Rita Porter, LCPC - Therapist in Illinois

About Rita

Rita Porter is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois with 32 years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, and major life changes. Rita also supports those facing parenting questions, grief, anger, career transitions, and issues around self-esteem and ADHD.

Her style is straightforward and compassionate, aimed at guiding practical steps forward. Rita draws on several proven approaches to tailor care to each person.

Background and approach

She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify values and act on them despite difficult thoughts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify unhelpful thinking and build new habits. Client-Centered Therapy creates space for people to be heard and understood as they work through hard moments.

Sessions are collaborative and paced to fit each person’s needs. Rita listens for what matters most and helps set small, achievable goals. She aims to teach skills people can use between appointments so progress continues outside sessions.

Her background spans many concerns, including relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, substance use, and family-related stress. Rita’s long practice has given her experience with aging and geriatric issues, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, and immigration-related challenges. Rita holds an Illinois LCPC - license number IL LCPC 180.002881.

She offers services in English and works with people throughout Illinois who want practical, steady support for life’s challenges.

Therapeutic approaches and how they translate online

Rita frequently uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice difficult thoughts and still take steps that match their values. That approach can be helpful for anxiety, stress, and making changes in daily life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is another common method she uses to pinpoint unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors to see what works. CBT often helps with depression, worry, and building new routines.

Finding the right method is part of the work. Rita approaches treatment collaboratively and will talk with each person about their goals and preferences. Together they decide which approaches to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy fit into busy lives. These options allow for more flexible scheduling and make it easier to keep sessions consistent while juggling family, work, and other obligations. Licensed professionals can guide skill practice, breathing and mindfulness exercises, and homework assignments through these formats so progress continues between visits.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Rita address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, parenting concerns, grief, anger, ADHD, relationship and family problems, and related life changes.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. Sessions focus on listening, setting small goals, and teaching practical skills to use between meetings.

How long has she been practicing?

Rita has 32 years of experience working with a wide range of emotional and life concerns.

What are her credentials and where does she practice?

She is an LCPC - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, license IL LCPC 180.002881, and practices in Illinois.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

In what formats are sessions available?

Sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

How is cost handled for therapy sessions?

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

How do I begin working with Rita?

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

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 32 years
Licensed: Illinois
Languages: English

Next step

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