Dr. Athena Porter , LCPC

Dr. Athena Porter is a doctoral-level clinician who combines clinical training with community-focused practice to support people facing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress, schizophrenia, and related challenges. With a doctorate in Clinical/Community Psychology and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor credential (LCPC), she brings more than two decades of experience to individual therapy, life coaching, and wellness work. Her clinical approach draws from cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and sociocultural models, allowing her to tailor interventions to each person’s strengths, values, and circumstances.

Dr. Porter views life as a journey in which mind, body, and spirit interact to solve problems, overcome adversity, and cultivate meaning. In addition to addressing symptoms of mental illness, she supports clients who seek personal growth, improved coping skills, and greater balance through coaching and wellness sessions. Her practice emphasizes practical strategies as well as deeper exploration of life context and identity.

Across more than 21 years of practice, Dr. Porter has provided services in Chicagoland, other U.S. communities, and Ghana, delivering community presentations and outreach on topics such as suicide prevention, domestic violence, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, smoking cessation, substance use, and public health responses to Covid-19. She has also shared mental health information through media appearances and community campaigns. Dr. Porter remains committed to serving individuals and communities with compassion, clinical expertise, and a broad view of healing.

Evidence-Informed Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Athena Porter uses a blend of evidence-informed methods to address emotional and behavioral concerns in online sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behavior patterns and developing practical strategies to change them - it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to help people manage intense emotions and improve relationships. Mindfulness Therapy introduces practices that build present-moment awareness and calm, supporting stress reduction, coping with difficult feelings, and attention regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Porter works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, set goals, and determine which combination of techniques best fits the client’s preferences and life circumstances. That collaborative process helps tailor sessions to be both practical and personally meaningful.

Online therapy with Dr. Porter offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, to continue care during life transitions, and to receive consistent support from licensed professionals and therapists without travel burdens.