Therapist profile
Dr. Athena Porter, LCPC
Illinois
Dr. Athena Porter, LCPC - Anxiety and Anger
Continue with AthenaKey details
- CredentialsLCPC
- LicenseLCPC, Illinois / 180.002727
- NPI1306942107
- Experience21 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationIllinois
About
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness practices
- Coaching and wellness
About Athena
Dr. Athena Porter is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 21 years of clinical experience. She works with adults on concerns such as stress, anxiety, anger, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, addiction, and relationship and parenting challenges.
Her background includes a doctorate in Clinical/Community Psychology and a long history of community mental health work in the Chicago area, other U.S. cities, and Ghana. She has run public education efforts on topics like suicide prevention, domestic violence, PTSD, substance use, smoking cessation, and pandemic-related coping.
In sessions she uses a mix of approaches, leaning on cognitive-behavioral methods, dialectical behavior ideas, existential questions, hypnotherapy, and mindfulness techniques. That means she often focuses on practical skills, the role of thinking patterns, moment-to-moment awareness, and deeper meaning when relevant.
She also offers coaching and wellness work alongside psychotherapy. Those sessions may focus on practical problem solving, habit changes, and steps toward clearer goals in career or daily life. Her experience includes outreach and education as well as individual clinical work.
People seeking help for anger, relationship strain, grief, or life transitions can expect direct, skills-oriented conversation. The therapist frames work as collaborative and action-focused, helping people notice patterns, experiment with new responses, and develop routines that fit everyday life.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches and how they fit online
Dr. Porter often uses cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT is practical and useful for anger, anxiety, mood problems, and stress management.She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy ideas that teach emotion-regulation skills, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Those skills help when strong feelings arise or relationships get strained. Mindfulness therapy is another frequent element and introduces attention practices to reduce reactivity and increase awareness of body and mind in the moment.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to identify goals, try different techniques, and adjust plans based on what helps. That means techniques may shift over several sessions as priorities and preferences become clearer.
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Discuss scheduling and format preferences during the matching and first-session planning so sessions match everyday life and practical constraints.
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 concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and parenting issues, and related concerns listed in her specialties.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach mixes cognitive-behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, existential questions, hypnotherapy, and mindfulness. Sessions emphasize skills, practical steps, and reflection.
How long has she practiced?
She has 21 years of professional experience, including community outreach and clinical work in Illinois and other locations.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an Illinois LCPC and practices in Illinois; her background includes a doctorate in Clinical/Community Psychology.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies by location and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the 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 unsafe, use the crisis numbers.