Clinical Training Program

Graduate students enrolled in a master's program who are interested in our Clinical Training Program may email cover letter, resume, and statement of faith.

Since 1992, the Chicago Christian Counseling Center has been involved in the clinical training of Christian therapists. It is our commitment to the integration of faith with the field of professional counseling that challenges us to provide this unique training for Christian therapists, some of whom are in secular institutions.

To date Chicago Christian Counseling Center has provided clinical internships to master's level students from the following schools: 

  • Adler University, Chicago, IL
  • Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
  • Capella University, Minneapolis, MN
  • Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL
  • Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
  • Governor’s State University, University Park, IL
  • Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL
  • Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
  • Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
  • Loyola University, Chicago, IL
  • Moody Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL
  • National Louis University, Wheeling, IL
  • North Park University, Chicago, IL
  • Northcentral University, Chicago, IL
  • Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL
  • Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
  • Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL
  • Suffolk University, Boston, MA
  • Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL
  • Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL
  • Walden Unversity, Minneapolis, MN
  • Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL

Students in our clinical training program are able to provide services under professional supervision to under-resourced clients at greatly reduced fees.

  • individual, couple, and family counseling
  • speaking engagements

Meet our graduate student clinical interns. They will serve clients at our locations in Chicago (The Loop - Regus), Orland Park, Schererville, and South Holland.

Call (708) 845-5500 or email us for an appointment.

 

Patrick Easley, BA

MA in Clinical Mental Health student
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
      Office Hours in Orland Park, IL, & Schererville, IN

Patrick Easley

 

Patrick Easley has earned his BA in Communications at University of Louisville and is currently pursuing his Master of Clinical Mental Health from Liberty University.

Seasoned with compassion and humility, Patrick Easley brings 13 years of pastoral experience to his counseling. He is a certified life transformation coach, published author, and devout lover of Christ.  

Having overcome adverse childhood experiences, Patrick is committed to creating safe spaces for other broken sons and daughters to heal, "one broken piece at a time."

Clients need safe passage to explore, vent, and heal. Patrick's objective is to create a non-judgmental and collaborative relationship with clients that gives them permission to evaluate and interrogate their lived experiences. "Realizing our schemas, core beliefs, and thoughts are key to understanding how we exist."

Patrick believes that the opportunity for healing begins at our point of awareness. He helps clients uncover emotions, cognitive distortions, and beliefs that have hindered them from reconciling to the better version of themselves. They will explore life meaning, freedom, and responsibility.

"The destination to healing and ultimate transformation requires us to travel down some rough roads, as well as park in some dark spaces. I promise to be with you at every mile marker."

He is supervised by Teresa Patton, MSW, LCSW.

 

Elizabeth Varela, BA

MA in Marriage and Family Therapy student
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL
      Office Hours in Chicago (The Loop - Regus) and South Holland, IL

Elizabeth Varela, BAElizabeth Varela earned her BA in Psychology from St. Augustine College. She is currently pursuing her Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from Northeastern Illinois University.

Elizabeth has been working as a beautician for over 30 years and has volunteered at her church for more than 10 years. Her passion for helping people to look and feel their best, combined with her deep faith, has inspired her to learn various ways to promote health and peace in people's lives. With 37 years of marriage and customer service experience, she has learned that strong and supportive couples are essential for happy families and strong societies.

Elizabeth believes in the importance of listening without judgment and offering support to those who are feeling sad, misunderstood, helpless, or frustrated. Her favorite quotes are: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), and “Pain is pain. Broken is broken. FEAR is the biggest disability of all. And will PARALYZE you more than you being in a wheelchair” (Nick Vujicic).

Elizabeth is bilingual (Spanish).

She is supervised by Heather Mulcahy, MSW, LCSW.