Dr. Kristi Hottenstein, LPC, LPCC

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein is a licensed professional counselor with two decades of clinical experience. She holds a doctorate in higher education administration and a master's in counseling. Dr. Hottenstein practices from Michigan and brings a practical, down-to-earth style to sessions.

She treats common concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship and intimacy problems. She also helps with grief, addiction-related issues, eating and sleeping concerns, and career stress. Her work includes attention to ADHD, compassion fatigue, and challenges that come with life transitions.

Her approach blends several methods to match each person's needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of her toolbox for changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered techniques to build values-driven goals and a collaborative relationship.

Dr. Hottenstein sees people as individuals who need tailored strategies rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Sessions focus on practical steps, skill building, and clearer decision making. She encourages self-awareness and responsibility so clients can respond differently to stress and conflict.

Her background includes work in counseling and higher education, plus leadership on a state counseling board. That mix informs her coaching for college selection and career planning as well as traditional counseling conversations. The overall aim is to help people find workable changes that fit their daily lives.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Dr. Hottenstein uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify patterns of thought and behavior that keep problems going. CBT sessions focus on concrete skills and small exercises to practice between meetings, which can work well in an online format.

She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify personal values and build committed action toward those values. ACT helps when people feel stuck by using mindfulness and willingness to make changes in daily life.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist and client discuss goals, preferences, and what methods feel most useful, then adapt the plan as progress is made. That collaborative process helps shape whether more skill-based CBT, values-focused ACT, or a client-centered conversation is best.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to give flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and screen-sharing for worksheets. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging work for quick check-ins, shorter reflections, or ongoing coaching between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and try techniques in everyday settings.