Dr. Annette Burns Porter, LCPC

Dr. Annette Burns Porter helps people facing addiction, anxiety, depression, and major life changes. She approaches each person as the expert on their own life and works together with them to set practical goals. Her tone is collaborative and focused on improving everyday relationships and coping skills.

She draws on twenty-one years of clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings across the lifespan. That background means she is familiar with mood and adjustment disorders, substance and alcohol-related concerns, post-traumatic stress, grief, and phases of life like midlife transitions and postpartum challenges. She also offers care informed by trauma when it is needed.

Her work blends several approaches to match what a person needs. She uses cognitive and behavioral methods to change unhelpful thinking and habits. She adds mindfulness and acceptance tools to build tolerance for difficult feelings.

Sessions emphasize practical steps people can try between meetings. Conversations focus on clearer communication, healthier boundaries, and strategies to manage stress and cravings. The aim is steady, manageable change rather than quick fixes.

Dr. Porter holds the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor credential in Maryland. She completed a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology, along with undergraduate study in family and community development. She offers services in English from her Maryland practice.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them while moving toward meaningful actions. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions where values-based choices matter.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, focuses on identifying and changing patterns of thinking and behavior that keep problems going. It is practical and skill-oriented, and often used for anxiety, mood struggles, and addictive behaviors.

Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and increase present-moment calm. It pairs well with ACT and CBT for managing cravings, stress, and overwhelm.

Choosing a therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or has not helped before, then suggest methods to try. Adjustments are made together as therapy progresses to find the best fit.

The therapist's biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove the need to travel to appointments. Licensed professionals can still use the same ACT, CBT, and mindfulness tools effectively through remote meetings when those formats are supported by the practice.