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Dr. Kristi Hottenstein, LPC

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Kristi is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

5.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Kristi. View 82 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Michigan, Texas, and 3 more

Recent reviews

Dr. Hottenstein is very good at understanding and helping me. I'm very grateful to have her as my therapist.

Reviewed November 2024

I was matched with a different therapist originally and did not get anything out of the sessions. I almost cancelled my membership with Better Help but decided to try and match with a new therapist first. I am so glad I did. Dr. Hottenstein is absolutely wonderful. She is clearly an expert in the field and is highly qualified. She is compassionate and intelligent. I’m so looking forward to further sessions with her.

Reviewed September 2024

More about Kristi

  • 20 years' experience
  • Female
  • LPC, LPCC

Whether you’re experiencing difficult times or new adventures, I’m here to help. I have been a licensed professional counselor in the state of Michigan since 2009. I am the practitioner/owner of Compass Counseling & Coaching, PLLC, a member of the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association and was appointed to their board in 2021. I have a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Toledo, a masters in Counseling from the University of La Verne and a bachelors in Sociology from Alma College. I provide counseling for individuals, couples, and teens, as well as provide college selection coaching. I have a very holistic approach to counseling because no two people are the same. I see each client as an individual requiring their own unique approach. I use a variety of counseling techniques, encouraging self-awareness and the acceptance of one’s own responsibilities in their personal journey. I believe the more we know ourselves, the better we can respond to situations.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Relationship issues Family conflicts Self esteem Depression Addictions LGBT Trauma and abuse Grief Intimacy-related issues Eating disorders Sleeping disorders Parenting issues Anger management Career difficulties Bipolar disorder Coping with life changes Coaching Compassion fatigue ADHD Abandonment Adoption and foster care Aging and geriatric issues Antisocial personality Attachment issues Avoidant personality Blended family issues Body image Caregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disability Codependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issues Coping with natural or human-caused disaster Dependent personality Dissociation Divorce and separation Drug and alcohol addiction Eating and food-related issues Emptiness Family of origin issues Family problems Fatherhood issues Fertility issues First responder issues Forgiveness Guilt and shame Hoarding Hospice and end-of-life counseling Immigration issues Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisis Veteran and Armed Forces Issues Money and financial issues Narcissism Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Postpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Pregnancy and childbirth Prejudice and discrimination Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Self-harm Self-love Social anxiety and phobia Women's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Existential Therapy
  • Gottman Method
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems

Licenses

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1225604028.

  • LPC · Michigan · 6401010570 · Expires October 2025
  • LPC · Texas · 87144 · Expires March 2026
  • LPC · Arizona · LPC-20541 · Expires November 2025
  • LPCC · California · 11514 · Expires May 2026
  • LPC · New Jersey · 37PC00845200 · Expires November 2024

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.

Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.

Reviews for Dr. Kristi Hottenstein

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

82 reviews

5
4
3
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Clients mention: Great Recommend Helped Wonderful Easy Helpful Supportive Easy to talk Support Empathetic

Dr. Hottenstein is very good at understanding and helping me. I'm very grateful to have her as my therapist.

Reviewed November 2024

I was matched with a different therapist originally and did not get anything out of the sessions. I almost cancelled my membership with Better Help but decided to try and match with a new therapist first. I am so glad I did. Dr. Hottenstein is absolutely wonderful. She is clearly an expert in the field and is highly qualified. She is compassionate and intelligent. I’m so looking forward to further sessions with her.

Reviewed September 2024

DR Hottenstein is a great Psychologist she’s great and honestly she’s been helping me a lot and gaining a lot of insights

Reviewed September 2024

Doc is the absolute best. I respect the care and directness in her thoughtful observations and I am also confident that she cares about me!

Reviewed September 2024

Great listener, insightful comments, highly educated and experienced, and easy to schedule.

Reviewed September 2024

She is terrific, personable, and puts into words what I can only provide examples of my experience.

Reviewed September 2024

Dr. Hottenstein is the best. She has greatly improved the quality of my life

Reviewed September 2024

Kristi is the best therapist I’ve had ever!

Reviewed July 2024

My therapist is the absolute best. I have grown a lot and I credit a lot of it to Doc’s insights , gentle hand, and genuine care for me….

Reviewed May 2024

Two sessions in and she is great. Really dialed in and tracking good conversations points. Looking forward to future sessions.

