Therapy

I view therapy as a “courage incubator” where we dare to imagine how life could be, take risks, practice new ways of being, and create a roadmap for a more fulfilling future.

Services

I provide online therapy to adults (age 18+) in Texas and in all other PSYPACT® participating states. To check if your state is included, you can view the map here.

My Approach

I believe (and research agrees) that a good fit between client and therapist is fundamental to our work together and is one of the biggest contributors to a satisfying, successful counseling experience. I see my primary role as a facilitator who can help you (the true expert on all things you!) tap into your talents, interests, growth edges, and inner wisdom to create the life you want. I have found that making meaning of the good, the bad, and the ugly in our lives is the key to our well-being.

Some of the values I bring to therapy include respect for my client’s autonomy, appreciation for your multifaceted identity and perspective, the importance of authenticity and compassion in our interactions, a sense of humor about the ironies of life, and a deep faith in your resilience. We all have foundational strengths that we can activate and build upon to overcome the challenges that keep us up at night.

If you are not familiar with counseling, it might feel a little strange at first. Unlike time spent with friends, the interaction may feel much more centered on you with little attention paid to me. Unlike visits to a medical doctor, the focus is not on diagnosing you with a particular illness or giving you advice about how to treat your problem. Instead, I will ask questions that help you get clarity, share insights about patterns and themes that emerge, provide strategies and resources that have proven useful to others in similar spots, and offer opportunities to try out new skills.

My priority is to create a confidential space where you feel safe to not only explore your most vulnerable thoughts, feelings, and behaviors but also experiment with new ways of talking to yourself, relating to others, and letting go of habits that no longer serve you.

Throughout our work together, you will remain in the driver’s seat, setting goals for what you want out of counseling and deciding on the best pathway to get there. We will regularly check-in to make sure that you are getting what you hoped from therapy and, if need be, adjust our approach accordingly.

If you’re curious about the theories and techniques that inform my work, I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), existential therapy, feminist therapy, and a positive psychology framework into counseling, tailoring my interventions to best utilize your strengths and achieve your goals.

I am actively anti-racist, an LGBT+ ally, a believer in body neutrality and a Health at Every Size® (HAES) approach, and welcoming of clients who have been historically marginalized by or excluded from therapy.

To learn more about my educational, professional, and personal background, please visit my About Dr. Porter page.

Areas of Expertise

Over the past twenty years working in high-volume clinical settings, including community mental health, domestic violence treatment, and several university counseling centers, I have honed my generalist skills while helping people with a wide range of presenting concerns. Through advanced training and experience, I have developed several areas of expertise:

Credentials

  • Licensed Psychologist in Texas (License #34515)

  • As a PSYPACT® provider with Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), I am able to provide online therapy to individuals located in 40+ states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming (Mobility #8226)

  • National Register Health Service Psychologist (Registrant #53202)

My therapy practice is currently full, so I am unable to accept new clients at this time. Please check this page for updated availability.

Fees

My rates are:

  • $300 for the first session, which includes a comprehensive initial assessment (60 minutes)

  • $225 for each additional session (45 minutes)

I am an out-of-network provider for most insurance plans, and am happy to provide you with a monthly statement that you may submit to your insurer for partial reimbursement. I recommend contacting your insurance provider to discuss their out-of-network benefits and needed documentation.

I recognize that therapy requires a significant financial investment. If you are looking for lower-cost options, we are fortunate to have a number of Austin area agencies that offer low to no-cost counseling. To learn more about these resources, please visit this helpful page of referrals gathered by Just Mind. For lower-cost therapists located across the country, you can check out the Open Path Psychotherapy Collective directory.

“You are okay, dear soul. Every living thing aches as it changes.”

— Jaiya John