IFSTherapists

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LMFT

Deana Porter, LMFT

  • Experience29 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasRelationship, Family, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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About Deana

Deana Porter is a licensed marriage and family therapist with extensive experience blending relational and trauma-informed work. With 29 years in the field, she combines practical strategies and empathic listening to address relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and struggles with self-esteem and motivation.

Background and approach

Her clinical toolbox includes Internal Family Systems alongside evidence-based approaches aimed at improving communication, coping, and emotional regulation. Her practice emphasizes individualized care that honors each person’s history and current needs.

Deana draws on methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques and skills from dialetical behavior therapy to help clients manage stress, anxiety, mood concerns, and life transitions. She also brings experience supporting people with grief, parenting and caregiver stress, eating and sleeping difficulties, and complex family dynamics including adoption, blended families, and family-of-origin challenges.

Clients can expect a respectful, sensitive, and compassionate therapeutic stance that adapts interventions to fit specific goals. Deana frames change as a collaborative process and focuses on practical steps for building confidence, improving communication, and restoring balance in relationships and daily life.

Integrating Relational Methods with Online Therapy



Internal Family Systems (IFS) offers a way to understand internal parts and their roles, helping people explore conflicting feelings and self-protective strategies to reduce inner turmoil and improve self-compassion. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related challenges. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, supporting clients who need tools to manage intense emotions and improve relationships.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist collaborates with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals, and preferences. She will discuss options, try techniques, and adapt the plan over time so the work feels aligned with what the client hopes to achieve.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for people balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. These formats make it easier to maintain momentum between sessions, access timely support, and practice new skills in everyday environments while working with licensed professionals committed to individualized care.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related concerns, self-esteem, stress, anxiety, grief, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting and anger, bipolar and depressive symptoms, and coping with life changes among other related topics.
What therapeutic approaches does she use?
Her work incorporates Internal Family Systems alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and elements of the Gottman Method to address relationship and emotional regulation goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 29 years of professional experience helping clients with relational, trauma, mood, and life transition concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, credentialed as CA LMFT 46489, and practices in California.
Does she offer services in multiple languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
In what formats are sessions available?
Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their preferences and scheduling options.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided via a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

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

Licensed

California

Languages

English