Therapist profile
Dr. Athena Porter, LCPC
Dr. Athena Porter LCPC - Stress and parenting concerns
Continue with AthenaAbout
- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness work
About Athena
Dr. Athena Porter is an Illinois LCPC with 21 years of clinical experience. She has a doctorate in Clinical/Community Psychology and focuses on stress, anxiety, mood concerns, addiction, and parenting-related difficulties among other issues. Dr. Porter lists CBT, DBT, existential, hypnotherapy, and mindfulness approaches among the methods she uses.
Her style leans toward practical problem-solving. She uses cognitive-behavioral strategies to address thinking and behavior patterns. She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills for emotional regulation and mindfulness practices for grounding. Sessions can include coaching-style work for life changes and habit change.
Dr. Porter has provided community psychology services across the Chicago area, in other U.S. cities, and in Ghana. That work included public presentations and mental health information campaigns on topics such as suicide prevention, domestic violence, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, smoking cessation, substance abuse, and Covid-19. Her background includes outreach and media education as part of broader mental health efforts.
In sessions she blends practical symptom relief with attention to life direction. Clients may work on skills for managing panic, depression, or substance urges. They may also focus on communication problems, caregiver stress, family of origin issues, or career-related concerns.
Her approach is straightforward and task-oriented, with attention to values and meaning when that fits a client's goals. Dr. Porter notes that she offers coaching and wellness work alongside therapy for people aiming for behavioral change and better day-to-day functioning.
How sessions work
How therapy approaches shape online sessions
Dr. Porter uses cognitive-behavioral therapy to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT sessions often include straightforward skill practice, homework, and step-by-step plans to reduce anxiety, manage mood, or change habits.She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy for emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT skills training focuses on distress tolerance, managing strong emotions, and improving communication. Mindfulness practices are used to help people stay present and notice physical and mental states without judgment.
Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will help figure out which methods fit a person’s goals, symptoms, and day-to-day life. That choice can evolve as work progresses and as practical needs change.
Please confirm specific session formats before booking because the biography does not list them. Many people find online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, shorten commute time, or allow brief check-ins during the day. Different formats can also let someone skip video when bandwidth is limited or use shorter sessions for quick skill reviews.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She lists stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, addictions, relationship and parenting concerns among the issues she works with.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses practical, skills-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral techniques, DBT skills, and mindfulness. She also includes coaching and existential discussion when helpful.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 21 years of experience in clinical and community psychology settings, including public outreach and education work.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an Illinois LCPC and is based in Illinois.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are used?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed in the biography.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.