Christine Walkons, MA, LPC, CAADC, CCS-M

Clinical Director Emeritus

Christine Walkons has been working in the addiction treatment field for over twenty-five years. She embraces a welcoming approach that eliminates barriers to treatment. Christine serves as a consultant to Sanford, and holds a place as one of the founding staff members and long-time Clinical Director, now Emeritus.

Prior to her position at Sanford, Christine served as the Executive Director for Our Hope, Grand Rapids. She was also integral to the development of their inpatient and intensive outpatient programs. In addition, Christine represented the Board of Counseling on the Michigan Health Professional Recovery Committee (MHPRC) for six years. And she is a surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). In that role she monitors the standards of Sanford as well as behavioral health organizations nationwide.

Christine has a home in Elberta, Michigan among the scenic dunes of Lake Michigan. At home she can be found walking on the beach or tending to her many fruit trees, vegetables and flower gardens.

Christine says, “I am in awe of the courage of every person who comes through the doors of Sanford. And I know that Sanford clients must feel safe in order to heal. The richness of the Sanford environment and community promotes the highest level of trust and assurance for individuals to recover.”