Our Team

ABOUT OUR TEAM: We believe in the restorative and transformative work of the Holy Spirit in individuals for holistic health. Our teams reflect that. Our ministry team is made up of clinical counselors, pastoral counselors, social workers, and trained ministry lay leaders that have a heart and knowledge of integration of faith and psychological principles, and the interaction of spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Our ministry team also includes licensed movement instructors.

Every member of our ministry team has completed our extensive Free to Be Integrative Prayer and Counsel training that applies our unique approach. Each ministry team member is under the supervision of licensed counselors.

MINISTRY TEAM

Leigh-Ann Brisbin

Founder, Co-Executive Director - Integrative Services

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - Supervisor, Ministry Team

Fairlawn Office

Not Accepting New Clients

Leigh-Ann is a Licensed Clinical Counselor and the Co-Executive Director of Free to Be Ministries. She is the author of My True Reflection; Freedom from Eating Disorders. In 2011 Leigh-Ann graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling and has worked in both clinical and ministerial settings, counseling, teaching, leading and training others. She is passionate about the work of the Holy Spirit in holistic health and believes in the impact of integrating faith and counseling for healing. Through our Free to Lead programs, Leigh-Ann also speaks, writes, and trains church leaders and counselors, in spiritual formation and the integration of faith and counseling.

Amanda Hooley

Ministry Team, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Professional Art Therapist, and Board Certified, Registered Art Therapist

Fairlawn Office

Amanda earned her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts from Malone
University and received her Master’s in Art Therapy and Counseling from
Ursuline College. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed
Professional Art Therapist, and Board Certified, Registered Art Therapist.
Amanda works primarily with children, teens, and young adults. She enjoys
meeting clients and families where they are in their walk with the Lord, and
desires for her clients to know Jesus intimately. Amanda helps young clients
learn about their emotions and healthy ways to manage them, helps teens
find their identity in Christ, and young adults find God’s purpose for their life
using art and other experiential avenues. Amanda is passionate about the
healing aspects of art and how transformative it is for the mind, body, and
spirit.

Todd Brisbin

Ministry Team, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor and Addiction Specialist

Fairlawn Office

In 2011 Todd graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. He completed his internships with EMERGE Counseling Services and Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Center and then worked at EMERGE Counseling Services in private practice, and Edwin Shaw and Laurelwood Hospitals PHP and IOP programs. He was previously the Director of Outpatient Services at Winsdor Laurelwood. He currently works as a Dual Diagnosis Behavioral Health Therapist at Summa Health St Thomas Hospital, as well as part time with Free to Be. He has attended Christian Fellowship Church Encounter Conferences for training in prayer that offers opportunities for healing and spiritual growth, as well as completed the Free to Be Integrative Prayer and Counsel Training.

Joy Trachsel

Ministry Team, Certified Mental Health Coach, Certified Premarital Prepare/Enrich Program Facilitator

Masters in Pastoral Counseling

Fairlawn Office, Redemption Chapel - Fridays

Joy graduated from Mary Baldwin College with a degree in Business Administration and Crown College with a Masters in Pastoral Counseling. She has also done graduate studies at Trinity Evangelical School of Divinity. She has been speaking for over 15 years both nationally and internationally and can be heard on Moody Radio – Cleveland (WCRF) as part of the Pause For Prayer Team. She is also the author of The Great Cover-Up, a book that inspires women to say YES to God.

She has a passion for working with those that are feeling trapped and stuck and watching them be set free in Jesus. This includes but is not limited to those that are experiencing anxiety, depression and grief. Joy desires to make space for those that are searching for hope and desiring to let go of what is hindering them. She also enjoys working with couples and families, helping them create the relationship they never knew they could have.

Adrean Stulak

Ministry Team, Counselor Trainee

Fairlawn Office

Adrean graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Special Education. She worked for several years at Brunswick City Schools as an Intervention Specialist for children in grades 3-5. While teaching, Adrean attended Cleveland State University to complete coursework in Counseling Education. She has worked in ministry leadership for many years, overseeing and developing groups for women of all ages, especially young mothers navigating difficult life transitions. Adrean has also served in Children’s Ministry by teaching, discipling, and serving young hearts in Christ. She completed the Integrative Prayer and Counsel training with Free to Be Ministries in 2020 and is currently completing her Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary. Adrean has a heart for spiritual formation and holistic approaches to wellness for women, teens, and children. She is passionate in coming alongside others to dismantle unhealthy patterns of anxiety, depression, and negative thinking in order to recognize & live out their true identity, purpose, and calling in Christ.

