Dr. Athena Porter, LCPC
Illinois LCPC focused on therapy and growth
- CBT and DBT
- Life coaching and wellness
- 21 years experience
About Dr. Athena Porter
Dr. Athena Porter is an Illinois-based licensed mental health professional who combines advanced academic training with more than two decades of practical experience. She holds a doctorate in Clinical/Community Psychology, an advanced degree that reflects specialized training in both individual clinical work and broader community mental health, and she is credentialed as an LCPC, a license for clinical professional counselors who provide therapy and counseling services.
Across a career spanning more than twenty years, Dr. Porter has worked with people facing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and a range of other psychological challenges. She values an eclectic perspective but most often applies cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and sociocultural approaches in therapy, tailoring methods to each person’s needs while supporting symptom relief and personal growth.
In addition to individual therapy, Dr. Porter offers life coaching and wellness-focused sessions to help clients pursue balance in body, mind, and spirit. Her community psychology work has reached Chicagoland, multiple cities elsewhere in the United States, and Ghana, where she has delivered presentations at community health fairs and contributed to awareness campaigns on topics such as suicide prevention, domestic violence, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, smoking cessation, substance abuse, and Covid19. She has also shared information about mental health through media outlets.
Dr. Porter is committed to helping people navigate challenges and cultivate resilience, and she welcomes the opportunity to work with those seeking therapeutic support.
Across a career spanning more than twenty years, Dr. Porter has worked with people facing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and a range of other psychological challenges. She values an eclectic perspective but most often applies cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and sociocultural approaches in therapy, tailoring methods to each person’s needs while supporting symptom relief and personal growth.
In addition to individual therapy, Dr. Porter offers life coaching and wellness-focused sessions to help clients pursue balance in body, mind, and spirit. Her community psychology work has reached Chicagoland, multiple cities elsewhere in the United States, and Ghana, where she has delivered presentations at community health fairs and contributed to awareness campaigns on topics such as suicide prevention, domestic violence, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, smoking cessation, substance abuse, and Covid19. She has also shared information about mental health through media outlets.
Dr. Porter is committed to helping people navigate challenges and cultivate resilience, and she welcomes the opportunity to work with those seeking therapeutic support.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingADHD
Additional Focus Areas
Caregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterFamily of origin issuesIsolation / lonelinessMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Smoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Hypnotherapy Mindfulness Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Athena Porter have?
Dr. Athena Porter has 21 years of experience.
Is Dr. Athena Porter a licensed therapist?
Yes. Dr. Athena Porter holds the LCPC credential. License details are IL LCPC 180.002727.
In which languages does Dr. Athena Porter provide therapy?
Dr. Athena Porter provides therapy in English.
Where is Dr. Athena Porter located?
Dr. Athena Porter is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Dr. Athena Porter as my therapist?
You can work with Dr. Athena Porter through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dr. Athena Porter work with international clients?
Dr. Athena Porter does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Athena Porter cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with a therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Dr. Athena Porter
Dr. Porter often uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a practical approach that helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and patterns and develop new skills to manage anxiety, depression, and mood-related concerns. CBT focuses on changing thinking and behavior to reduce distress and improve functioning.She also integrates dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) techniques when clients need support with intense emotions and relationship challenges. DBT teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication to help people respond more effectively in stressful moments.
Mindfulness-based strategies are woven into her practice to help clients build present-moment awareness, reduce stress, and strengthen coping across many life issues. These approaches are presented in accessible, practical ways so clients can apply them to daily life.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Porter works with clients to understand their goals, preferences, and circumstances, and together they select methods that best fit the individual’s needs. Licensed professionals and therapists can adapt techniques over time as needs change.
Online therapy with Dr. Porter is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for scheduling and access. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, maintain continuity of care during transitions, and connect with a therapist from different locations.