- CBT and mindfulness
- Focus on coping skills
- 21 years experience
About Athena
Dr. Athena Porter brings more than 21 years of clinical experience to her practice in Illinois. She holds a LCPC and a doctorate in Clinical/Community Psychology. Dr. Porter focuses on helping people facing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, trauma, and related challenges. She also supports people working through relationship concerns, parenting strain, career questions, addiction, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster.
Her approach blends cognitive-behavioral methods with mindfulness and existential perspectives. That means sessions often look at current thinking and behavior patterns, build skills to manage strong emotions, and consider life meaning and values. Hypnotherapy is also part of her toolkit when appropriate for a client's goals.
Dr. Porter describes therapy as a partnership. She offers straightforward, practical strategies alongside space to reflect on deeper issues. Sessions may include learning coping skills, practicing new ways to handle stress, and planning steps for change.
Her background includes community psychology work across Chicagoland, other U.S. cities, and Ghana. That work involved public education, presentations at health events, and awareness campaigns on topics like suicide prevention, domestic violence, PTSD, substance use, and smoking cessation.
People who choose Dr. Porter often want a mix of symptom relief and personal growth. She aims to help clients find better balance in mind, body, and spirit while working toward concrete goals.
How approaches like CBT and mindfulness translate to online work
Dr. Porter uses cognitive-behavioral therapy to help people identify unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors. CBT is often focused and practical, which can make it useful for anxiety, stress, panic, and mood concerns. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and increase calm; these skills can support coping with trauma, stress, and cravings.She also draws on existential ideas to discuss life choices, values, and meaning when clients want that focus. Choosing an approach is a collaborative process - the therapist and client will discuss goals, preferred ways of working, and try methods together to see what fits best. Adjustments are made over time based on what helps.
Session formats and scheduling options should be confirmed before booking. Ask about the current ways she meets with people when you complete the matching questionnaire. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so sessions can happen from different locations. These practical benefits often help people keep therapy consistent while working toward their goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, trauma and many related concerns such as grief, addiction, relationship and parenting issues, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Sessions mix practical skill-building with reflective conversation. Expect cognitive-behavioral work, mindfulness practices, and attention to personal values and meaning.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 21 years of experience delivering psychological services in clinical and community settings.
What credential and region does she practice in?
She holds an IL LCPC and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.