Hello, I’m Christine Hilton, LMSW
– a licensed psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience providing crisis intervention, psychotherapy, and coping skills coaching to individuals, families, and groups.
With my expertise in mental health and well-being, I can help you grow by overcoming challenges in life, improving relationships with others, and increasing your self-confidence. I believe there is no shame in asking for help to improve your current circumstances. In fact, getting help takes a tremendous amount of courage. I want to help you get rid of those obstacles that keep you from achieving your life goals.
As an experienced psychotherapist, I leverage evidence-based approaches to get results for my clients. I want to understand your issues, foster a safe therapeutic environment, and assist you in becoming the best version of yourself. I am dedicated to helping my clients find hope, make lasting changes, and learn how to live their life to the fullest.
I am available to provide teletherapy services to teens and adults late afternoon, evenings, and Saturdays.
I look forward to connecting with you, helping you understand the challenges you are facing, and teaching you the tools to make things better!
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
My mental health training and wellness experience is extensive.
Over the last 25+ years, I have treated people with a wide range of mental health conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, post-partum depression, grief and loss, and adjustment issues.
It has been my honor to be there with others to help them through their darkest hours. From a young age I witnessed the transformation of important people in my life helped by mental health professionals. This experience inspired me toward the path of helping others.
I began my journey obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Michigan State University. During these formative undergraduate college years, I began my own psychotherapy journey. Next, I completed a Master’s in Social Work with a mental health concentration at Wayne State University.
In my career, I have been fortunate to be trained by esteemed colleagues in psychiatry, psychology, social work, and nursing in a Metro Detroit health care system that stresses excellence in care. I have provided therapy and crisis intervention in all levels of care — inpatient psychiatric units, partial hospital programs, emergency departments, employee assistance programs, and an outpatient substance abuse clinic.
Some of the highlights of my career include helping suicidal individuals find hope and healing, facilitating support sessions for front line employees during the height of the pandemic, and leading a program that received “Program of the Year” recognition by a national organization. I have played a key role in developing wellness programming for healthcare employees and have represented suicide prevention initiatives.
Christine is trained in evidenced based treatment modalities:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Extensively trained by DBT founder Marsha Linehan’s organization Behavioral Tech in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a treatment especially affective for people who have difficulty managing and regulating their emotions. DBT teaches healthier ways to cope with skills of Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. It has been said that everyone can benefit from these life skills.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a goal-oriented and collaborative approach that focuses on the connective between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It offers tools to manage thoughts and emotions effectively. This can bring symptom reduction in for many mental health conditions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT emphasizes acceptance in dealing with negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances. ACT therapy encourages increased commitment to healthy, constructive activities that uphold your values or goals. When we act in line with our values we have greater life satisfaction.
Written Exposure Therapy
Written Exposure Therapy is a brief behavioral psychotherapy designed to relieve distress associated with traumatic events or post traumatic stress disorder.
Wellness Practices
Athletics and Fitness Association of America incorporates mindfulness and fitness principles as part of lifestyle balance. Christine has moonlighted as a group fitness and yoga instructor having been certified through AFAA and YogaFit.
Expertise
Grief and Loss
Adjustment Disorders
Managing Life Transitions
Mood Disorders (including Post-Partum)
Anxiety Disorders
Anger Management
Managing Parenting Challenges (all stages)
Overcoming Trauma
Assistance with Navigating the Mental Health System
Coping with Mental Health Issues of a Loved One
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Coaching
LGBTQ+ affirming treatment
Christine Hilton, LMSW is available by request for community presentations or media contact on a wide range of mental health topics.
~ CERTIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS ~
Licensed Masters Level Social Worker in the state of Michigan
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (intensively trained by Behavioral Tech, LLC)
Association of Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare member
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID INSTRUCTOR
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Grief Counseling Certification
Chippewa Valley Sex Education Advisory Board
District 14 Motocross sponsor
Michigan State University alumni
Wayne State University alumni
Hilton Wellness 