- ACT and CBT methods
- Couples and individuals
- College selection coaching
About Kristi
Dr. Kristi Hottenstein is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) based in Michigan with 20 years of experience. She combines clinical work with coaching to help people manage stress, relationship struggles, anger, anxiety, and life transitions. Kristi also supports concerns like grief, addictions, sleep and eating issues, ADHD, and career questions.
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. Kristi opened Compass Counseling & Coaching, PLLC, and has been involved with the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association, including a board appointment in 2021.
In session she uses practical methods from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered work, and Existential Therapy. Conversations focus on what is happening now and on small, doable steps a person can try between sessions. She aims to increase self-awareness and personal responsibility so people can respond differently to stress and conflict.
Kristi works with individuals and couples, and she also meets with teens. She offers coaching around college selection alongside counseling. Her approach mixes talking, skill-building, and problem-solving rather than relying on a single method.
People who seek help for intense emotions or recurring patterns will find a clinician who prioritizes practical strategies. The emphasis is on clear goals, measurable steps, and building skills to manage anger, relationship difficulties, and day-to-day pressure.
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters to the person and taking committed steps toward those values. It helps with ongoing patterns like chronic anger, avoidance, and difficulty following through on goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and anger that shows up in daily life. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improved communication for people who struggle with intense feelings and relationship conflict.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose methods that match their goals, preferences, and what shows up in sessions. That plan can change as progress is made, and decisions are made together rather than prescribed up front.
Session formats are not specified here, so confirm the exact options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove the need to travel to appointments. These practical features often help people keep therapy consistent while working on anger, relationships, and everyday stress.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Michigan, Texas, Arizona, California, New Jersey, Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, relationship problems, depression, addictions, grief, sleep and eating issues, ADHD, career changes, and related concerns.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style mixes talk with practical skill-building. She uses a combination of ACT, CBT, DBT, client-centered, and existential approaches to create a clear plan.
How long has she been practicing?
She has been a licensed professional counselor since 2009 and has20 years of experience in counseling and coaching.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is an LPC and an LPCC and practices in Michigan.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are used?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.