Deana Porter, LMFT - Therapist in California

About Deana

Deana Porter is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who uses practical, evidence-informed methods to address relationship and family concerns. She focuses on everyday problems that wear people down - stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief, and parenting struggles.

Deana aims to create a calm space to talk through what feels stuck and make small, useful changes that help at home and in relationships. She draws on 29 years of clinical experience in California and adapts sessions to each person’s situation.

Background and approach

Conversations are guided by clear goals and exercises that feel relevant to daily life. Deana pays attention to how patterns in relationships and family history shape current challenges. Her work includes support for recovery after trauma, intimacy-related issues, and mood concerns like depression and bipolar disorder.

She also addresses practical family topics such as blended family dynamics, adoption and foster care questions, fatherhood issues, and caregiving stress. Sessions often include skills practice for managing emotions and communication. Deana uses several well-established approaches to guide therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers coping skills for strong emotions. The Gottman Method supports improving communication between partners, and Internal Family Systems helps people understand inner parts that drive behavior.

She tailors the conversation and plan to each person’s needs. Deana aims to support realistic steps toward a less stressful, more connected life, and to do so with respect and compassion.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Deana commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Gottman Method when appropriate. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is about spotting unhelpful thoughts and habits, then practicing clearer ways of thinking and behaving to reduce anxiety or low mood. The Gottman Method focuses on improving communication and problem-solving between partners, with practical exercises to rebuild connection.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, then try methods that fit the client’s situation. This is a collaborative process where plans are adjusted based on what actually helps.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to get support. Video calls let people work from home while phone sessions can be less formal and easier to fit into a day. Live chat and text-based messaging allow brief check-ins and ongoing skill practice between longer sessions. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care while accommodating busy family schedules.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Gottman Method

A research-based framework for couples, focused on how partners argue, repair, and stay connected. Practical and structured, with exercises to try between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she address?

She works with relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, mood concerns such as depression and bipolar disorder, stress and anxiety, grief, parenting, eating and sleeping struggles, and compassion fatigue.

What is her therapy style like?

Sessions tend to be practical and goal-focused with clear discussion and exercises. Techniques are explained simply and applied to everyday situations at home or work.

How much experience does she have?

She brings 29 years of professional experience practicing in California, working across a range of relationship and emotional concerns.

What credentials and location apply?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CA LMFT 46489, and practices in California.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Therapy can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what fits the client.

How are fees and billing handled?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 29 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

Next step

Talk to Deana

Takes a few minutes
Nothing to set up just to look
Stop at any point

Book with Deana