Church AND City Counseling

Rebuild the community. Restore the heart. Renew the mind.

OUR STORY

Church and City Counseling began in November 2023 in response to the undeniable need for emotional and spiritual health in our community.

In partnership with the 400+ churches in the ForCLT network, Church and City Counseling is committed to providing Biblically integrated counseling to rebuild, restore and renew the city of Charlotte.

“What if the mental health crisis of our time is really a cry for discipleship from our culture? Jesus told us to tell more people about the identity, belonging, truth, and purpose only He can offer. It is our conviction that Church and City Care is an opportunity for the Church in Charlotte to work together to disciple our city through Biblically integrated mental health services.”
– Chris Payne, Pastor at New City Church

OUR MISSION

To lead the way in uniting churches to care for our city.

OUR TEAM

Rev. Mrs. Rebecca B. Woodman, MACC
Founder & Executive Director

Rebecca Woodman is a counselor and pastor who partners with churches across Charlotte to make professional, Christ-centered therapy accessible and affordable. After 20 years leading pastoral care and counseling in a large church, she launched Church and City Counseling to bring biblically integrated counseling closer to communities. She holds an MA in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2003) and became a licensed counselor in North Carolina in 2004. Rebecca serves as Executive Director of Church and City Counseling, speaks regularly at community events, and has led large Bible studies and chaplaincy initiatives. She is trained in Gottman Method and Critical Incident Stress Management and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Her passion is creating a safe sanctuary where hurting people can find real healing and see Jesus in the process. Rebecca and her husband John are raising three daughters and one son together.

Fun fact: Rebecca and her husband love throwing theme parties with friends and can often be found at local ball fields cheering on their kids.

Lee Sumrall
Clinical Director

Lee Sumrall is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Supervisor and a Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience. She is the new Clinical Director of Church and City Counseling (as of May 2025) and the owner of Common Grounds Christian Counseling in Matthews, NC, where she provides faith-based therapy and supervises emerging clinicians. Lee has training in the Gottman Method and in EMDR.  She actively contributes to women’s ministry and curriculum development at New City Church. Lee enjoys walking, getting coffee with friends and life with her husband Wade and their two teenaged daughters.

Fun Fact: Lee loves to read on the couch with a current favorite fiction book, but often finds this quickly leads to her famous 17 minute nap!

Ednethia Thomas
Business Director

Ednethia is a trusted guide for people and organizations seeking financial clarity and Kingdom-centered purpose, combining experience as a financial consultant, business strategist, tax specialist, licensed insurance agent, Certified Scrum Master, and Certified Spiritual Director. As VP of Community Outreach and Client Services for SCORE Charlotte and through strategic partnerships, she champions financial empowerment and leadership growth. Devoted mom to Jaycen Eugene, she lives by Proverbs 16:3.

HOLLY WILDER
client coordinator

Holly Wilder is the Client Coordinator at Church and City Counseling, 

overseeing appointment scheduling and ensuring a warm, 

welcoming first impression for every visitor. A Communications graduate from 

NC State University, Holly lives locally with her husband and their two teenage sons.

Fun fact: Holly loves cooking and enjoys trying out new recipes in her free time.

Belinda Johnson
Counselor

Belinda is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been practicing since 2009 after earning an M.A. in Counseling from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She works with adults across the lifespan with a special focus on women’s issues, using an eclectic, client-tailored approach. Belinda is trained in Brainspotting, EMDR, IFS, and experiential therapy and prioritizes a compassionate therapeutic relationship to create safety and trust. She is especially attuned to clients who are grieving, shaped in part by her own loss of her spouse of 44 years nearly two years ago.

Fun fact: Belinda loves hiking and walking outdoors, where she feels closest to God.

Seth Hooper
Counselor

Seth is a counselor who helps individuals and couples grow emotionally, strengthen relationships, and find lasting healing. He especially enjoys supporting men as they navigate identity, stress, relationships, and spiritual growth in a practical, compassionate environment. He believes counseling is intentional practice—learning tools, gaining insight, and exploring your story with curiosity and kindness—and integrates faith when desired.

Fun fact: he and his wife love exploring epic playgrounds with their five kids.

KIMBERLY WEAVER
Counselor

Kimberly Weaver, LCMHCA, is a licensed mental health therapist who integrates faith and mental health to support people navigating trauma, anxiety, identity challenges, and spiritual wounds. She practices from a person-centered, trauma-informed lens and uses evidence-based therapies including Internal Family Systems, EMDR, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, remaining culturally sensitive, flexible, and collaborative. Before becoming a therapist she worked in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and higher education serving marginalized populations. Kimberly holds an M.A. in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and dual master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice from Long Island University.

Fun fact: she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, savoring a good morning cup of coffee, and finding peace in the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude.

JANASHA KING
Counselor

Janasha earned her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University (2025) and brings over 10 years of ministry experience providing crisis support. She considers it an honor to walk alongside clients on their journey toward wellness and is passionate about eliminating mental health stigma, especially in Black and Brown communities. Janasha works to make mental health care more accessible to all and centers culturally responsive care. She is a mom to a teenage daughter and to a rescue pup named Pepper. A native Charlottean, she enjoys exploring the city for the best coffee and tacos.

Fun fact: Janasha’s favorite weekend hobby is hunting for the best local coffee shop and taco spot in Charlotte.

Morgan Rhodes
Counselor

Morgan became a therapist because she loves hearing people’s stories and understands how difficult it can be to open up and be vulnerable. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and compassionate space where clients feel seen, heard, and encouraged. She enjoys working with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges. She has a special interest in working with adolescents and older adults navigating life transitions, individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, and women’s issues. Her approach is warm, authentic, collaborative, and relational, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), activity-based interventions, and other evidence-based practices to meet each client’s unique needs. Morgan also incorporates faith-based counseling when desired, thoughtfully integrating clients’ spiritual beliefs into the therapeutic process.

Fun Fact: When she’s not counseling, Morgan enjoys game nights, tennis/pickleball, traveling, watching movies, spending time with Jesus, and a good belly laugh!

SARA RODRIGUEZ
Intern

Sara is currently pursuing her M.A. in Pastoral Counseling at Liberty University and holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Florida. She has over a decade of experience working with children, adolescents, and families in educational, church, and community settings. Sara is passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and valued. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside individuals as they pursue healing, growth, and hope. Originally from Florida, Sara moved to Charlotte in 2023 and enjoys traveling, serving in her local church, and spending time with her cat, Marley.

Fun fact: Sara has traveled to 28 countries and loves learning about different cultures.

BOARD MEMBERS

CHRIS PAYNE

(Lead Pastor of New City Church)

Nicole Taylor

(Chief Communications and Community Officer, Riverstone Logistics/Riverstone Foundation)

Casey Crimmins 

(CEO of Project 658)

Michael Boulware

(Director of Discipleship at All Saints Church Anglican Church)

BECKY Coneen

(Multi-Unit Franchise Owner | HOTWORX Fort Mill, Indian Land & Southern Pines)

Andrew Gertig

(treasurer)

(Engineering Lead at Cash App)

Andrew Weiler

(Board Chair)

(fintech product innovation  and client engagement)

You can make a difference in our city.

Church and City Counseling is a non-profit organization — which means our ability to make an impact is entirely dependent on the generosity of donors. To partner with Church and City Counseling financially, click the button below.

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