The Intern Option

We are pleased to offer the services of our newest Intern.

Shelley Kruszewski is the newest member of the Trinity Family Counseling Center team. She has completed all coursework required of her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Oakland University, and is scheduled to graduate in the Spring of 2023. Her work at Trinity is under the direct supervision of Tonya Ratliff, Director of Counseling Services.

If you are interested in the Intern Option please give Tonya a call today at
586-254-3663, ext. # 1.

Counseling services provided by the Intern include:

Individual, couple, and family sessions
Adults, adolescents, and children
Day and evening hours available
$35.00 per session
Services supervised by Approved Clinical Supervisor, Tonya Ratliff

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, LPC, ACS who has extensive post-graduate training in counselor supervision.

At Trinity, we offer the intern’s services at a reduced fee of $35.00 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.

It is a privilege to join with other counseling professionals in sharing my sincere appreciation for Tonya Ratliff as an internship supervisor and endorsing Trinity Family Counseling Center as an internship site.

As both the capstone to the academic journey and the launchpad to a counseling career, the internship plays a pivotal role for future therapists. I know for me it was important to find a good fit with regards to both the supervision and the site. With Tonya, I felt firmly supported, warmly encouraged, and expertly guided as I shifted my knowledge and skills from the classroom to a client caseload. In weekly supervision sessions, she offered perspective, suggestions and resources, but with an open-minded, flexible approach that left plenty of room for my “but what about…?” types of questions. She also made herself available as needed for any concerns.

At Trinity’s comfortable offices, I had the opportunity to see children, adolescents, adults, and couples/dyads for a variety of issues. I gained experience with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, stress, grief, marital issues, relational conflicts, parenting challenges, life transitions, sexual abuse, and other trauma. I also assisted in running a grief support group. The staff was welcoming and generous with their significant expertise, and I was included in bi-weekly staff meetings and in-service trainings.

I am grateful for the solid clinical experience and supportive professional development I received at Trinity, which equipped me to step into this field as a licensed professional. I can without a doubt recommend Tonya to any student seeking a meaningful, well-run internship experience.

Sherrie Darnell, MA, LLPC, NCC
Counselor, Trinity Family Counseling Center
Trinity Intern April 2021 - October 2021

I was extremely fortunate, as a graduate student, to fall into the Trinity family. I applied to TFCC, armed only with a single recommendation from a colleague who had heard of Tonya Ratliff’s goodness. I was brought into the well-organized and highly functional private practice passion that was perfected by Tonya, and immediately felt like a highly valued and contributing member of the staff. I had no idea how many questions I would have, I did not know the level of support I would need, and I could not have predicted the level of complexity I would soon experience in session. Tonya made herself abundantly available, and walked with me through my entire internship experience.

In addition to the valuable guidance, Tonya is fiercely protective of her interns which enables an intern to confidently perfect their education. But beyond all, Tonya provides encouragement that lifts the spirit in every consultation.

I remain indebted to Tonya Ratliff for her expertise and guidance that has made me the counselor I hoped one day to be.

Dave Papandrea, MA, LLPC, NCC
Counselor, Trinity Family Counseling Center
Trinity Intern January 2021 - August 2021

I would not be where I am in business today without the tremendous opportunity I was afforded at Trinity Family Counseling Center as their intern. Tonya Ratliff provided above and beyond supervision throughout my internship experience, while the rest of her staff continuously offered support and guidance. Immediately, I felt “at home” and was elated to see a variety of clients in a very quick amount of time. Grief, anxiety, depression, panic, chronic pain, self-esteem, parent-child relationships, and group counseling were just some of the cases I was exposed to throughout my internship experience. As my Trinity journey continued, my experience became even more rich, and by the time I had completed my hours I felt that I was ready to tackle my career with the utmost confidence. And, I always know I have Tonya in my corner.

Since exiting internship, I have hired Tonya to provide me with continued supervision throughout my LLPC hours. She is always prepared and willing to address any concerns I might have in regards to my counseling skills or a particular case that I might be working on. I value every hour of supervision and walk away feeling like a better counselor each and every time.

Josh Jostock, LLPC, NCC
Licensed Counselor and Owner of Hope Heal Change Counseling
Trinity Intern December 2018 - July 2019

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
Trinity Intern April 2018 - December 2018

I have had the pleasure to be an intern at Trinity Family Counseling Center under Tonya Ratliff LPC, NCC, ACS.

As a new counselor it was important to me to have the opportunity to develop strong therapeutic skills. Tonya was instrumental in providing exceptional training and support that allowed me to develop the skills required to be the kind of counselor I intended to be.

The internship site that Tonya provides is a beautiful and well established practice in the community. During my internship Tonya was able to provide a consistent caseload that gave me the opportunity to develop strong individual counseling skills with all ages, as well as gain the skills necessary to be a group facilitator in her supportive grief counseling support group. In addition to developing individual and group skills, Tonya provided excellent insight into what is involved in running a successful and highly respected private practice.

As a new and often anxious counselor Tonya was incredibly supportive and made sure to always be accessible to me when needed. Tonya instilled confidence and self-assurance in me by always reassuring me that 'I know more than I think I do'. This phrase still runs through my head when new and challenging moments arise.

I can honestly say Tonya truly invests in each and every intern providing exceptional knowledge, support, and guidance. She will not disappoint.

Cristin Patterson, MA, LPC, NCC
Therapist
Harbor Oaks Hospital - New Baltimore, MI
Trinity Intern May 2016 - December 2016

As an intern at Trinity Family Counseling Center I had an opportunity to grow and hone my skills as a counselor. Tonya’s constant encouragement and professional guidance helped me discover which population I could best serve as well as, giving me confidence to think outside the box. The entire staff was very knowledgeable, always happy to answer my many questions. Given the opportunity, I would highly recommend interning at Trinity.

Kathy Cap, LLPC, NCC
Counselor, Trinity Family Counseling Center
Trinity Intern August 2014 - August 2015

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
Trinity Intern August 2013 - December 2013

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
Trinity Intern February 2013 - August 2013

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
Trinity Intern May 2012 - January 2013