Reviewed May 2024

As someone who has done thousands of hours of therapy over decades and is trained in a form of therapy myself, I can confidently say that I have the best therapist ever. Words cannot truly express how grateful I feel.

Reviewed May 2024

Dr H provided great support and always had good strategies to apply.

Reviewed May 2024

She is amazing!!!

Reviewed March 2024

Kristi is wonderful. I don’t think that I could have found such a great therapist on my own. I can tell her anything and she’s not judgmental. So happy with her!

Reviewed March 2024

She is great!

Reviewed March 2024

Dr. Hottenstein is incredible! Could not be happier. I would highly recommend her to anyone.

Reviewed February 2024

Very respectful in her approach and kind when talking through problems

Reviewed February 2024

Dr. Hottenstein was wonderful to work with. She was compassionate and a great listener. She actively listened to me, and gave me new ways to consider solutions or ways of thinking through a situation, and reflected my progress back to me in a helpful way. Highly recommend.

Reviewed February 2024

She is great! Very down to earth and applicable advice. Supportive and thoughtful about how she speaks with me.

Reviewed February 2024

Doc is the best. Not only has she helped through a troubled time, she has helped me focus on how to better and healthier person.

Reviewed January 2024

Kristi is amazing. I have been talking with her for a little over a year now. She understands what I need is compassionate and respectful. She is flexible with my crazy schedule and so easy to talk to. I don't know what I would have done without her this past year!

Reviewed December 2023

I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Hottenstein again and cannot recommend her highly enough. Her ability to listen attentively and her compassionate demeanor stand out immediately. She provides a supportive space that encourages productive dialogue and problem-solving. Her insightful guidance has been instrumental in helping me navigate through my concerns. It's reassuring to know that she genuinely cares about her patients' well-being.

Reviewed November 2023

Greatest therapist. Dr Hottenstein is the best!!

Reviewed November 2023

Extremely easy to talk to and relatable.

Reviewed September 2023

She is able to give me support and guidance that I appreciate.

Reviewed August 2023

My therapist has been with me during the most difficult time of my life, and I feel so much gratitude for her support. I trust her completely and I look forward to every session.

Reviewed August 2023

Doc is great !

Reviewed July 2023

Dr. Hottenstein is great to work with. She listens attentively and with care. Let's you explore your feelings and how it's affecting you without judgment and works on finding a way to help you understand and move forward.

Reviewed June 2023

Since beginning my therapy with Dr. H, I have noticed a much better understanding of the things I need to keep me balanced in life.

Reviewed May 2023

Kristi is truly great, she is genuine and listens and also helpful when it comes to figuring out the next step for the problem at hand. I am glad i found her!

Reviewed April 2023

Dr. Hottenstein is thoughtful, experienced, empathetic- and can make me laugh even when I’m teetering on the verge of tears. Every session helps me breath a sigh of relief and I’m able to refocus and operate better!

Reviewed April 2023

Dr. Hottenstein is a wonderful therapist who I would recommend to anyone

Reviewed March 2023

Love my therapist she understands me.

Reviewed March 2023

She is amazing, attentive, intuitive and compassionate

Reviewed March 2023

Dr. Hottenstein is a wonderful therapist who listens and gives great advice. She make you think about how is that working for you. Highly recommended her.

Reviewed March 2023

She is attentive, caring, and inquisitive in a good sense. She tries her best to get to the root cause of your problems. I also appreciated that she is not trying to push her agenda, but works together with you to find a solution. She has a nice relaxing voice that helps me feel at ease.

Reviewed March 2023

I have been talking with Kristi once a week for 4 months since I lost my husband. She has been extremely helpful in helping me cope with such a significant loss, giving me advice, listening patiently, and giving me resources when needed. She is very easy to talk to, respectful and caring.

Reviewed February 2023

Dr. Hottenstein is a patient listener and does a really good job of connecting all the dots in my rambling to focus on core issues and ways to work through them. I really appreciate her guidance and expertise.

Reviewed April 2023

Dr. Hottenstein really helped me organize my life, recognize my goals, and figure out what was missing. She is an extremely caring, capable, and available therapist.

Reviewed February 2023

I feel Dr. Hottenstein is very knowledgeable and I am very comfortable talking with her about my issues

Reviewed February 2023

Very good

Reviewed February 2023

My therapist Is on point and listens. I find the sessions helpfulsessions and convenient.

Reviewed December 2022

She is wonderful!!

