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, LAPC, LAC, CTP, 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 is currently working towards advanced licensure under the supervision of Andrea Martin, LPCC-S, CCTP.

Samantha has been working in the field of human services for five 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.

Additionally, Samantha is an adjunct professor for Bismarck State College and Minot State College teaching undergraduate addiction courses.

Samantha has advanced training and experience in trauma focused therapy methods and suicide assessment and intervention.  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 personal injury (i.e. domestic and sexual violence), for first and secondary responders, and for military personnel.  Samantha is the only Certified First Responder Counselor in our region. 

Samantha is a current member of the American Counseling Association and the North Dakota Counseling Association. She is also a volunteer with American Heroes Outdoors which dedicated to the support of military veterans and first responders.

Samantha is passionate about being a dually licensed provider and views therapy as a collaborative relationship that offers self-reflection and fosters resiliency through life’s challenges.

Lisa Ripplinger, LAPC, NCC, CTP
Licensed Associate Professional Counselor

Lisa Ripplinger is a North Dakota Licensed Associate Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor (NCC). Lisa earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with high distinction from Liberty University, a credential that reflects her dedication to excellence in the counseling field. She is currently working toward advanced licensure with a focus on complex trauma-competent care under the supervision of Andrea Martin, LPCC-S, CCTP.

Lisa brings a wealth of experience from her diverse roles in human services, including her work as a Long-Term Services and Supports Options Counselor for the North Dakota Department of Aging Services, where she developed expertise in assessments, client advocacy, and continuity of care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa completed training in the Crisis Counseling Assistance Training Program (CCP) and utilized the CCP Toolkit to provide community-based outreach, crisis counseling, and support to individuals and families affected. Lisa has been trained in Safe From Harm, a prevention program focusing on risk reduction for children, teens, and vulnerable adults. Additional qualifications and training include certification as a Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), Prime for Life intervention, Adult Mental First Aid, specialized training in Strengths-Based Approaches to Suicide Assessment and Treatment and she is a trained EMDR provider.

Lisa’s clinical focus is on teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, personal injury trauma, and major life transitions. Lisa’s work is grounded in creating a safe, nonjudgmental space that fosters healing, self-reflection, and resilience.

Lisa is a member of the North Dakota Counseling Association and Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People. Lisa actively contributes to her community through advocacy, education, and volunteerism by participating in suicide prevention coalition meetings, awareness walks, and the Fallen Soldier Run.

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.