E.Porter Counseling

Approach

I provide a warm, collaborative space where you can reflect, explore your experiences, and speak openly about what has brought you to therapy. Grounded in the understanding that you are the expert in your own experience, I bring clinical training and perspective to help deepen understanding, strengthen resilience, and support meaningful movement toward the life and relationships you want. I am committed to creating an affirming environment for clients of all identities and backgrounds.

In our work together, I aim to create a space where you feel supported, understood, and able to move through difficult experiences at your own pace. I draw from relational and experiential approaches, integrating curiosity, reflection, and practical tools when helpful. I often work with anxiety, depression, life transitions and relationship challenges.

Our work may include exploring emotional patterns, relationship dynamics, and how past experiences shape present challenges. I balance thoughtful reflection with practical support to foster awareness, self-compassion, and new ways of responding. I deeply respect the courage it takes to do this work.

Areas of Focus

  • Anxiety & Depression

  • Life stage transition/Parenting

  • Emerging Adult

  • Queer & Trans Identity

  • Family of Origin Concerns

  • Grief

Modalities

  • Relational

  • Mindfulness

  • Psychodynamic

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

  • ISTDP

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Hi, I am Porter

I have been in private practice since 2018 in downtown Durham, near Duke University’s East Campus. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship concerns, grief, and questions around identity and meaning. My work is grounded in psychodynamic therapy and informed by relational, attachment-based, mindfulness, and body-based approaches. I aim to balance insight-oriented work with practical support, tailoring therapy to each client’s needs and goals.

I earned my clinical training at Smith College School for Social Work in 2014. Previous to private practice, I worked in college counseling centers at University of Michigan, Williams College, and Duke University. These experiences shaped my collaborative and affirming approach and deepened my appreciation for the complexity of identity, relationships, and emerging adulthood. While I continue to work with many undergraduate and graduate students, private practice has allowed me to expand my work to supporting clients through parenting, family changes, and later-life transitions.

Originally from Vermont, I worked as a high school teacher before becoming a therapist. While Vermont will always be important to me, North Carolina has become home in a way I did not expect, and I value the sense of community and connection I have found here. I live in Durham with my partner and two young children. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time at the Eno, camping, and going to the farmers market.

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Your Questions, Answered

  • Clients often describe working with me as collaborative, supportive, and engaging. I aim to create a space where you can speak openly, feel genuinely heard, and explore your experiences without judgment. Therapy with me is client-directed, grounded in the belief that you are the expert in your own life and experiences, while also offering thoughtful guidance, perspective, and active engagement throughout the process. Rather than taking a passive role, I work alongside clients to deepen insight, build on existing strengths, and support meaningful change in a way that feels authentic and manageable.

  • A good therapeutic fit often begins with feeling comfortable enough to speak openly and being able to imagine building trust with time. It does not mean you need to share everything immediately. I encourage clients to openly explore questions about fit, comfort, and connection before fully diving into deeper work together. Creating a space where you feel respected, understood, and able to be yourself is something we actively name and discuss throughout the process.

  • Getting started is simple. Reach out through my contact form or schedule a call. From there we set up a 20 min consultation call so I can learn a bit about you and your goals for therapy and you can ask any initial questions.

  • Yes, I offer both teletherapy and in-person options

  • You can reach me via my contact page on this website or email me at porterlcsw@eportercounseling.com

  • I accept private pay, Duke Student Insurance, and I always keep several spots for sliding scale.

    Initial intake is $200

    45min session is $160

    55min session is $175

    *please reach out and indicate if you are interested in sliding scale options

  • Right now I am in-network with Duke Student insurance which carries a $10 copay.

    All other insurance I can bill as a out-of-network provider.

  • I am happy to submit out-of-network claims to your insurance on your behalf, though I’m unfortunately not allowed to do so for sliding scale clients.

    If you choose to use out-of-network benefits, you pay for sessions at the time of service and your insurance will reimburse you for a portion of the cost. Reimbursement amounts vary, so I recommend contacting your insurance provider to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits and whether you have a deductible to meet first.

    Some clients also choose to submit claims themselves using apps such as Reimbursify - which allows them to get paid back quickly

Request a Consultation

Please let me know the best way to contact you and your availability if you would like to explore starting therapy.