OUR TEAM
Get in TouchPastoral/Biblical Counselors
Clay Thomas, MDiv. (Staff)
About Clay
Clay is the Community Care Pastor for Christ Community Church. He has more than 35 years of experience as a Pastor and Counselor, including 7 years on active duty with the US Army Reserves. He holds a Masters of Divinity Degree from Covenant Theological Seminary. He feels that his faith, experience as a pastor and being a member of the Armed Forces help him to identify with and disciple individuals and couples through counseling. Clay’s approach to counseling integrates Biblical principles with self-analysis to focus on solutions for the problems presented. He has been married to Karla for over 40 years. They have a daughter and a son as well as 6 grandchildren.
Erin Johnson, MAPC (Staff)
About Erin
Erin Johnson is the Care & Counseling Director for Christ Community Church. Erin has been on staff since August of 2016 and has enjoyed watching the ministry grow with the Lord’s guidance and direction! Erin holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University and thrives on being able to incorporate Biblical foundations and knowledge into the counseling process. Erin counsels individuals and also works closely with volunteer lay leaders who shepherd the support groups that are available. Erin is a military spouse and has been married to her husband for over 20 years. Together they share the privilege of raising two teenage boys!
Steve Jones, M.S., PhD, Chaplain
About Steve
Steve Jones is a biblically-based lay Chaplain with over 30 years of experience. He is a certified Crisis Intervention Counselor and an ordained minister. He was a Chaplain with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, a veteran of the US Marine Corps, and has served many years in both the private and public sectors. Steve holds a Ph.D. in Business and executive certificates from Harvard and MIT. He is a part-time Adjunct Professor at the University of LaVerne MBA program.
Steve specializes in helping folks who are walking through bitterness, betrayal, and grief, and then gain a toolbox of practical biblical-based application skills that can lead to spiritual growth, and/or finding one’s purpose. Using his past experiences in corporate life, as a military veteran, a small business entrepreneur, consultant, missionary, pastor, elder, and chaplain, Steve helps others see the light at the end of the tunnel. He also has a heart for ministry professionals, missionaries, and those suffering from church-related hurts by offering confidential soul care. Steve has been married to Kathy for 45 years who serves alongside him in ministry and life.
Steve offers in-person counseling, as well as phone sessions for those who need that convenience and does not have a fee for sessions.
Beth Steffaniak, MAMFC
About Beth
Beth Steffaniak is a Biblical Counselor who holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. She has biblically counseled individuals and couples for over 18 years and informally counseled within the church setting for over 30 years.
Beth specializes in helping people with such issues as forgiveness, grief, anxiety, communication, spiritual growth, and/or finding one’s purpose. She also is passionate about helping wives and couples who have been wounded by the church or church ministry, drawing upon her own experiences from the past as a pastor’s wife and pastor’s daughter. Beth makes it her priority to listen to your story, while also helping you find practical strategies from God and His Word, encouraging greater healing and freedom through Christ. She offers in-person counseling, as well as phone counseling for those who need that convenience.
Beth is married to Gary, the Pastor of Discipleship at Christ Community Church. She has served alongside Gary in the ministry for their 36 years of marriage. Beth and Gary have three sons, one daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. Beth has also authored 4 books with a Bible study focus and blogged for over 13 years on Christian living and marriage.
Dan Wood, EdD, MDiv, BCPC, CEC
About Dan
Daniel R. Wood is a veteran of 28 years in the U.S. Army. He currently operates DRW Advisors, LLC assisting executives and entrepreneurs in the pursuit of excellence in leadership and professional growth. He is certified as an Executive Coach, Leadership Coach, Social and Emotional Intelligence Coach and DISC Behavioral Analyst. He is also a certified SYMBIS premarital counseling facilitator. Dan has also been board certified as a Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor by the College of Pastoral Supervision (CPSP) and Psychotherapy and serves as the Convener for the Pinehurst Chapter of CPSP. He works part time for First Health Moore Regional Hospital as a Clinical Chaplain and Clinical Pastoral Education adjunct instructor. Dan does not bill insurance. He sees clients virtually.
