Dr. Annette Burns Porter , MD, LCPC

Dr. Annette Burns Porter approaches therapy with a collaborative spirit, viewing each person as the expert on their own experiences and working alongside them to create meaningful change. She focuses on strengthening interpersonal connections and guiding clients toward the practical steps needed to reach their personal goals.

With 21 years of clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, she draws on an integrative approach that is tailored to each individual or family. Her practice includes individual and family therapy and emphasizes trauma-informed care across the lifespan, supporting adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults through life transitions. Her clinical work addresses a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, mood and adjustment disorders, substance-related and addictive disorders, post-traumatic stress, grief and loss, relationship and family conflict, eating and intimacy-related issues, bipolar disorder, anger, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. She also works with clients on issues related to LGBT concerns, veteran and armed forces issues, postpartum mood, social anxiety, and midlife challenges.

Dr. Porter holds MD and LCPC credentials - MD indicates a medical degree and LCPC denotes a licensed clinical professional counselor - and integrates modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness Therapy to match treatment to each client’s needs. She practices in Maryland and offers therapeutic support that is adaptable to each person’s circumstances and goals.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take action toward a meaningful life while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings, and it can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an empathic, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship in which the therapist supports the client's own problem solving and personal growth, often helping with self-esteem, relationship concerns, and adjustment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) identifies unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaches practical skills to change them, which is effective for mood disorders, anxiety, and coping with change.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Porter works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they adjust strategies over time so that treatment remains aligned with what the client wants to achieve.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility and makes it easier to schedule appointments around work, family, and other commitments. These options allow clients to access licensed professionals from the locations that work best for them and to continue consistent care even when life circumstances change.