Reviewed December 2022

I had the pleasure of working with Kristi again today and I cannot say enough positive things about her. She is an incredibly knowledgeable and understanding professional who takes the time to really understand her clients and their individual needs. She is always willing to listen to my concerns and provided me with helpful advice and strategies to help me work through my issues. She is also very patient and encouraging, which makes me feel comfortable and able to open up. I would highly recommend Kristi to anyone looking for an experienced and compassionate therapist.

Reviewed November 2022

The best! Dr. Hottenstein helped me bypass a seemingly impossible section of the road that was the last few months of my life. Without her support, I feel like I would have been lost and would have continued down that bumpy road that leads to nowhere and despair. She held me accountable when no one else would. She helped me stay focused and driven by helping me look forward to my future, while acknowledging and simultaneously, helping me deal with my past. You would be lucky to have the algorithm match you with her. I was!!

Reviewed November 2022

She is wonderful. Attentive, full of great thoughts, ideas, and experiences. I love having her as my therapist

Reviewed November 2022

My Doctor is the absolute best !

Reviewed November 2022

Dr. Hottenstein is really nice, and she is a great listener. The worksheets that she gave me, and my husband really helped us to communicate in a better way.

Reviewed November 2022

Dr hottenstein is a understanding and very positive influencing therapist. She helps the mind create ways of thinking to help you lessen anxiety and be able to be positive about many situations that you fear in the near future

Reviewed September 2022

Great meeting. Dr Hottenstein was very easy to talk to. Very attentive to listening to my concerns and offering positive feedback. Very professional and helpful

Reviewed September 2022

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein is a wonderful, attentive, and empathetic person. She really helped me to organise my thoughts and see things from a different perspective. She is a kind and open listener. I enjoyed working with her and would recommend her to anyone who needs a hand in a difficult moment.

Reviewed June 2022

Dr. Hottenstein was very empathetic and helpful getting me through a stressful situation. I saw continuous progress. She was friendly and easy to talk to. Highly recommend!

Reviewed May 2022

Dr. Hottenstein is amazing! She is calming and easy to talk to. She also helped me see things in a different light so I start feeling better. I would recommend her and this app to everyone.

Reviewed May 2022

Dr. Hottenstein is attentive to your concerns and naturally provides professional compassion. She has helped me greatly in multiple areas.

Reviewed May 2022

Dr H is wonderful. I feel so comfortable with her. I appreciate her support and her expertise. I highly recommend her if a person wants a practitioner who is friendly, knowledgeable, and easygoing. She gently challenges me and asks me questions that encourage me to further reflect. She’s amazing.

Reviewed May 2022

Was never able to stick to one therapist until now! Grateful to finally have someone I can trust and count on

Reviewed April 2022

She is kind and empathetic. I'm very grateful to be able to share my experience with her and appreciate her professional support.

Reviewed March 2022

Never had therapy before cause I never needed it until I got shot then I felt the need to talk to someone and I’m glad I came here to better help.com

Reviewed March 2022

Thank you for listening

Reviewed March 2022

I look forward to my sessions because I always feel heard and understood. Kristi has helped me so much in ways that I didn’t initially come to therapy for. I 100% would recommend her to anyone needing help or support.

Reviewed February 2022

Dr. Hottenstein is professional, knowledgeable, and is extremely relatable. Her approach should be taught in every mental health program. Dr. Hottenstein is the Gold Standard in her profession!

Reviewed February 2022

Dr. Hottenstein has done wonders for my life, she knew exactly what I needed, and how to better my life. I appreciate everything she's done for me.

Reviewed February 2022

Dr Hottenstein has been incredibly supportive from the very first moment. I really appreciate and look forward to all our sessions. She allows for me to go on tangents enough to find the nuggets of gold but always pulls me back to focus on our therapy goals. I feel supported and like I know there is someone who has an outside perspective on my life who has got my back. It’s really quite special, because even though I have a loving family and group of friends, there are things I cannot quite vocalise to them and Dr Hottenstein is so good at piecing things together and helping me see myself. I often feel like “ooh you hit the heart of the matter there!”. She also encourages me to write journal entries, which I always worry are too long, but are very helpful for me. Thank you!!!

Reviewed January 2022

I had a great, personable experience in our sessions.

Reviewed January 2022

Dr. Hottenstein is a wonderful therapist, and I feel very fortunate to have found her. She's warm and caring, and just knowing she is only a message way is so comforting. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone I know and care about.

