Christine Norton

Dr. Christine Lynn Norton, Ph.D., LCSW, is a distinguished social work scholar with over 30 years of experience working with youth and young adults in therapeutic wilderness programs, juvenile justice, schools, and mentoring initiatives. She earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, an MA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago, and an MS in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University-Mankato. Dr. Norton is a board-approved supervisor in Texas, specializing in positive youth development, trauma-informed care, adventure therapy, and outdoor behavioral healthcare.

As an Outdoor Research Scientist and co-director of the Outdoor Research Collaborative for Health, Wellbeing, and Experiential Engagement, she has led numerous innovative interventions in child and adolescent mental health. Dr. Norton founded the Foster Care Adventure Therapy Network, supporting current and former foster care youth through adventure therapy. She also launched Foster Care Alumni Creating Educational Success (FACES) at Texas State University and served as the Foster Care Liaison Officer to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for over a decade.

Dr. Norton has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, edited three books, and contributed to over ten book chapters. Her research, supported by more than $3 million in funding, has been presented globally. As an Honorary Professor of International Studies and a Fulbright Scholar, she has taught adventure therapy at National Taiwan Normal University. A TEDx speaker and ActivatEE storytelling coach, Dr. Norton integrates storytelling to foster resilience, leadership, and community.