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The Intern Option

Trinity Family Counseling Center has long been a premier internship site for counselors-in-training. Masters level graduate students must complete an internship for their degree education. The intern’s case work is directly supervised by the Owner and Director of the Counseling Center, Tonya Ratliff, who has extensive post-graduate training in counselor supervision.

At Trinity, we offer the intern’s services at a reduced fee of $25.00 per session. This opportunity allows those who might not otherwise be able to afford counseling services to experience the benefits of counseling in a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential environment.

Counseling services provided by the Intern include:

Individual, couple, and family sessions
Adults, adolescents, and children
Day and evening hours available
$25.00 per session
Services supervised by Approved Clinical Supervisor, Tonya Ratliff, LPC, NCC, ACS

At the current time, we are between intern assignments. However, we expect to have a new intern on site in the near future.

If you wish to be placed on the Intern Wait List, or would like to hear about our other options for affordable counseling, please call 586-254-3663, ext. # 1 to speak with our Director of Counseling Services, Tonya Ratliff.

It is with enthusiasm and the highest degree of confidence that I offer my recommendation of Trinity Family Counseling Center as a clinical internship site for counseling students.

As all counseling students know, the organization with whom you choose to complete your internship hours is critical to the fine tuning of your clinical skills, the continued formulation of professional development and the introduction to business practices. I can confidently assure prospective students that you will satisfy all these benchmarks, and more, as an intern with Trinity.

I fulfilled my Masters of Counseling internship at Trinity in 2013, under the supervision of the Director, Tonya Ratliff, LPC, NCC, ACS. My experience included providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, as well as children. The internship also included the opportunity to co-facilitate a grief support group as well as co-create a support group for women experiencing life transitions. I was provided continuing education throughout the internship with in-service seminars and workshops that helped to advance my clinical skills. Regularly scheduled meetings with Tonya included case conceptualization as well as personal and professional development. All of this was possible due to the professional organization, the attention to detail, and the highest level of integrity and ethics that are the mission of Tonya and her direction of Trinity.

I continued my supervision with Tonya post internship through full licensure, and beyond, as we continue to meet regularly.

Trinity Family Counseling Center provides an internship experience that leads students towards successful professional practice as well as confidence in, and appreciation for, the important work we do.

Thank you, Tonya!

Nancy Warkentin Houdek, LPC, NCC
Licensed Counselor and Psychotherapist
Private Practice - Farmington Hills, MI

As a former intern at Trinity Family Counseling, I would definitely recommend working with and being supervised by Tonya Ratliff, LPC. She is not only professional; she is gracious with her praise and instructional in her guidance. I learned how to be subtle but firm, gentle but tough and an incredible amount of therapeutic wisdom from her supervision.

In private practice now, and out of the scope of supervision, I still find time to consult with her on cases and always receive valuable input.

I would recommend Tonya and Trinity Family Counseling to anyone entering the mental health field as an internship site.

Angela Avery, MA, LPC, NCC
Board Certified Counselor, Owner/Therapist, Teen Whisperer, Divorce Expert, Author
The Counseling Studio - Clarkston, MI

I highly recommend Tonya Ratliff, LPC, NCC, ACS, as an exemplary supervisor for mental health professionals.

As a recent intern completing my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, Tonya was instrumental in my success of completing my education and working toward my future goals. Mental health professionals understand the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the quality of supervision depends on the emotional bond beyond the goals and objectives. Tonya cares deeply about the growth and development of the individuals she supervises. Tonya provides consistent, high-quality feedback in a thorough, timely, honest, and helpful way. She is a gifted mentor, teacher, organizer, and leader. I know I was blessed that our paths crossed and for what the future will hold.

Debbie Caine MA, LLPC, NCC
Former Intern at Trinity Family Counseling Center

I consider myself fortunate to have had my counseling internship at Trinity Family Counseling Center under the supervision of Tonya Ratliff, Director. I was given a client caseload for the entire duration of my internship. I had access to Tonya as my Supervisor for an hourly weekly meeting as well as any time I had questions or concerns in working with clients. In addition, I felt supported by the other counselors working in the practice any time I had a question for them. It is a warm and supportive environment.

The quality of my internship was outstanding. I was given the opportunity to work with clients presenting with issues ranging from anxiety, depression to couples counseling and parenting issues. I participated in the Walk With Me Grief Support Group led by Tonya, as all interns do for the six-week group. I felt prepared to begin my career as a counselor in private practice at the completion of my eight-month internship at Trinity Family Counseling Center.

Wendy Warner, LPC, NCC
Individual, Couple, and Family Counselor
Trinity Family Counseling Center