Reviewed November 2021

I really look forward to my sessions with Dr Hottenstein. I have been in therapy before where it feels like I just keep going and going, but never really make any progress. After my very first session with Dr. Hottenstein she gave me some very practical solutions to try. I love that she helps me take action to resolve the issues instead of just talking about them. Feels like talking to a friend who lets me do all the talking ha! Highly recommend.

Reviewed November 2021

Kristi is one of the most compassionate, calming and knowledgeable people I've ever met. She understood my difficulties and needs more than even I did and with her help I feel like I'm getting my mental health back on track. She's a truly fantastic therapist.

Reviewed November 2021

I used to laugh at the idea of therapy but I hit a very low period in my life and decided to try. I am glad that I did. I still have a lot of work to do but so far I no longer feel alone

Reviewed November 2021

Dr. Hottenstein very quickly helped me understand the areas I need to focus on, the goals to work on. She helps me with fantastic questions that help dig deeper and is a kind and supportive professional who has made me feel comfortable to open up from the very first session. She is clearly and expert but is also very friendly and personable. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to have her guide me through my difficulties, I feel I can count on her because she pays such keen attention to me, even when I go on tangents, haha.

Reviewed November 2021

Been having several sessions with Dr. Hottenstein and all I can say is that she’s great! She’s really super supportive and empathetic. She knows where you’re coming from and has been really helpful with ways on how you can improve the situation. Aside from that, she’s really approachable and easy to talk to. Would 100% recommend her to others.

Reviewed September 2021

Dr. Hottenstein truly listens to you and is engaged. She is very open minded and easy to talk to. Wonderful sessions, you always feel good after each session and she really helped understand things about myself that without her, I would not have been able to.

Reviewed September 2021

Dr. Kristi is full of great ideas and advice. Her friendly nature makes it easy for me to open up and I would highly recommend her. She's a great listener, empathetic and encouraging. I feel better every time we talk. Thanks Kristi.

Reviewed September 2021

It has been wonderful having her for treatment. She is easy to talk to and clear about goals.

Reviewed September 2021

Dr. Hottenstein is incredible!! She is a wonderful listener and really helps you garner new perspectives. She is so supportive, and I feel so lucky to call her my therapist!!

Reviewed September 2021

Dr.Hottenstein has been amazing in my short time having her as my councilor. She has helped me understand my emotions better, begin to process my emotions, and helped me get more introspective about how I feel. In just about a month, I feel better about some of my core issues and always look forward to our next session.

Reviewed September 2021

I would highly recommend Dr. Kristi to anyone! She is very supportive and encouraging. She was able to quickly understand what was going on with my concerns and was able to quickly address them.

Reviewed August 2021

Dr. Hottenstein continues to be very helpful in her counsel, supportive in both emotional ways as well as practical ways. Really appreciate that balance and also, the continued ease with which we're able to communicate, from day one.

Reviewed August 2021

I think she’s great and would definitely recommend her to a friend.

Reviewed August 2021

Shes fabulous and relatable, I am very very thankful to have found her!

Reviewed August 2021

I have not had many sessions with Dr. Hottensrein but from how I can tell she has been supportive and encouraging!

Reviewed August 2021

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein is very caring and compassionate. It shows in her ability to listen and understand someone’s situation or hardships. She provides empathetic support and meaningful guidance. I truly appreciate her help and wonderful insight!

Reviewed July 2021

I feel so lucky to have found Dr. Hottenstein. She has a warm demeanor and understood my issues immediately. Sometimes just feeling like you have someone in your corner can give great relief, and I would not hesitate to recommend her to my nearest and dearest. She is an absolute gem :)

Reviewed July 2021

How was your experience with Kristi?

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Kristi Hottenstein offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Dr. Kristi Hottenstein works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Dr. Kristi Hottenstein speak?

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein speaks English.

How many years of experience does Dr. Kristi Hottenstein have?

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein has 20 years of experience.

Where is Dr. Kristi Hottenstein licensed to practice?

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein is licensed to practice in Michigan, Texas, Arizona, California, and New Jersey.

Does Dr. Kristi Hottenstein accept clients outside of the United States?

Yes, Dr. Kristi Hottenstein accepts clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Dr. Kristi Hottenstein offer?

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

How can I communicate with Dr. Kristi Hottenstein?

Dr. Kristi Hottenstein can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Dr. Kristi Hottenstein?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

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When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.