Dan holds an Ed. D. in Community Care and Counseling: Traumatology and earned a Master of Divinity, Masters in Religious Education, and Masters in Biblical Studies through Liberty University. Dan works with clients across the spectrum of psychological problems yet specializes in those with trauma impacts. He is married to the former Kelly Graham. They are blessed with three sons, three daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren.
Professional Counselors
Debbie Brown, LMFT
About Debbie
Debbie is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 30 years of experience working with couples, families and individuals in a private practice setting. Over the last seven years she has maintained a part-time private practice while working full-time at church as the Director of Family Ministries. She returned to full-time private practice in November 2017.
Her practice focuses on the treatment of anxiety, depression, grief and loss, abuse, trauma, chronic medical, relationship issues (pre-marital counseling, stepfamily dynamics, infidelity and divorce). As a result of her experiences as a child growing up in a military family and then later as a military spouse, she works closely with military families as they adjust to the unique challenges and blessings of military life. She only sees clients virtually.
She offers biblical, Christ-centered counseling and believes that ultimate healing comes from God. Her clinical framework is based on an emotionally focused/cognitive behavioral approach. Insurance accepted includes: Tricare, BCBS, First Carolina Care.
Promise Counseling: Pamela Cassellius EdD, LCMHCS, NCC
About Pamela
Pamela is the owner of Promise Counseling, PLLC which is located at 101 Monroe Street in Carthage. Her practice has several associates available to counsel children, teens and adults. Pamela is also a full-time Associate Professor in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Colorado Christian University. Her practice is able to bill insurance.
Kara Jensen, LCMHC
About Kara
Kara has been a licensed therapist for over 15 years and is currently the owner of a small private practice, Counseling in the Pines PLLC. She is committed to helping people heal and grow stronger as they walk through life’s ups and downs. Her passion focuses on helping people get unstuck and move forward with new found strengths and perspectives. In her work she combines the practicality of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with the depth of psychodynamic therapy to provide individuals and couples a safe, supportive space in which to understand the unhealthy patterns in their lives and explore new ways of thinking, feeling, and engaging with the world.
She offers individual, couples, and family counseling in North Carolina, Florida and Utah. She enjoys working with teenagers and adults. Because of her Christian faith, she offers therapy that is rooted in love, compassion and respect for each person as an individual with unique needs and perspectives. Kara believes the decision to seek professional counsel is a significant step in your growth and healing. She would welcome the opportunity to walk alongside you on your journey to freedom. While Kara does not bill insurance, she is covered under out of network benefits for most insurances, including TriCare. She also uses a sliding scale fee structure to help more people receive the counseling they need.
Ron Webb, MDiv, MA, LMFT
About Ron
Ron is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Pastoral Counselor who uses various types of mental health and relational treatment therapies for couples, families, groups and individuals. Ron practices in person and online Christ-centered and faith-based therapy for Thrive Counseling and Consulting PLLC. He has office hours in Pinehurst on Tuesdays. He also serves as the Director of Professional Development for Thrive. Ron is trained in various modes of trauma therapy, including Eye Movement De-Sensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Emotional Focused Trauma Therapy for Couples (EFT). Insurances accepted: Tricare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Optum/United Behavioral Health, MEDCOST, Centerstone, and Aetna.
Ron retired in January of 2017 from the US Army Chaplaincy and continues to maintain his credentials as an ordained minister and pastoral counselor through the Evangelical Free Church of America. He has a passion to help people grow to their full potential in Jesus Christ. He is also committed to working with local churches to help them meet the counseling needs of their congregations through Biblically integrated counseling methods, educational seminars, and retreats. Ron lives in Fayetteville, NC with his wife Lynnette, and has one son and daughter-in-law.
Leah Witenbarger, LCMHCS, NCC, CCMHC
About Leah
Leah is the owner of Family Focus Counseling, PLLC. She has two decades of experience working in the field and is dedicated to working with children (6 and above), adolescents, adults, and couples move through the problems of life to greater emotional and spiritual health. Leah is a military spouse and has a passion for working with military veterans and their families. She provides Christian therapy services which dictates the use of effective professional therapy tools that are available, while maintaining a commitment to Biblical principles. Insurance accepted: Tricare, BCBS, First Carolina Care, Aetna & Cigna.
