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- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
About Athena
Dr. Athena Porter, LCPC, is licensed in Illinois and has 21 years in practice. She works with people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and related concerns. Her work includes counseling for addictions, relationship and family issues, grief, parenting and career concerns, plus coaching and ADHD support.
Dr. Porter uses a mix of methods she finds helpful, including cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavior, existential, hypnotherapy and mindfulness approaches. She also draws on psychodynamic ideas and human-centered perspectives when they fit a person's needs. Sessions focus on practical skills, clearer thinking, emotion regulation, and addressing patterns that interfere with daily life.
Her background includes community psychology work in the Chicago area, elsewhere in the United States, and projects in Ghana. That work has involved public presentations, awareness campaigns on topics like suicide prevention and substance use, and media outreach about mental health topics. She describes part of her practice as combining therapeutic care with life coaching and wellness support.
People who come to Dr. Porter can expect short-term skill work and longer conversations about meaning and values when needed. She addresses caregiver stress, communication problems, isolation and multicultural concerns as part of her practice focus. Practical, straightforward talk and building coping tools are common elements of her sessions.
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted. To begin, prospective clients follow the site's process to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
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Therapeutic approaches used in online sessions
Dr. Porter commonly draws on cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy in her online work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying new behaviors to change mood and functioning. DBT emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance and improving communication skills, which can help with intense emotions and relationship strain.She also uses mindfulness techniques to help people notice thoughts and feelings without getting swept up by them. Choosing an approach is collaborative. The therapist and client discuss goals, try methods, and adjust the plan as needed to find what works best.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week and reduce travel time. They also allow for brief check-ins or regular weekly sessions depending on what the client needs and prefers.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What issues does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and related concerns including addictions, grief, relationship and parenting challenges.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior approaches along with existential, hypnotherapy and mindfulness methods when appropriate.
How much experience does she have?
She has 21 years of professional experience in clinical and community psychology settings.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She holds an IL LCPC and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.