Mission
Leadership
Barb Waldemar
Executive Director
Caroline Jones
President
Ruth Bauman
Treasurer
Kirsten Marsh
Secretary
Counselors
Barb Waldemar
Executive Director and Counselor
ABOUT
Barb has been counseling at Cedar Cove since 2018. She previously served as the dean of women in higher education where she had the privilege of shepherding college women. After serving as Interim Director for six months, Barb was appointed Executive Director in December of 2023. She brings over 35 years of ministry experience with a deep desire to be a life-long learner. Barb has two married children, a daughter in college, and six delightful grandchildren. She enjoys people, academics, gardening, travel, and being on or near the water. Barb lives and works in Minnesota.
Barb loves to counsel young marrieds, women of all ages, and ministry leaders. She has a heart to care for people who have experienced hard life events that are negativley impacting their lives and relationships.
EDUCATION
Certification in Commercial Art, Minneapolis Community Technical College
MA, Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Levels 1 & 2 Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider
Certification in Supervision
Certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy
Prepare / Enrich Facilitator
Certification in QPR Suicide Prevention
Matt Bishop
Counselor
ABOUT
Matt has a deep desire to help people find hope and healing in Christ, a desire shaped by his walk with Jesus and over two decades of ministry experience. In pastoral ministry, he has walked alongside individuals, couples, and families through seasons of suffering, relational conflict, trauma, addiction, marriage challenges, parenting concerns, and crisis. His care has also been influenced by his own experience of being helped by safe, trusted people who reflected the care of Jesus and gently led him to the Good Shepherd.
Matt approaches counseling through relational presence, gospel-centered identity, and practical wisdom for growth. He seeks to create a safe place where people feel seen, heard, and understood as they bring their lives and hearts to Jesus. He desires to walk patiently with people as they understand their stories through Scripture and take small, concrete steps toward healing, repentance, restored relationships, and freedom in Christ.
Matt and his wife have been married for 17 years and have four children. He enjoys outdoor adventures with his family, quality coffee, reading, music, movies, and conversations that help people notice the grace of God in everyday life. Matt lives, works, and plays in Cary, NC.
EDUCATION
AS, Outdoor Leadership, Southeastern Community College
BA, Parks and Recreation Management, Western Carolina University
MA, Christian Ministry, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Association of Biblical Counselors Certification Level 1 (ABC-1)
Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider Level 1 (CCTCP-1)
Certified Connected Families Parent Coach
Certified by Shepherds Academy to Facilitate Biblically-Based Equine Assisted Programs
Association of Biblical Counselors Certification Level 2 (in process)
Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider Level 2 (CCTCP-2) (in process)
Certified Bridge Educational Therapist (in process)
Becca Blomker
Counselor
ABOUT
As a former English teacher in both public and private settings, a homeschool-turned-public-school mama, and after years of living and ministering in a low-income neighborhood, Becca brings a wide variety of experiences into the counseling setting. She received training in domestic violence at a local shelter and has worked for over ten years in both lay and formal counseling settings. Becca and her husband have been married 23 years, have four kids, and live and work in Kansas.
As a counselor, Becca fosters a safe place for teens and women of all ages to share their struggles and find hope and healing in Jesus. Becca has expertise in working with relational trauma, narcissistic abuse, church hurt, grief, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors.
EDUCATION
BS, English Education, University of Northwestern, St. Paul
MA, Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy
Levels 1 & 2 Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider
Julia Crickenberger
Counselor and Parent Coach
ABOUT
Julia has been counseling with Cedar Cove since 2018, and previously counseled college women in a lay capacity. She is a part-time counselor and full-time mom of three kids. Julia enjoys cooking tasty, healthy meals, watching good movies and anything beach-related. Julia lives and works in South Carolina.
Julia works with adults of all ages, men and women alike, and especially enjoys working with those suffering from anxiety and OCD. She also works with parents, especially those with sensitive and intense kids.
