Christine Lynn Norton, LCSW-S, CCTP, CCAT, CET

Dr. Christine Lynn Norton earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, an M.A. in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago, an M.S. in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University-Mankato, and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and board-approved supervisor in Texas with more than 30 years of experience working with youth and young adults in therapeutic wilderness programs, juvenile justice, schools, mentoring, and campus support settings.

Dr. Norton has taught at The University of Denver, Prescott College, and Naropa University. Her research and practice focus on positive youth development, trauma-informed care, adventure therapy, outdoor behavioral healthcare, experiential education, foster care support in higher education, and international social work. She previously served as a Research Scientist with the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center and is now co-director of the Outdoor Research Collaborative for Health, Wellbeing, and Experiential Engagement.

At Texas State University, Dr. Norton helped launch Foster Care Alumni Creating Educational Success (FACES) and served for over a decade as Foster Care Liaison Officer to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. She also founded the Foster Care Adventure Therapy Network, an international network supporting foster care youth through adventure therapy.

Dr. Norton has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, edited three books, written over ten book chapters, and secured more than $3.1 million in research funding as PI and co-investigator. An Honorary Professor of International Studies, she was a Fulbright Scholar at National Taiwan Normal University, where she taught adventure therapy. She is also a TEDx speaker and ActivatEE storytelling coach who integrates storytelling into resilience, leadership, and community-building work.