Dr. Kristi Hottenstein

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein brings two decades of counseling experience to her work in Michigan. She holds a doctorate in higher education administration, a master’s in Counseling, and practices as an LPC, LPCC. She leads Compass Counseling & Coaching, PLLC and has been active with the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association, including a board appointment in 2021.

Her style is broadly holistic and practical. She treats each person as an individual and blends approaches to match their needs. Sessions focus on building self-awareness and helping clients take responsibility for steps they can control. Common goals include managing stress, coping with life changes, improving relationships, and addressing anxiety or depression.

Dr. Hottenstein draws from several evidence-based approaches and tailors techniques to the client’s situation. She works with people facing grief, trauma, addiction, bipolar challenges, and issues around intimacy and self-esteem. She also supports people navigating career decisions, parenting strains, and caregiver stress.

She offers frank, down-to-earth conversations rather than jargon. Clients can expect practical strategies paired with space to reflect. Her background in higher education also informs college selection coaching for teens and young adults.

Communication occurs in English. International clients are not accepted. For anyone curious about next steps, she asks new clients to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions according to availability.

How her approaches fit online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice their thoughts without getting stuck on them and focus on actions tied to their values. It is useful for stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns, which often helps with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and daily life to decide which methods to try. Plans are adjusted over time based on what works and what the person wants to focus on.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before scheduling. Online or remote sessions can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy routine, shorten travel time, and allow more flexible scheduling around work or school. They can also support shorter check-ins or regular weekly sessions, depending on the person’s needs and the format offered.