Leah received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Tennessee Wesleyan College in 2003, and her Master’s in Science of Professional Counseling from Lee University in 2005.
Nichole Surber, LCMHC - Associate
About Nichole
Nichole Surber is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHC-A). She received her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, and she has been practicing with clients since May of 2023. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor with specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitized Reprocessing (EMDR). As a trauma-informed, cognitive behavioral counselor, she works with individuals, couples, and families facing a variety of issues such as boundary establishment, adjustment challenges, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and complex trauma.
Previously, Nichole worked 8 years at a private university in student development serving both as the Director of Student Life and as an adjunct educator in intercultural studies and small groups. She traversed 42 countries over 7 continents both as a team leader and in independent exploration. This experience has afforded her a broadened understanding and appreciation of human development and cultural diversity. Her time away from the counseling office is spent at home educating her three children and working for Thrive Training & Publications. Insurance accepted includes BlueCross/BlueShield, MedCost and Aetna.
Sara Gwaltney - LCMHC-Associate
About Sara
Sara is the sole practitioner of Bluestone Counseling and joins us as a recent graduate of Liberty University with a Master’s degree in professional counseling. She has attained North Carolina licensure as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHC-A). Prior to this, she was a professional school counselor for several years, holding a Master’s degree in school counseling also from Liberty University. Sara is dedicated toward working with individuals of all ages, as well as couples and families. She has a passion for helping all people develop the skills they need to navigate life’s journey in a compassionate environment. Sara does accept BCBS and Aetna insurance and is working toward alignment with other providers.
Life and Health Coaching
Kathleen Veldhuizen, Certified Health Coach and Personal Trainer, Lay Counselor
About Kathleen
Kathleen became a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) in 2009 and a Certified Health Coach (CHC) in 2022, both through the American Council on Exercise. She also has been a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant since 1985 and earned a MS degree in Health Administration in 1999. Kathleen believes that God has given a wonderful gift in the human body and that we show Him an act of stewardship when we care for ourselves. Kathleen also completed Lay Counseling training in 2020.
Kathleen sees coaching as an active partnership with clients. She believes that it is essential to establish trust and confidence in the coaching relationship to affirm personal growth. She feels led to let others tell their stories about their health struggles and set goals that are relevant and solution based. Kathleen assists clients to use effective strategies that facilitate lifestyle change. She believes that all things can be worked through when trust is placed in Jesus Christ.
Kathleen lives with her husband of 38 years in Pinehurst. They moved here in 2016 with their daughter and granddaughter.
Shae Unsworth, Life Coach
About Shae
I am a Moore County native and a Professional Christian Life Coach, certified through Light University. I also am a Lay Counselor and facilitator of GriefShare through Christ Community Church.
I am blessed with a loving husband, with whom I have shared 8 years of marriage. Together, we embrace the joys and complexities of a beautifully blended family, cherishing our four wonderful children and two grandchildren. We have been active attendees of Christ Community Church since 2021, and became members in June 2023. CCC is where we find community and spiritual nourishment.
As a Christian life coach & Lay Counselor, my focus is on helping individuals overcome the difficulties that they face in life, especially in areas of grief and adversity. By drawing from my own personal experiences of facing and conquering numerous trials, I find joy and fulfillment in offering hope to others. I consider myself privileged to be a vessel through which God’s grace and love flow through me to touch the lives of those around me.
It is a true honor to walk alongside individuals through their journey of healing and transformation. I strive to offer ways to work towards helping my clients meet personal and spiritual goals. I hope that together, we will uncover the strength within them to heal and thrive, so that they may live out their God-given purpose with intentionality and faith.
Lay Counselors
Carla Albritton
About Carla
Carla moved here in 2009 with her husband and son. She and her husband have attended CCC since 2013. She was worked as a middle school teacher and fitness instructor; she also has a bachelor’s degree from Radford University in Virginia with a minor in Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, being outside and spending time with her family. Carla became a Lay Counselor because she enjoys listening to people and is passionate about helping others overcome difficulties in their life through Christ.