Tina Farist

Ministry Team, Story Coach, Spiritual Director & Certified Trauma-Informed Movement Instructor

Fairlawn Office

Tina believes that healing and wholeness can be found by integrating mind, body, and spirit through experiential practices and regular rhythms of breath, prayer, mindfulness, movement, and story. She is passionate about seeing women reconnect with their bodies, release trauma, and discover the Holy Spirit movement in their lives. Through her own stories of loss and grief, she has learned to sit with others without the need to fix or rescue them. Tina journeys with individuals on their path to healing, creating safe spaces, honoring their stories, and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide them to freedom.

Tina sees herself as a spiritual midwife for women as they witness their bodies, spirits and souls and allow for the Spirit to move in all three. Tina has partnered with RAHAB Ministries since 2016, bringing movement and prayer to survivors of human trafficking.

Because each person, and their story is unique, by combining her work and services at Free To Be Ministries specifically to each person, using approaches in Integrative Prayer, Spiritual Direction, Individual and Group Narrative Story work, Somatic Trauma Therapy, and Movement classes, she is able to meet the unique needs of her clients.

She offers care to all people, particularly the BIPOC population.

Education & Training:

Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certificate, Embody Lab, 2022
Narrative Focused Trauma Care, Levels I-III, Allender Center, 2019 - 2023
Spiritual Director, Sustainable Faith, 2020-2022
Integrative Prayer and Counsel, Free to Be Ministries, 2021
Trauma Informed Movement, Holy Yoga, 2017
International Ministries, Moody Bible Institute, 1994

Laura Brenner

Prayer and Counsel & Somatic Ministry Team, Certified Bowen Technique Practitioner

Fairlawn Office

Laura is a women's ministry leader, National Certified Bowen Practitioner, and a trained staff member of Free to Be. Laura graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and started her career teaching elementary school. She later went on to receive a Master of Arts in Ministerial Studies with Women’s Leadership Concentration from Grace Seminary in 2020. She now works at Grace Church as a leader in women’s spiritual leadership support. She has completed the Free to Be Ministries Integrative training as well.

"Through my own life experiences and journey, the Lord has fostered in me a desire to help other women find hope and healing through holistic means. I believe in God’s power to restore and redeem all aspects of our lives in this broken and fallen world. By focusing on all areas of our health – mental, emotional, physical and spiritual – I believe we can become all we were created to be in Jesus. I find joy and purpose in encouraging and helping others become and remain healthy."

Jarrod Williams

Ministry Team, Pastor

Fairlawn Office

Jarrod is a devoted disciple, husband and father. He has a passion for guiding individuals toward healing and growth. With a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Kent State University and a Masters in Christian Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, he has a helpful blend of psychological and theological training to equip him to walk alongside people on their journey of healing. Jarrod has been in vocational ministry since 2006. He has served in multiple areas throughout the years including missions, youth ministry, college ministry, and pastoral ministry. Jarrod’s thirteen years of pastoral counseling experience as well as his own significant personal healing from grief and trauma has given him a passion to help others find hope, restoration, and a deeper connection with God. Jarrod is currently undergoing the Free to Be Ministries Integrative Prayer Training.

Screen Shot 2023-03-29 at 12.43.36 PM.png

David Black

Ministry Team, Pastor, Air Force Chaplain, Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator

Fairlawn Office, Redemption Chapel - Fridays Only

David earned his Master of Divinity from Harding School of Theology in 2001. He
served on Active Duty as a Chaplain for 8 years with the Air Force and has
continued in the AF Reserves since 2011. He was the Sr. Pastor of Church in the
Falls for 11 years and has been doing pastoral counseling for over 20 years. He
has a passion for encouraging and mentoring those younger in ministry and
desires to see a more holistic model of discipleship and healing for local
churches. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry from Ashland Theological
Seminary. David completed the Integrative Prayer and Counsel training with Free to Be Ministries in early 2023.

