Dr. Melissa Porter

Welcome. I’m Dr. Melissa Porter, a licensed clinical psychologist (she/her). I bring more than 20 years of experience helping adults navigate some of life’s most challenging seasons. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, burnout, grief, life transitions, relationship concerns/ENM/Kink, divorce, low confidence, and the feeling of being stuck or unsure how to move forward. I also have extensive experience supporting healthcare professionals, college students, individuals in high-pressure environments, and clients seeking affirming care around gender identity. I hold a board certification as a Transgender Care Therapist and strive to create a space where you feel respected, understood, and supported as your whole self. My goal is to help you better understand what is keeping you stuck, build resilience, strengthen relationships, and develop practical strategies for meaningful change.

My approach is collaborative, practical, evidence-based, and tailored to your unique needs and goals. I believe therapy should be a place where you feel heard and understood, but also equipped with tools that help create real change outside of session. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed care, EMDR principles, and other evidence-based interventions. In session, we may work on identifying thought patterns that fuel anxiety or depression, clarifying your values, processing trauma, building coping skills, improving emotional regulation, strengthening relationships, and developing strategies for stress, burnout, grief, or major life transitions. My style is warm, direct, supportive, and grounded. I believe therapy works best when it helps you understand yourself more clearly while building the confidence and skills to move forward.

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin understanding what brings you to therapy. I will spend time learning about your current concerns, your history, your strengths, your relationships, and what you hope will be different as a result of our work together. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, burnout, grief, relationship challenges, divorce, gender identity concerns, or feeling stuck in a painful pattern, we will begin identifying goals and a direction that fits your needs. I will also explain my approach to therapy and work collaboratively with you to develop a plan that feels supportive, practical, and aligned with your preferences. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, respected, and clearer about where we can focus our work together.