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Deana Porter

Deana Porter, LMFT

Therapist in California

Therapist focused on relationships and self esteem

Continue with Deana

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29 years of experience listed

LMFT professional credentials

English languages

  • Relationship focus
  • Self esteem support
  • 29 years experience

About Deana

Deana Porter is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. She brings 29 years of experience helping people facing relationship strain, trauma, and challenges with intimacy. She also supports clients working on motivation, self esteem, and confidence.

She focuses on practical conversations that address what matters now. Sessions are shaped around each person's goals and situation. Deana listens closely and adapts the approach to what the person finds most helpful.

Her work draws on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to address patterns of thought and emotion. She also uses the Gottman Method for relationship concerns and Internal Family Systems to work with inner parts when that fits the client's needs.

Deana has supported people through grief, stress, depression, bipolar mood concerns, and the effects of trauma and abuse. She also helps with parenting strain, blended family issues, adoption and foster care topics, caregiving stress, and common communication and commitment struggles.

The tone in sessions tends to be respectful and down-to-earth. Deana aims to help people notice small changes that make daily life easier. She invites clients to take one brave step and then assesses what comes next together.

How these approaches translate to online work

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, helps people notice and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns and focuses on practical skills and small experiments. DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to manage intense feelings and improve relationships. The Gottman Method offers structured ways to improve communication and resolve conflict in close relationships.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and how they respond to different techniques. Together they decide which methods to prioritize and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know how sessions will be scheduled. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also lets people use strategies learned in sessions more quickly in their daily routines. Licensed professionals adapt exercises, homework, and communication to work well in an online format and to match each person's schedule and needs.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteem

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyGriefEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesGuilt and shameHoardingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesNarcissismSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodInternal Family Systems

Experience

29+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist help with?

She helps people with relationship and intimacy concerns, trauma and abuse, self esteem, stress, anxiety, grief, eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, anger, career challenges, depression and bipolar mood concerns.

What is her general therapeutic style?

The approach is practical and collaborative. Sessions focus on clear goals and flexible strategies that fit each person's situation.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 29 years of professional experience working with a wide range of relationship and mental health concerns.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, practicing in California.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the United States work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the continue button on this profile, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling based on therapist availability.

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