Mara Sonntag

Somatic Ministry Team, TRE Facilitator

Fairlawn Office

Mara earned her undergraduate degree in Austin, Texas, and began her healing journey through her own experience with body trauma, stemming from physical challenges and workplace stress. This led her to learn about Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE), a transformative practice that inspired her to become a certified TRE provider.

As a dedicated practitioner, Mara helps individuals release bodily tension and find inner peace. Using visual prompts and prayer, she guides clients through the somatic exercises, creating a compassionate and grounded space for healing. She is passionate about helping others embrace the present moment, cultivate gratitude, and feel fully alive.

Outside of her work, Mara is married, and her relationship enriches her practice, highlighting the importance of connection and self-care in healing. She believes in everyone’s desire to heal and thrive and is honored to support others on their journey toward well-being.

649AE3DF-FDC1-4023-BDFD-AE4B9013A347-DA4

Audrey Pace

Ministry Team, Licensed Social Worker, Certified Yoga Instructor

Virtual Appointments Only

Ms. Audrey Pace hails from Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology. Audrey is a Certified Yoga Instructor, as well as a Licensed Massage Therapist. In 2008 she received her Master of Social Work degree from Cleveland State University. She has completed integrative prayer training through Free To Be Ministries. Working for the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Audrey served in the Freedom Center where she greatly enjoyed working with the OEF/OIF veterans as a Case Manager! She has worked as a Licensed Social Worker and Outpatient Mental Health Therapist for six years at the Cleveland VA Medical Center.

Her focus is working with women that may be struggling with addiction, mental heath, recovering from trauma, and those who may be healing after abortion. She is passionate about helping others find healing from wounds and the opportunity to walk alongside them in their spiritual and emotional journey.

Maggie Sommer

Ministry Team, Counselor Trainee

Maggie holds a degree in Psychology from Liberty University and is currently completing her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, working towards licensure as an Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She is also currently undergoing the Free to Be Ministries Integrative Prayer Training. Maggie is passionate and experienced in working with children and teens, doing so for the past several years in many different occupations including teaching, special needs, and nannying. She is dedicated to guiding others in a counseling journey that helps them unpack and understand their life story through a lens of spiritual, emotional, and relational healing. Maggie's personal story of healing and growth through Biblically-integrated counseling informs much of her approach as a counselor. She focuses on clinical interventions, Biblical integration, and trauma-informed counseling. Maggie is passionate about hearing the stories of others and helping them make sense of their past, engage in the present, and cultivate hope for the future.

Ted Kruse

Ministry Team

Fairlawn Office

Ted grew up outside of Chicago. He graduated from Cedarville University with a B.A. in Psychology. He has done graduate work at Ashland, Liberty, Capella and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Ted was a Lead Teaching Pastor for 17 years and has been doing pastoral counseling for over 17 years. He holds certificates in Spiritual Formation from The Christian Leadership Institute in California, a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Sustainable Faith in Columbus and completed the Integrative Prayer and Counsel training with Free to Be Ministries in early 2023.

Ted is married to Alissa and has three children.

Shannon McKee

Ministry Team, Certified Life Coach and Enneagram Practitioner

Fairlawn Office, Redemption Chapel - Fridays Only

Not Accepting New Clients

Shannon is a Certified Enneagram and Life Coach. Having gained most of her theological training through Trinity Evangelical School of Divinity, she has been working in coaching, mentoring, and teaching roles for the last 30 years – first on college campuses in Ohio and now on staff as the Women’s Ministry Director at a local church. Her passion is holding space for curiosity around issues of identity, greater self-awareness, spiritual formation, and Spirit-led transformation. She works with individuals, couples, and teams who are ready to engage in some wholehearted inner work to become more self-aware and live in the freedom that kind of awareness brings. She completed the Integrative Prayer and Counsel training with Free to Be Ministries in early 2023.Her particular sweet spot is working with women who are in ministry or in leadership or in a season of major life transition.

Shannon is not accepting new clients at this time.