EDUCATION
BS, Psychology and Bible
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Certified Connected Families Parent Coach
Christine Chow
Counselor and Parent Coach
ABOUT
Christine has been counseling with Cedar Cove since 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience discipling children and adults from diverse and multi-ethnic backgrounds. Through her local church, she has led ministry teams, mentored others, and equipped individuals for cross-cultural ministry. Originally from Malaysia, Christine met her husband in the United States. They have one adult son and have welcomed many other host children from around the world. Together they enjoy traveling and connecting with people from all walks of life. Christine also loves creating fusion cuisine, hosting gatherings as well as some quiet moments with nature, coffee, and a good book. Christine lives and works in Minnesota.
Christine loves to counsel individuals and families struggling with relationships, anxiety, depression, and trauma. She also enjoys working with children, teens, and their parents through their growing years.
EDUCATION
BA, English and Economics, Luther College
BS, Computer Science, Metropolitan State University
Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate (TEFL), Hamline University
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
MA, Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary
Certified Connected Families Parent Coach
Prepare / Enrich Facilitator
Jon Hansel
Counselor
ABOUT
Jon has been counseling with Cedar since 2021 and brings over 20 years of experience in biblical counseling, along with more than a decade of pastoral ministry focused on spiritual formation and leadership. He is also a small business owner and nonprofit leadership consultant, giving him a unique perspective on the personal and organizational challenges many people face.
Jon works with individuals, couples, and families navigating a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relational strain, life transitions, and challenges in marriage, parenting, and leadership. He has particular training and experience in helping those impacted by church conflict, spiritual harm, and experiences of betrayal, and understands the confusion and weight that can come when trust has been strained or broken.
His work addresses both the emotional and relational impact of spiritual and relational harm, including trauma, intrusive thoughts, stress, and unhelpful coping patterns, while helping clients move toward clarity, stability, and growth. His counsel is grounded in a biblical vision of healing and restoration, shaped by the grace, truth, and redeeming power of Christ.
Jon and his wife have been married for 25 years and have four adult children, along with three exuberant dogs and a pair of mischievous horses enjoyed by his wife and daughter. He enjoys reading, writing, any white sand beach, and supporting his family’s many interests, most of which keep his schedule full and his bank account humble. Jon lives and works in Minnesota.
EDUCATION
BS, Psychology, Capella University
MA, Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary
D.Min. Transformational Leadership, Bethel University
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Prepare / Enrich Marriage Assessment Facilitator & Trainer
Level 1 Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider
Cara Herzberg
Counselor
ABOUT
Cara has been counseling with Cedar Cove since 2018. She is married and has five children. Cara and her husband moved to Senegal in 2008, where they worked in agriculture and community development. She enjoys riding her bike in the mountains and making pizza for her favorite people. Cara now lives and works in Colorado.
Cara enjoys counseling global workers, ministry leaders, people struggling in relationships, those dealing with anxiety, and people who are motivated to grow into their full potential.
EDUCATION
BA, Journalism, Point Loma Nazarene University
MA, Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Brainspotting Phase I
Prepare / Enrich Facilitator
ICF Certified Coach (in process)
Sara Jacobson
Counselor
ABOUT
Sara has been counseling with Cedar Cove since 2019. She has over 15 years of ministry experience, serving on staff with a campus ministry and as a counselor in her local church. One of Sara’s favorite songs is “What a Friend Is Jesus” – she considers it an honor to be a friend in counseling and to look to Jesus to be our friend, help, and comfort. Sara is married and in her free time she loves playing tennis, hiking all over the world, cooking, reading, and mastering sudoku. Sara lives and works in Indiana.
Sara enjoys counseling people through all stages of life, from older teens to those in their golden years. She loves working with individuals, couples, and whole families. She has experience walking alongside people who have experienced abuse/trauma, those who suffer with grief and/or shame, and those who are wrestling with questions about their faith.