Cathy Askwith
About Cathy
Cathy moved here in 2018 from upstate New York and has also lived in California and Virginia. She has been married for many years and has 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren. Cathy has completed online degrees from Liberty University including an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Seminary degree in Christian Ministry with a focus on Discipleship. She is currently seeking a Pastoral Counseling Certification. Cathy feels that each class led her toward how God intended her life to be and he would show her what to do when the time came. She has learned that God has given us everything we need to get past trials in our lives. God has also proven to be for her and not against her; he will guide her to the places, people and opportunities where he wants her to serve.
Brenda Brooks
About Brenda
Brenda moved to North Carolina in 2016. She and her husband, Bobby, are retired educators. Brenda enjoys crafts of all kinds and animals, especially dogs. She loves to spend time with her 3 teenage grandchildren.
Brenda became a lay counselor because she felt led by God to use the gift of listening to people. God led her through some very hard times in her life which also played a big part in her decision to give back to others and give them hope through the scriptures that God has a plan and there is always hope in Him.
Josiah Bryant
About Josiah
Josiah grew up in a family of seven, two loving parents and five rambunctious children. After a somewhat nomadic upbringing of family ministry he moved to Moore county in 2012 where he began his career as an equine professional. A few years later he met God’s greatest gift, his wife, Michaela. They are both involved in CCC student ministry and are excited to see how God is working in the lives of our young people.
Despite being raised in a Godly home, Josiah found himself in a downward spiral and desperately needing change. God’s faithfulness shows up when we least expect it. “Jesus found me in my mess, reached in, overwhelmed me with grace and he’s never stopped. If he can change me, there’s hope for everyone.” He believes his own journey of mistakes, guilt, fear, anxiety, addiction, failed relationships, and restoration has given him a passion for loving people right where they are and building meaningful relationships that will lead to joy in understanding who God has created us to be.
Carolyn Carlson
About Carolyn
Carolyn moved to Moore County in 2021 with her husband Tim to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law after he received a bone marrow transplant. Shortly after moving, Tim was admitted to the hospital with a related life-threatening illness. During those weeks, Carolyn began to watch Christ Community Church’s online Sunday services which gave her hope during a desperate time. The following month, Carolyn left her executive career to become a health and wellness coach, leading her to lay counseling.
Carolyn uses her strengths of hope, love, and curiosity to support clients to be better equipped to handle whatever comes their way. She believes the greatest gift she can give her clients is to hold space for them. That is, walking alongside, opening her heart, and offering unconditional support without judgment.
Carolyn serves at the Thursday Night Fellowship Meal and enjoys Life Group. She loves cooking, gardening, camping, and walking their dog, Jax. Her coaching certifications are NBC-HWC, FMCHC, and CCCP.
Ellie Carlson
About Ellie
Ellie came to North Carolina in 1999 with her husband Ken. Ellie is a retired nurse having received her BSN in 1967 from the University of Oklahoma. She was born in Nigeria, attended missionary school in Africa and graduated HS in Asheville NC. She also lived in Germany with her husband. She taught Bible study and counseled women and young people to help them follow the Lord.
Ellie received a challenge from a pastor to give back to the church a gift that could be useful. She prayed about becoming a lay counselor. Ellie is convinced that the power of the Gospel is the only message that breaks the yoke of sin, shines light into darkness, and shatters the bond of addiction. It is the only path to peace and contentment in life.
Jandi Croll
About Jandi
Jandi is from Brazil but has lived in the United States for the last 21 years. She has lived in the Whispering Pines Area since 2008, where she raises her two teenage sons together with her husband of 20 years. She enjoys reading, listening to music, meeting new people, and watching movies with her family. Jandi believes that Jesus is the answer to our cravings to belong and be loved. He is the only one who can turn our darkness into light, heal our soul, and set us free. Through His grace and mercy there is life eternal and life abundant here and now.
Julianti Darmawan
About Julianti
Julianti (Yul) was born in Jakarta Indonesia. Her husband of 35 years is originally from Morgantown, WV. Yul graduated with a BS and MBA in Management from Virginia Tech. Yul received her Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Management from Murdoch University (Perth, Western Australia). She worked in Human Resources before becoming a stay-at-home mom to raise her two children. She has lived in Columbia (South Carolina), Jakarta (Indonesia), Perth (Western Australia), and Redmond (Washington State). She moved from Redmond (Washington State) to Southern Pines in 2022 with her husband. Her two adult children live in the Seattle area. Yul enjoys attending bible studies, reading, taking walks, volunteering at the food bank, spending time with her husband, and making friends. Yul has overcome various life challenges with the help of counseling and feels that she has grown in maturity, compassion, and wisdom. Yul became a Lay Counselor because she feels called to partner with clients to help them navigate through their life obstacles.
