Dr. Kristi Hottenstein, LPC, LPCC

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein is a licensed professional counselor with two decades of experience. She holds a doctorate 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. Dr. Hottenstein practices in Michigan and draws on a broad background to guide people through stress, anxiety, relationship problems, addictions, and grief.

She sees each person as an individual and builds treatment around what matters to them. Sessions focus on increasing self-awareness, clarifying values, and learning practical ways to respond to hard situations. She uses a mix of approaches so work in therapy can be tailored to real-life needs.

Her way of working is collaborative and straightforward. She helps people identify patterns that cause pain, learn skills to change those patterns, and set small, achievable goals. The tone is curious and supportive rather than judgmental.

Dr. Hottenstein also offers coaching for life transitions like college selection and career shifts. With experience on a state counseling board and in private practice, she blends clinical tools with practical planning. Clients who want a mix of skill-building and meaning-focused conversation often find this approach useful.

People come to her for a wide range of concerns including depression, trauma and abuse, eating and sleeping issues, intimacy-related problems, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Her practice aims to help people move forward, make clearer choices, and feel more grounded in day-to-day life.

How her approaches shape online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying personal values and taking action that reflects those values. It helps people get unstuck by identifying what matters and practicing small steps toward those goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, concentrates on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete skills to shift unhelpful patterns. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, and coping skills. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist listens carefully and follows the client's lead to support growth and self-understanding.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That decision can change as the work progresses and new priorities emerge.

Practical benefits of online therapy include easier scheduling around work or school, fewer interruptions from travel, and the ability to join sessions from wherever a person has quieter surroundings. Because formats were not specified in the original biography, confirm current session options before booking. Sessions are designed to fit into everyday life and focus on usable skills and problem-solving rather than abstract theory.