Dr. Annette Burns Porter, MD, LCPC

Dr. Annette Burns Porter takes a collaborative, client-centered approach that recognizes the person in therapy as the expert on their own life. She works alongside individuals and families to strengthen relationships and support practical changes that move people toward their goals. With 21 years of experience across both inpatient and outpatient settings, she has treated clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and from across the lifespan.

Her practice includes individual and family therapy with an emphasis on anxiety, mood and adjustment disorders, substance-related and addictive disorders, post-traumatic stress, family conflict, relational issues, grief, and life transitions. She also addresses concerns related to stress, eating issues, intimacy, bipolar disorder, self-esteem, anger, and coping with change, and offers trauma-informed care for adolescents, young adults, adults, and seniors.

Dr. Porter uses an integrative therapeutic style, tailoring techniques to each person’s needs and drawing on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness Therapy. Her academic background includes an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University, a Doctor of Clinical Psychology from Argosy University in Virginia, and a B.A. in Family and Community Development from the University of Maryland at College Park. She is credentialed as MD and LCPC - LCPC stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Dr. Annette Burns Porter

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take committed action toward what matters to them while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions where moving forward matters more than eliminating discomfort. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on providing empathy, unconditional positive regard, and support so clients feel understood and can explore solutions at their own pace - this approach is often helpful for relationship concerns, self-esteem issues, and grief. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and coping with mood changes.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Porter works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. Together the therapist and client evaluate what is helping and adjust the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical benefits for people balancing busy schedules or limited mobility. Sessions can be scheduled as video calls or phone sessions, and shorter exchanges are available via live chat or text-based messaging. These options increase flexibility and make it easier to maintain consistent care while addressing stress, addiction, trauma, relationship challenges, and other concerns with licensed professionals.