Janelle Francis
About Janelle
Janelle is originally from Central Pennsylvania, where she grew up the child of a Pastor. She graduated from Baptist Bible College (now Clarks Summit University) in Clarks Summit, PA with a Bible and Music degree. She is an accomplished piano accompanist who works with local school and church choirs.
Janelle moved to Moore County in 2017 when her husband took a job at Christ Community Church. She and her husband, Dan, have been married since 2005 and have two teenage children.
With almost twenty-years of marriage and ministry experience as a Pastor’s wife, Janelle is a wise and compassionate Lay Counselor who believes in the value of counseling.
Cathy Grimsrud
About Cathy
Cathy was born and raised in Colombia, South America. She moved to Jacksonville, FL in 2001, where all her dad’s side of the family is from. Cathy has completed 9 marathons and although she has not established any world records, the friendships she established have been her biggest accomplishment!
She is passionate about Christ Community Church’s Counseling ministry because she knows this is her way of helping others know Christ like she has been able to know Him, through ups and downs and a lot of love from friends. Cathy is fluent in Spanish.
Cameron Harjung
About Cameron
Cameron is married to Terry for 42 years. They have three grown children and five young grandchildren. Cameron and Terry help facilitate a Co-ed community Bible study and they also co-lead a weekly Life Group in their home. Cameron retired from the medical marketplace in 2015 and he now enjoys golfing, e-biking and flower gardening.
Cameron has learned to live with severe pain from a disease of the spine, Ankylosing Spondylitis. He has also overcome cancer and several major surgeries. He believes his life experiences can be of help to others who may need a listening ear and encouragement. He enjoys life, no matter the circumstance and knows that God is sovereign, believing the Lord has a plan for every struggle that we may go through.
Terry Harjung
About Terry
Terry is originally from Wisconsin. She moved to Southern California after college to serve on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ where she met and married her husband, Cameron in 1982. They have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. Terry has been involved in Bible studies for many years, and she believes God is calling her to give back what she has learned through scripture. She is firm in the foundation that God’s word is the answer for our lives and that in Him we can find freedom, peace, purpose and victory.
Wes Harrison
About Wes
I grew up in the western Panhandle of Texas but have lived in the Pinehurst area for the past 34 years. My wife, Connie, and I have a blended family with 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. With 11 years of experience on staff with The Navigators, I came to understand the significance of having strong Biblical foundations in our lives. These foundations, through both practical and personal experiences, have the power to shape our lives profoundly. I am a good listener and enjoy meeting a variety of people.
I’ve been attending CCC since January 1990, though Connie and I spent several years helping with a church plant before returning full-time in 2009.
My personal mission statement is “to encourage and equip others in their walk of faith.” I strive to help others realize their great worth to Jesus and their importance to the cause of Christ. To be spiritually healthy, we must confront and address the issues that divert us from living out the wonderful purposes Jesus Christ has designed for us.
Tim Keller
About Tim
Tim is from Southern California where he worked in Real Estate for 25 years. He moved to Pinehurst in 2017 to enjoy golf, pickleball and get involved in a church where he could serve his church family and community. He feels that 44 years of marriage, 3 stepchildren, 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren has helped him to understand life’s challenges as well as God’s grace and love in our lives. Tim grew up as a preacher’s son and was taught early how God wanted him to live his life; but it has taken him a lifetime to understand God’s love for him and that God is always there to help him. Tim believes that being a Lay Counselor is his opportunity to walk alongside people that are struggling with life’s situations; helping them find hope, peace and joy through God’s love and grace.
Gary Kimpler
About Gary
Gary and his wife, Jennifer have been married for 29 years and raised 2 boys who are both soon to be married. They are originally from Hutchinson, Kansas where they met and were eventually married. Gary joined the Army in 1989, serving in many locations until he retired in 2009. He has spent the last 16 years working for the US Army Special Operations community in various positions.
