As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I bring nearly three decades of compassionate counseling experience to supporting individuals through life's complex challenges. My approach centers on helping clients navigate emotional struggles with empathy, understanding, and faith-based sensitivity. I specialize in addressing depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, grief, and self-esteem challenges. My therapeutic work focuses on helping individuals overcome isolation, social anxiety, trauma recovery, and life transition difficulties. I'm particularly committed to supporting those experiencing guilt, shame, and challenges related to personal purpose and communication. My practice offers a supportive environment for individuals seeking guidance through difficult emotional landscapes, with a deep respect for personal faith and individual journeys. I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences, develop resilience, and move toward healing and personal growth. Drawing from extensive clinical experience, I provide thoughtful, personalized support tailored to each individual's unique needs and spiritual perspective. My goal is to walk alongside clients as they rediscover their strength, rebuild confidence, and create meaningful pathways forward.

Welcome! I am a person, who like many other human beings, has skills and talents. As a qualified mental health care provider with a doctorate in Clinical/Community Psychology, I have been using my talents to help people afflicted with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychological disorders. While I appreciate the wide-range benefits of an eclectic approach, I prefer and tend to apply cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and sociocultural models in counseling and therapy sessions. I view life as a journey in which we, as human beings, use our mind, body, and spirit to solve problems, overcome adversity, and enjoy life. Besides helping people alleviate symptoms derived from mental illness, I provide support for personal growth within the context life coaching and wellness sessions. The span of my career is more than twenty years. The local and global scopes of my vision as a healer, have led me to provide community psychology services in Chicagoland, numerous cities in other parts of the United States, and Ghana (Africa). These community-wide services entail conducting presentations at community health fairs, disseminating information for various type of awareness campaigns (examples: suicide prevention, domestic violence, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, smoking cessation, substance abuse, and Covid19). Moreover, I have imparted information about mental health through the media. I love providing psychological services! I am grateful to be gifted as a healer! Furthermore, I look forward to serving you! Enjoy balance in body, mind, and spirit, Dr. Athena Porter

As a licensed therapist with two decades of experience in Illinois, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice focuses on helping clients address challenges like depression, anxiety, life transitions, and interpersonal dynamics. I bring a compassionate approach to counseling, particularly supporting older adults, men, and those seeking a conservative therapeutic perspective. My expertise centers on helping individuals work through self-esteem challenges, social anxiety, communication difficulties, and feelings of isolation. I'm deeply committed to guiding clients toward understanding their life purpose, healing from past wounds, and developing healthier emotional patterns. Whether you're experiencing workplace stress, relationship transitions, or seeking personal growth, I offer a supportive and understanding environment. Drawing from extensive clinical experience, I provide targeted support for diverse challenges including mood disorders, panic attacks, midlife transitions, and family-related concerns. My approach is grounded in respect, empathy, and a genuine desire to help you discover your inner strength and potential for meaningful change.

So, you've already done the scariest part of this whole process, which is deciding that you want support and taking action. That takes incredible strength and humility, even if you may not feel that way right now. From here, it's my job to work together with you to find ways to channel that strength towards the goals you have and help reframe the way you're approaching challenges through support, humor, and compassion. I have experience working with adults and couples dealing with anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, identity development, and navigating major life changes. As a queer therapist committed to social justice, it's my mission is to create a space in therapy where all folks feel affirmed and heard, especially if that is not their experience in daily life. My practice is client centered and I believe that mental health and wellness also includes finding ways to include your passions and priorities into treatment. We can also incorporate meditation or spirituality into therapy if that's important to you. You've done the hardest part by starting this process

Has the COVID-19 create anxieties or other mental health challenges for you? Do you need a safe place to share your thoughts and feelings? I am a licensed clinician, who would love to be able to meet 1:1 with you to address your mental health needs. I truly believe in shared decision-making approach to therapy. I approach therapy from a collaborative approach, building relationships, and using evidence-based practice. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Work as well as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. I’ve been working in behavioral health since 2003. I have experience in providing individual, group, and family counseling. I have been trained in CBT Therapy, ACT Therapy, DBT Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focus therapy, harm reduction model, Gestalt therapy, and other evidence-based model. Preference: I prefer to work with adults ages 19 and above. I help people with dealing with all types of transitioning, life stressors brought on by relocating, career changes, new mothers, balancing work and life, relationships building, grief and loss, and setting boundaries.

I am licensed in Illinois with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & career difficulties. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

As an experienced therapist, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional well-being. My practice centers on addressing depression, anxiety, life stressors, and multicultural concerns with a compassionate, culturally responsive approach. I bring two decades of clinical experience working with diverse populations, focusing on women's issues, social anxiety, mood disorders, and family dynamics. My therapeutic style emphasizes understanding individual experiences, particularly around identity, life purpose, and personal growth. My approach is deeply rooted in creating a supportive, affirming space where clients can explore their challenges, develop resilient coping strategies, and cultivate meaningful personal transformation. I'm committed to honoring each person's unique journey with empathy, respect, and professional expertise.

I am licensed in Illinois with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Illinois with 17 years of professional work experience. I have my Ph.D. in community psychology and master degree in clinical social work. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Illinois with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, motivation, & self esteem. I also have experience working with confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Illinois with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, & anger management. I also have experience working with depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Illinois with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, anger management, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I am trained in motivational interviewing, Person Centered Therapy and have experience using grounding techniques as well as other relaxation techniques, I have helped people overcome social anxiety and take steps to help them reach their goals. Everyone is an individual and I believe that therapy should be tailored to each person. I also have experience working with people who have different needs.

I am licensed in Alabama and Illinois with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Illinois with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem, confidence, executive coaching, professional coaching, concentration, & memory. I also have experience working with focus. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!