About Us
Our Clinicians
Caitlin Clendenin, MA, LCMHCA (NC)
Therapist
IFS-trained
ASAT Candidate
Gottman Method Level 1
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Caitlin graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2011 and received a Master's in Teaching (Elementary Education) from NC State University in 2019. In 2024, she received her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University.
Before becoming a counselor, Caitlin worked in teaching and ministry roles, where her calling to the mental health field was developed and refined. Inspired by the words of Sister Helen Prejean, who told the individuals she accompanied that she would be "the face of love" to them, Caitlin has a deep desire to extend the heart and voice of compassion toward her clients until they are able to offer it to themselves.
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Caitlin has received training in Internal Family Systems, sex addiction therapy, and the Gottman Method (Level 1). She has experience working with individuals and couples, drawing from attachment, polyvagal, cognitive behavioral, and compassion-based therapies.
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She provides therapy online across North Carolina and in person in Cary, North Carolina.
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Outside of work, Caitlin enjoys solo traveling, being outside with her dog, and spending time with family.
Lauren Clendenin Thomas, MA, LPC (PA), LCMHCA (NC)
Therapist
EMDR-trained
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Lauren graduated from Wake Forest University in 2002 and received her Master’s in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2005. After working for 2 years as the Shelter Manager at Friend to Friend in Carthage, NC, she was on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Duke and Elon Universities.
Lauren began working in private practice in 2020. She offers counseling for anxiety, trauma, and challenging life transitions (i.e. divorce and death, college to career, empty nest, etc.). Lauren is EMDR-trained and enjoys using this tool to help remove the emotional charge from past traumatic events. She feels passionately about helping people see and believe in their worthiness and value. Lauren offers Christian counseling upon request but welcomes clients from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Lauren provides therapy in-person in Lee County, NC and surrounding areas, as well as online counseling across North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
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When not in session, Lauren is a wife and homeschooling mom to two boys. She enjoys music and the arts, travel, and good conversation over coffee.
Randy Clendenin, MA
Founder and Executive Director
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Randy Clendenin received his Master’s in Counseling from Regent University in 1992, and began his private practice at Bridge Builders Counseling and Consulting Services in Southern Pines, NC. Over the past 32 years Randy has served nearly 14,000 clients. He authored the book Relationship – Building Bridges to Connect People in 2001, and recently published a limited-edition devotional, “Consider These Words." Randy offers spiritual direction for those interested in becoming an apprentice of Jesus, and leads small groups upon request.
Our History
In 1992, Randy Clendenin opened Bridge Builders Counseling and Consulting Services, serving individuals, couples, and families in North Carolina. In 2001, he felt an urgent need to expand the vision and form a non-profit organization to reach more people with relationship-building opportunities. The primary purpose of Bridgebuilder Ministries International (BMI) is to build relational bridges, connecting people to impact the world for Christ. When Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” He replied, “To love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and to love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37). BMI strives to fulfill these commands by equipping people to build interpersonal relationships based on biblical principles.
Since 2024, the ministry of Bridgebuilder has expanded to include Randy’s daughters Lauren (Master’s in Counseling, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) and Caitlin (Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Regent University).