Carmen Porter , LPC

Carmen Porter is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) based in Pennsylvania with seven years of clinical experience. She earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chatham University in 2014 and has focused her career on helping individuals and families move through hardship toward resilience and growth. The LPC credential indicates formal licensure to provide counseling, and the CCTP designation reflects specialized training in working with trauma and its effects.

Carmen works with clients who are often self-aware, observant, strong, intelligent, and sensitive, as well as those who may feel overwhelmed, ashamed, anxious, depressed, self-conscious, or defeated. She supports people in managing physical, emotional, and experiential symptoms that keep them stuck, processing distressing experiences, and imagining a future grounded in hope. Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, depression, addictions, family challenges, sleep issues, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.

Treatment is individualized to each person’s needs. In an initial session Carmen explores presenting concerns and their impact, assesses goodness of fit, and collaborates with clients to develop clear goals to guide subsequent work. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion while tailoring a plan that supports meaningful change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Carmen blends client-centered therapy with evidence-informed skills-based approaches to meet each person where they are. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a respectful, empathic relationship in which the client’s values and goals guide the work - it helps people feel heard and build self-directed change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) explores the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, offering practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and difficult life patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills, which can be especially useful for intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Carmen works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress unfolds. This collaborative process helps ensure therapy stays relevant and effective for each individual.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage in this work. Sessions can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, giving clients options that fit their schedules, mobility, and comfort. For many people these formats make it easier to access licensed professionals and continue consistent care alongside everyday responsibilities.