Christine Walkons

Christine Walkons is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 35 years of experience working in the behavioral health field in both the non-profit and for-profit arenas. She has led business and clinical development as a clinician, administrator, clinical supervisor, and consultant. Christine started her accreditation career in 2001 while working as the Executive Director of an integrated substance use disorder/mental health residential and intensive outpatient program in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After retiring from this position and moving to northern Michigan, she returned to Grand Rapids to assist in the development and management of a new treatment center, focusing on gender-specific residential treatment, outpatient services, inpatient detoxification, and residential and outpatient programs for persons with eating disorders. She has worked in both program and staff development and has guided her organizations through nine successful accreditations.  Christine is a past member of the Michigan Health Professional Recovery Committee, representing the Michigan Board of Counseling. She has assisted in writing curriculum for the Specialty Degree in Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SPADA) for Western Michigan University. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University and has specialty certifications as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) and Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS-M).

For the past 22 years, Christine has provided results-orientated consultancy to organizations seeking CARF accreditation. Her reviews have improved the effectiveness of clinical services delivery to CARF accredited organizations throughout the United States. She is passionate about recovery and has worked with various support groups to endorse healing from alcohol and drug addiction and mental health disorders. As a strong supporter of the CARF accreditation process, Christine believes that organizations who earn and live accreditation enhance their services and produce quality outcomes to ultimately improve the lives of the persons served.