Our Team

Andrea J Martin, LPCC-S, CCTP
Counselor, Owner

Andrea is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and founder of Soul Survivor. She graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1991 with a master’s degree in community counseling and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has provided professional counseling and advocacy services to survivors of trauma/personal injury crimes for 30 years.  Andrea is a North Dakota Certified Counseling Supervisor and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with the International Association of Trauma Professionals.

Andrea’s counseling services include abuse recovery, traumatic grief, persistent depression, anxiety, and relationship and family issues.

Andrea has provided training on trauma response and recovery to a variety of professional and community groups including human service professionals, the ND Bar Association, and medical and criminal justice personnel. She provided training at the ND Law Enforcement Training Academy from 1997-2001 while employed as the Assistant Director of the North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services/Coalition Against Sexual Assault in ND.  Andrea is also a trained family law mediator.

Andrea is a former board president and member of Prevent Child Abuse ND, a former advisory board member of the Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center, a former domestic violence offender treatment provider at Lutheran Social Services, and former advisory member to the Family Safety Center and a former clinical supervisor for the Heartview Foundation. Andrea is a current member of PULSE (local domestic and sexual abuse task force) and the ND Attorney General’s Sex Offender Risk Assessment Committee and Drug and Violent Crime Policy Board.

Samantha Birrenkott, LPCC, LAC,

CCTP, CFRC

Counselor

Samantha Birrenkott is a ND Licensed Associate Professional Counselor and Licensed Addiction Counselor. Samantha received her master’s degree in counseling from the University of Mary in 2023 and her Bachelor of Science with a major in addiction in 2020.

Samantha has been working in the field of human services for seven years and has experience as Therapist, Addiction Counselor, and Team Coordinator at West Central Human Service Center. Samantha’s experience has allowed her to be a skilled and effective provider in crisis intervention, and individual and group therapy for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Samantha has advanced training and experience in trauma-based therapy methods and suicide assessment and intervention including EMDR. Samantha is dedicated to working with teens and adults struggling with depression, anxiety and other common mental health concerns with a special emphasis on trauma treatment resulting from the personal injury of domestic and sexual abuse, for first and secondary responders, and for military personnel. Samantha is the only Certified First Responder Counselor in our region. She is also a mental health consultant for the Bismarck Police Department peer support team.

In addition to her clinical work, Samantha is an adjunct professor at both Bismarck State College and Minot State College teaching undergraduate addiction courses. Samantha is an active member of the American Counseling Association and the North Dakota Counseling Association. She also volunteers with American Heroes Outdoors, an organization dedicated to supporting military veterans and first responders. Her personal connection as the significant other of a military veteran and Purple Heart recipient deepens her commitment and dedication to serving these communities.

As a dually licensed provider, Samantha views therapy as a collaborative relationship rooted in trust, self-reflection, and resilience. She is committed to helping clients navigate life’s challenges with strength and renewed hope.

Layn Sabot, LPCC-S, LMAC, CCTS
Counselor

Layn Sabot is a dedicated ND Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, ND Certified Counseling Supervisor, and Licensed Master Addiction Counselor with eight years of experience in the behavioral health field. Layn received her master’s degree in counseling from the University of Mary in 2019, where she was the recipient of academic honors, and her Bachelor of Science in addiction studies in 2017.

With training in EMDR and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Harm Reduction, Layn integrates best practices to meet the diverse needs of clients. Layn is also a Certified Tobacco Technician Specialist, furthering her commitment to chemical dependency intervention and treatment.

Layn’s clinical focus is for adults struggling with co-occurring substance and mental health issues, anxiety, depression, survivors of abuse, caregivers, and first and secondary responders with a special emphasis and advanced training for assisting others in processing and healing through traumatic grief and loss.

Layn has held leadership roles, including Director of Treatment Services at a non-profit organization, where she oversaw clinical programming, coordinated grant applications, managed community volunteer efforts, and supervised a diverse team. Layn also serves as an Executive Board Member of a local coalition, contributing to broader community wellness and prevention strategies.

Layn is an active member of the American Counseling Association, the North Dakota Counseling Association, the Association for Addiction Professionals, and the ND Addiction Counselor’s Association.

Layn’s sincerity, compassion and dedication to client wellness provides her clients with a safe and comfortable counseling experience, working together to accomplish recovery goals and healing.

Michelle Bohlander
Office Manager

Michelle joined Soul Survivor Counseling Services in November 2021. She has an extensive background in customer service, retail and office management. She manages appointment scheduling, insurance processing and the fiscal operations of Soul Survivor. Michelle is the mom of three children and married to Craig, a first responder. She enjoys fun family adventures, time with her horses, Spur and Buddy, her mini poodle Buster (who also rides horse), her friends, gardening, cooking and reading.