Dr. Kristi Hottenstein, LPC, LPCC

How different approaches work online

Existential therapy focuses on questions of meaning, values, and responsibility. It helps people facing big life decisions, loss, or a sense of aimlessness by examining what matters and how to live in line with those values.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, teaches people to notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then move toward goals that matter. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with chronic stress.

Client-Centered Therapy keeps the client's experience at the center, using empathy and reflection so the person feels heard and understood. This approach supports self-discovery and builds the foundation for other practical skills.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to choose tools that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That means reviewing how approaches feel in session and adjusting over time rather than committing to one path up front.

Online formats offer flexibility for busy lives. Video calls let people use visual cues and a fuller conversation. Phone sessions can fit into a work break or require less bandwidth. Live chat and text-based messaging make brief check-ins and skill practice easier between sessions. These options help people maintain continuity of care while balancing school, work, caregiving, or travel.