Aaron T.
Aaron Trotter, Outpatient Supervisor, holds a Masters in Human Services and Non-Profit Management from Purdue University Global and a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Kaplan University. Aaron has been with Community & Family Resources since 2016, starting as a Treatment Specialist, then working his way up to a Substance Use Counselor and Gambling Addiction Counselor, and transferred to his current position of Outpatient Supervisor in 2022. He currently holds his CADC. When Aaron is not working, he enjoys being outdoors, fishing, and having barbeques with his family. Aaron says what he loves most about his job is that he gets to see people filled with hope and courage every day.
Alexandra B.
Alex Biedenbach started as an outpatient mental health therapist in Des Moines with Community and Family Resources in September of 2025. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Child, Adult, and Family Services in 2020. She went on to complete a Master of Social Work program from the University of Iowa that was completed in 2022, and she was licensed in October of that year. Through University of Iowa, Alex also received a certificate in Trauma Informed Practice. Before CFR, Alex was a Service Coordinator working with low-income older adults, connecting them to necessary resources such as physical and mental healthcare, engaging in crisis intervention, and facilitating group programs to ensure wellbeing and safety. Alex has two cats at home whom she loves and is excited to get married next year on Halloween, her favorite holiday!
Alex B.
Alex Bohnenkamp began working as Mental Health Counselor with CFR in 2023. He earned his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2023 from Buena Vista University. Prior to this, he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Iowa State University in 2017.
He has experience as a caseworker with Lutheran Services of Iowa in 2017 as well as working as an outpatient substance use counselor with Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services, earning his CADC in 2018.
He has experience working with severe substance use disorders, trauma survivors, community advocacy, and uses a predominantly Humanistic and Person-Centered approach to psychotherapy.
Amy T.
Amy has been in the human services field since 2001. She earned her bachelor’s in Human Services from Grand View University, and currently holds her CADC. Amy has served in multiple roles, including those in support staff, case management, medicated assisted therapy, outpatient services, and residential services. She currently serves as an Outpatient Substance Use Treatment Counselor based at our Des Moines location.
Brandy Strawn, PMHNP
Brandy Strawn is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with nearly 20 years of nursing experience in emergency medicine and critical care, which included caring for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use crises. Those experiences inspired her to pursue advanced training in psychiatric mental health, allowing her to continue supporting individuals beyond their immediate crisis and helping them achieve lasting wellness.
Brandy provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and individualized treatment planning. She believes that the best care begins with listening and strives to create a welcoming, judgment-free environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and comfortable being themselves. She values partnering with each client to develop a treatment plan that reflects their unique needs, goals, and strengths.
Brandy believes every client deserves compassionate, individualized care and considers it a privilege to walk alongside clients on their journey toward improved mental health and wellbeing. With clinical experience caring for individuals ages 6 and older with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, psychosis, substance use concerns, and mental health crises, she is honored to serve patients in the Ames, Boone, and Des Moines communities.
Originally from Iowa, Brandy returned home in 2019 and is grateful to serve the communities that shaped her. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, three grandchildren, and her Labrador, Mandy.
Denise M. BSW tCADC
Denise joined CFR Des Moines in August 2023 as an Outpatient Substance Use Treatment Counselor. Prior to this Denise had an extensive twenty-two year background in the medical field of various positions: filing insurance, checking in patients, working as a CNA, and serving as a Surgical Technologist. Denise’s years in surgery had a focus on Bariatrics and weight reduction.
After many years Denise felt the urge to go back to school and earn her associates in human services at DMACC, then her bachelor's in social work, with a minor in psychology at Grand View University to help patients struggling with trauma and how it affected patients receiving weight-reduction surgery. From that, Denise realized that she wanted to become a counselor.
While this is her first social work job, Denise feels that her years of patient advocating made it her vocation to help clients know that no has to one has to make the journey through recovery alone.
Joeb S.
Joeb joined CFR in February 2024 and works as an outpatient counselor with adolescents and adults facing challenges with gambling or substance use. He creates a welcoming, judgment‑free space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported at their own pace.
Joeb is an International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC) with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. He brings a thoughtful, person‑centered approach to every session, drawing on a variety of techniques to meet each client’s unique needs.
In his free time, you’ll find Joeb exploring the outdoors with his wife, two children, and their dog, Oslo
Kassadie M.
Kassie CADC BA is an Intensive Outpatient Counselor dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges with compassion, understanding, and evidence-based support. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Drake University and has worked with clients since 2024 helping them build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and achieve meaningful personal growth.
Outside of work, Kassie enjoys a good nap, spending time with her kids, and cheering on the Drake Men’s Basketball team -- Go Dogs!
Terry P.
Terry Pauley started his career in the substance use field in 2005 at Prelude Behavioral Services as a Recovery Assistant, while also working towards his Master’s degree in Christian Counseling. In 2008, Terry became a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) counselor and has since worked with a variety of clients including those with substance use and gambling disorders. Terry joined the CFR team in July 2022, when Prelude and CFR merged their organizations. Terry loves his job because it gives him the opportunity to not only give back to the community but be a part of meeting people where they are and helping them move forward for positive change in recovery.
When he isn’t working, Terry enjoys keeping up with his wife’s flower garden, where he is currently trying to do bonsai trees without killing them. He also enjoys watching his “granddaughter”, who is an emotional support dog named is Rigatoni Baguette.