field later in life, her life experience and faith walk have given her a unique perspective and understanding of individuals in a variety of social, educational, spiritual, and occupational situations. Erika truly desires to see clients grow in their relationships with others, self, and God.
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Location - South Central Iowa
Melanie is passionate about serving the rural Iowa population and helping people discover meaning, hope, and purpose in their life story. Melanie enjoys working with teens, adults, and couples facing a variety of challenges such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship problems, and difficult life transitions.
Melanie received her BA in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bellevue University (2025). She holds a temporary license as a mental health counselor (t-LMHC) in Iowa. Melanie also holds an LPN license, and prior to joining TEAM Restoration worked as a nurse for many years. She and her husband farm in Southern Iowa where they raised their three children.
Melanie practices therapy in an integrative fashion, utilizing interventions from traditional therapy methods, as well as teachings from Scripture, to best serve the individual’s needs and goals. She strives to bring warmth and empathy into the therapy room where her goal is to make all clients feel accepted and supported as she walks alongside them in their journey towards change, acceptance, and growth.
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Location - Quad Cities Area
Sarah is passionate about helping children, teens, and women feel seen, heard, and understood. Sarah has experience supporting individuals through life challenges and healing from abuse. Sarah utilizes an integrative approach that considers the spiritual, emotional, and relational aspects of each person. Her approach blends creativity, challenging thought patterns, and insight to support clients in managing stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma while discovering their authentic selves with an integration of Christian faith.
She is currently a counseling intern with Team Restoration Ministries, supervised by Matt Johnson, LMHC. She is pursuing her master’s degree in Counseling at Colorado Christian University, with a focus on Mental Health Counseling (expected graduation date: December 2026), while receiving additional training in play therapy. Sarah has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Iowa. Additionally has experience in various ministry settings.
Our Office Team
We all have those that make us look good. This crew helps with all the behind the scenes work of counseling. From setting up appointments to paperwork Neil, Diane and Heather can help you with the business side of your counseling process.
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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 oversight for the daily operations and logistics of the ministry. Prior to joining TEAM Restoration Ministries, Neil was a licensed athletic trainer in the State of Iowa practiced Athletic Training for 9 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 TEAM Restoration. 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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Heather Fry takes care of behind the scenes documentation and bookkeeping. Heather graduated from Simpson College with a degree in elementary education with reading, and special education endorsements. She married Joel in 2000 and began teaching at a Christian School that fall. After two years of teaching, she and Joel started a family, then at that time Heather chose to stay at home. This led to her love of homeschooling. Heather and Joel have been blessed to provide foster care and add to their family through international adoption. Over the years Heather has enjoyed supporting her husband and nine children, worship dancing, homeschool supervising, volunteering for a new Christian school, managing a vacation rental used for TEAM intensives, and pursuing her love of writing.
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Diane provides administrative and scheduling support for TEAM. She enjoys using her administrative skills and experience to facilitate intake appointment scheduling and various back-office tasks that allow our therapists to focus on the needs of their clients. She has years of experience in both corporate America and ministry as a project and event manager and executive assistant. She is active in her church and enjoys discipling and supporting women who are looking to Jesus for growth in their identity and emotional and spiritual health. Diane joined TEAM in March of 2024
“TEAM Restoration has been such a blessing to our church! They are a trusted recommendation for college students looking for a safe place to process and heal. It is so comforting to have wise, experienced, and faithful counselors to connect with our students.”
— Olivia Ginther - Veritas Church Staff Member