EDUCATION
BS, Elementary Education and Mathematics, Indiana University
MA, Biblical Counseling, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
MA, Leadership, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy
Levels 1 & 2 Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider
Prepare / Enrich Facilitator
Brendan Lebsack
Counselor
ABOUT
Brendan has been counseling with Cedar Cove since 2017. His previous ministry experience includes youth ministry, campus ministry, teaching, small group ministry and urban youth outreach. Brendan is married and has three young children. He enjoys music, exercise, sports and sharing family adventures in the Twin Cities and beyond. Brendan lives and works in Minnesota.
Brendan enjoys counseling men and women of all ages experiencing trials and temptations. He considers it a sacred privilege to walk with others to together consider how Jesus is acquainted with our grief, sympathizes with our weaknesses and is familiar with our temptations. He has experience working with those who suffer from anxiety, depression, singleness, intrusive thoughts, and the stress of relational complexities.
EDUCATION
BS, Exercise Science, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
MA, Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary
Certification in Adult Mental Health First Aid
Gaby Morris
Counselor
ABOUT
Prior to joining the Cedar Cove team in 2020, Gaby served in the
counseling ministry at her local church, prayer and chaplain ministries, and with the church’s Domestic Abuse Response team. Gaby and her husband have been blessed with three grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys being outside and active,
especially with her family and friends. She also loves audio books,
traveling, and hearing other’s stories.
As a counselor, Gaby’s desire is to compassionately come alongside
women of all ages who are suffering, feeling stuck, in anxiety, grief, shame, relational trauma and/or abuse. She also enjoys working with parents with adult children. Her ultimate joy is to help others progress in their journey of understanding and experiencing the hope, freedom, peace, and power that is available to them in Christ Jesus.
EDUCATION
BS, Psychology, University of Northwestern, St. Paul
MA, Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Certification of Completion, Global Trauma Recovery Institute
Dan Sietman
Counselor
ABOUT
Dan joined the Cedar Cove counseling team in 2022. Prior to that, he served in the US Air Force for 22 1/2 years and as an associate pastor for administration and counseling for 18 years. Dan’s counseling experience spans many years, focused primarily on pastoral marriage and pre-marriage counseling. He began his formal biblical counseling studies with CCEF in 2013. Dan and his wife have been married since 1976 and have two adult sons and seven grandchildren. He enjoys time with his grandchildren, reading, learning, and traveling especially in their camping trailer. Dan lives and works in Ohio.
Dan enjoys counseling men, women, and couples who desire to grow in their relationship with God and work on improving their relationships with other people in their lives. He is willing to explore biblical solutions for any life issue or challenge and walk with individuals who desire change enabled by God’s grace.
EDUCATION
BS, Engineering Technology, State University Of New York
MS, Program Management, Air Force Institute of Technology
MA, Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Brainspotting Phase I & II Training
Prepare / Enrich Facilitator
Men of Peace Facilitator
Michelle Sweeney
Counselor
ABOUT
Michelle offers compassionate, biblical counseling rooted in Scripture and shaped by careful listening and a desire to walk gently alongside others with humility, respect, and care. Her desire is to create a space where individuals can be honest about their stories, attentive to their struggles, and encouraged by the hope we have in Christ. Michelle seeks to walk patiently and thoughtfully with individuals facing anxiety, depression, grief, shame, relational challenges, and the effects of trauma or abuse. Michelle integrates talk therapy and Brainspotting and has additional training in domestic violence and coercive control advocacy.
As a homeschooling mom of six, she spent over 18 years educating her children, which has shaped her understanding of family and relationships. She’s also worked with children with special needs. Michelle enjoys being outdoors, spending time with my children, and soaking in God’s creation. She also teaches fitness classes and values caring for the whole person, mind, body, and soul. Michelle lives and works in Wisconsin.
EDUCATION
MA, Counseling (MAC), Westminster Theological Seminary
Certification in Counseling, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider Level 1Brainspotting Practitioner Phase 1 & 2