Tonia Ballantyne, PsyD, LLP
Therapist
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Language(s): English
Insurances Accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross Complete, Meridian, & Washtenaw Health Plan.
As a limited licensed mental health provider, Tonia is unable to see clients with Blue Care Network.
Tonia’s clinical work is under the supervision of Dr. Sheryl Kelly
Education & Training:
Psy.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Clinical Psychology
Approach to Therapy: Tonia’s approach to therapy is centered on the belief that each person has the right to exist safely within their world and every relationship they hold in it. She prioritizes cultivating an environment of openness, understanding, and overall “humanness” within therapy. Rather than implying she consistently knows “what’s best” for her clients, she advocates for a collaborative relationship in which there is an understanding that no treatment is ever “one size fits all.” She values the therapeutic relationship and humor in her work. Her methods often utilize a trauma-informed, relational-cultural, client-centered approach with an aim of growing through and toward mutually empathetic, empowering, genuine, and safe relationships, including one’s relationship with themselves.
Selected Professional Experience: Tonia has strong experience working with undergraduate and graduate college students and has provided services to students at two different Big Ten Universities. Tonia completed her doctoral internship at The University of Michigan’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Center. While there, she focused on treatment and outreach related to sexual violence, gaslighting, and American Indian/Alaskan mental health. At the 2022 Big Ten Counseling Center Conference, Tonia presented a virtual talking circle on addressing gaslighting among marginalized groups. She also co-facilitated two therapy groups for sexual violence survivors, an ADHD support group, as well as an Anxiety workshop. Tonia strives to assist and empower her Native community. She is a member of the Society of Indian Psychologists and has presented at the Michigan Tribal Victim Advocates Conference on the perpetuation of rape myths among college students. Tonia additionally has experience working in medical systems assessing and treating mental health concerns among children, adolescents, and adults, including assessing for the neuropsychological impacts of arterial ischemic and hemorrhagic brain strokes.