About Deana
Deana Porter is a licensed marriage and family therapist practicing in California. She uses clear, straightforward conversation to help people untangle relationship and intimacy problems. She also addresses sleep concerns and other everyday struggles like stress and low self-esteem.
With 29 years of experience, Deana draws on practical methods to help people manage anxiety, depression, bipolar mood challenges, and grief. She works through trauma and abuse issues and supports people coping with life transitions. Sessions focus on concrete steps and skills that can be used between meetings.
Deana integrates approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to handle symptoms and teach coping tools. She also uses the Gottman Method for relationship work and Internal Family Systems ideas when looking at inner parts and patterns. These methods are used to match what each person needs in the moment.
Her practice pays attention to family-related topics including adoption and foster care, blended family issues, caregiving stress, fatherhood concerns, and family-of-origin patterns. She helps people facing communication problems, codependency, divorce, and domestic violence aftermath when those issues are part of a client's story.
Deana aims to offer respectful, sensitive, and compassionate care. She tailors conversations and treatment plans to each person's goals. Taking the first step can feel hard, and she focuses on practical support to help people move toward a more fulfilling life.
How these approaches translate to online therapy
Deana commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Gottman Method in her work. CBT helps people identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce anxiety, depression, and sleep disruptions. The Gottman Method focuses on communication and practical tools for improving relationship interactions and conflict management.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit best based on their goals and preferences. Plans are adjusted over time as needs change and progress is tracked together.
Confirm the session formats available before booking, as the profile does not list specific delivery options. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It also makes it simpler to involve focused skill practice between meetings and to use written exercises or worksheets during sessions. Ask about current session options when starting so scheduling matches daily routines and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
29+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?
Deana works with relationship and intimacy problems, trauma and abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep-related issues. She also helps with parenting, grief, career stress, and life transitions.
How would you describe the therapy style?
Sessions are practical and conversational, focusing on skills and steps people can apply between meetings. Therapy is tailored to each person's needs and goals.
What experience does the therapist bring?
She has 29 years of professional experience working with individuals who face relationship challenges, trauma, mood concerns, and caregiving stress.
What are the therapist's credentials and location?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist - LMFT - practicing in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients supported?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.