Gary has been involved in many church ministries in the US and abroad. This included children’s Sunday school and outreach activities. He decided to become a Lay Counselor due to the significant need within the church and the community as a whole. He is currently enrolled at Liberty University to complete a degree in Biblical Counseling.
Tereece Little
About Tereece
Tereece moved to Pinehurst in 2007 to retire and play golf. She was raised in Southern California in the city of Huntington Beach, known as “Surf City.” She is the oldest of four children and enjoyed lots of outdoor activities growing up. Tereece attended UCLA and earned a degree in Dental Hygiene. In 1983, she married her husband Tom and has two children and five grandchildren.
She joined Christ Community Church in 2007 and has enjoyed serving, participating in Life Groups and watching God grow the church and feels blessed to be part of a wonderful God centered community.
Penny Mjolsness
About Penny
Penny taught special education before achieving her Masters in Social Work at Aurora University, Aurora, IL. She worked as a school Social Worker in northern NJ, (private and public schools). Penny and husband, Dave moved permanently to NC in 2023. They learned about the area years ago during many summer vacations to Pinehurst with their 3 children.
Penny became a lay counselor because she recognizes that any crisis left unaddressed will only grow bigger and that God welcomes all to live in His freedom by knowing and trusting in Him. Penny feels God wants us to bring our worries and burdens to Him, and in exchange, promises us His strength, peace, comfort, and love. Penny knows these promises because she asked for professional help many years ago and has learned from her faith in God and the depth of His healing presence.
Jacqueline Poyle
About Jacqueline
Jacqueline moved to Pinehurst in 2022 after a life changing diagnosis of a rare form of cancer. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary/Education/Communications from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Capella University. Jacqueline also received a certificate as a Professional Coach from the International Coaching Academy. She spent 30 years supporting businesses, teams, couples, and individuals struggling with personal and professional life trials.
Jacqueline’s ongoing battle with cancer led her to Christ. She recognizes how personal life challenges and suffering can greatly impact a person. She is currently seeking to find purpose and serve her community, while continuing to grow her own faith journey. She loves to spend time with her pup, family and friends. She finds peace in nature, painting, dancing and cooking.
Debbie Prince
About Debbie
Debbie came to the area in 1979 with her husband Marty. She has served with him in marriage counseling situations, both together and individually. She feels that everyone is broken in some way, but that we don’t have to stay that way. Debbie is involved in Lay Counseling to hear each person’s story and to come alongside and listen to that story. She feels that God, through Jesus is the ultimate restorer of our souls. Her hope and prayer is that people will find comfort and strength in order to realize that they are loved and have a purpose as a unique image bearer of our Creator.
Marty Prince
About Marty
Marty moved to the Pinehurst area with his wife in 1979 to pursue a career as a counselor and teacher. He has spent his retirement years in various ministries through CCC, having become a member in 2018. He feels the Lord has given him a passion to listen to people’s life situations and issues facing them. He and his wife have been involved in Pastoral Marriage counseling both as a couple and individually. Marty is bilingual, fluent in Spanish and English. His philosophy is that he cannot fix people, but God can; and feels God’s word provides direction and guidance. His goal is to show people how to apply scripture to their lives in order to move forward.
Carol Robinson
About Carol
Carol has spent her adult life in North Carolina. She and her husband moved to Pinehurst 15 years ago. She is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner. Carol has faced multiple life challenges and has experienced God’s faithfulness and wants to share how God loves us and wants to help and guide us through life’s struggles with others. Carol enjoys leading and participating in women’s Bible studies. She also enjoys golf, reading, gardening, and shopping in the local community.
Joan Stauffer
About Joan
Joan has been married for thirty-nine years and has two daughters and 4 grandsons. The majority of her time is spent with her ten-year-old autistic grandson since she has retired.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Addiction and Christian Counseling from Liberty University which has given her many new techniques and tools to assist people that desire restoration. Joan has overcome addiction in life and has experienced life-altering losses that have enabled her to secure the tools to help herself and others in counseling, chaplaincy work and in life coaching. Joan’s life’s goal is to help individuals that have fallen into life’s destructive patterns by assisting people in obtaining successful tools for wellness. In addition, Joan is the leader of Celebrate Recovery at CCC.
