- Individualized care
- Career and coaching
- Evidence informed approaches
About Kristi
Dr. Kristi Hottenstein draws on two decades of clinical work and leadership in Michigan to guide people through hard transitions and everyday stress. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education administration from the University of Toledo, a master’s in Counseling from the University of La Verne, and a bachelor’s in Sociology from Alma College. She is an LPC and a LPCC and runs Compass Counseling & Coaching, PLLC.
Her style is practical and individual. She treats each person as a distinct person, not a set of symptoms. Sessions focus on building self-awareness, naming what matters to the client, and deciding on small, manageable steps to try between meetings.
Her work covers a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, career questions, grief, trauma and addiction. She also addresses issues such as parenting strain, body image, caregiving stress, and coping with chronic illness.
Dr. Hottenstein uses multiple approaches to match the person’s needs. She draws from acceptance and commitment ideas, cognitive behavioral tools, client-centered listening, and skills from dialectical behavior therapy when useful. Her approach is collaborative and tailored.
She also offers coaching around college selection and career decision points, combining practical planning with therapeutic support. People who look for thoughtful conversation, clear options, and step-by-step plans may find this approach a good fit.
Her style is practical and individual. She treats each person as a distinct person, not a set of symptoms. Sessions focus on building self-awareness, naming what matters to the client, and deciding on small, manageable steps to try between meetings.
Her work covers a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, career questions, grief, trauma and addiction. She also addresses issues such as parenting strain, body image, caregiving stress, and coping with chronic illness.
Dr. Hottenstein uses multiple approaches to match the person’s needs. She draws from acceptance and commitment ideas, cognitive behavioral tools, client-centered listening, and skills from dialectical behavior therapy when useful. Her approach is collaborative and tailored.
She also offers coaching around college selection and career decision points, combining practical planning with therapeutic support. People who look for thoughtful conversation, clear options, and step-by-step plans may find this approach a good fit.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
AddictionsLGBTTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodMindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
Michigan, Texas, Arizona, California, New Jersey, Virginia
Languages
English
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes clarifying values and taking small committed steps toward them while accepting difficult feelings. It can help with anxiety, depression, and life-direction questions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on noticing thought and behavior patterns and testing small behavioral changes to reduce symptoms like panic or low mood. Client-Centered Therapy centers on active listening and reflection so people feel heard and make their own choices about change.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose which methods to try based on their goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful in early sessions. Plans are adjusted as progress is tracked and new needs appear.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people appreciate online work because it can fit into a workday, reduce travel time, and make follow-up easier after a session. Online sessions can also support short focused check-ins or longer deep work depending on what the client needs. Licensed professionals tailor session length and pace to practical life demands rather than promising a single fixed service.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, career questions, grief, trauma, and addictions, among other concerns listed in her profile.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. She focuses on increasing self-awareness, naming client values, and trying practical steps between sessions.
What is her background and experience?
She has 20 years of experience, a doctorate in higher education administration, a master’s in Counseling, and she runs Compass Counseling & Coaching, PLLC in Michigan.
Which credentials and region are listed for this therapist?
She holds LPC and LPCC credentials and practices in Michigan.
Can sessions be held in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not accepted at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.