Karla Thomas
About Karla
Karla and her husband Clay have been married forty-two years and have enjoyed living in Seven Lakes since Clay’s retirement from the Army in 2019. Karla has worked in Education as an Interpreter for the deaf and then enjoyed spending her next ten years teaching her children at home. After their children graduated she transitioned into her next phase of life as an Artist. She loves painting watercolor as well as many other forms of art and teaches Art lessons for children. Karla’s counseling experience began while working alongside her husband encouraging couples and helping them enhance their relationships through better understanding of one another, learning ways to communicate and in love, care for one another.
Karla has a desire to help others through their struggles, pain and loss and has a heart for encouraging them through the hope that she has found in relationship with Jesus Christ. Having experienced God’s faithful love and mercy through some difficult losses in her own life, she wants to walk with others who are struggling through loss, pain and confusion as well.
Charles Yost
About Charlie
Charlie and his wife Jeanne have been married for 46 years and have two children and 7 grandchildren. Originally from Pennsylvania, Charlie and Jeanne moved to Southern Pines in late 2022 to be near their grandchildren. He became a member of CCC in 2023. Charlie has been connecting with people over three decades as a pastor, 24 years as a US Army Reserve Chaplain (including three overseas deployments), REBOOT courses supporting military members with moral injuries, and a few counseling internships. Having benefited from receiving counseling in his own life journey, Charlie has confidence in the Holy Spirit to bring healing to those hurting.
Harold "Thom" Thomas
About Thom
Thom has been a Lay Counselor since 2017 and feels that his life experiences help him to provide support and guidance to his clients. He retired from the Army in 1992; found other work before official retirement after another 24 years. Thom has been a member of CCC since 2013 and has served as a head usher for many years. Thom is active in a Life Group at CCC and enjoys volunteering. He and his wife Vicky have been married since 1985.
Vicky Thomas
About Vicky
Vicky has been a Lay Counselor since 2017 and is a board-certified Mental Health Coach. She also has a BS and MS in Nutrition. Vicky retired from the Army in 2003, then earned an AA in Web Technologies and owned a Web Design business for 15 years. Her lifelong hobby involves horses; she believes that they have a special ability to teach us about life and ourselves. Vicky and her husband Thom have been married since 1985, and have lived in NC since 2000. Vicky has served in many volunteer positions at CCC since becoming a member in 2013 and is quite active in a Life Group as well.
Other Professional Services
Kim Bishop, ESMHL
About Kim
Kim Bishop has been involved in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) since 2013. She is an Equine Specialist holding certification in Natural Lifemanship’s Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP) and PATH International’s Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). She has volunteered at CORRAL Riding Academy in Wake County, NC USA a program which pairs rescued horses with high-risk teenage girls (many of whom have experienced significant trauma.) She also volunteers with American Mustang School (AMS) in Moore County, NC. This is an equine assisted program dedicated to providing mental health and wellness experiences to active military members and veterans experiencing PTSD and other issues.
Kim feels that horses have a God-given, special ability to help humans lead more balanced lives. Few things in life are more remarkable and rewarding to her than being a part of EAP session.
Bob & Traci Huber
About Bob & Traci
Bob and Traci Huber believe their life’s purpose is to display the grace and care of God while walking alongside people experiencing mental illness, addiction, and disability—common but often hidden experiences that present both challenges and opportunities for growth.
Bob and Traci founded Bridge of the Sandhills in 2015 as a faith-based agency providing recovery coaching, consultation, support, and training in the Sandhills region of NC. Bob also provides leadership as the state-wide Director of Day Services for Monarch in North Carolina, and serves as the Director of Worship at Sandhills Alliance Church in Pinehurst. Bob holds a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from Crown College (St. Bonifacius, MN) and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Traci serves as a consultant with Bridge of the Sandhills. She is a Certified Medical Assistant experienced in providing compassionate care in medical and psychiatric settings. Bob and Traci survived raising four adult children and currently live in Southern Pines, NC. They enjoy golf, music, movies, pets, and travel.