About Leslie Porter
Focus areas
Anxiety
New Patient Visit
Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Therapy
EMDR Therapy
Psychotherapy
Clientele seen
Teenagers (13-17)
Individuals
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Treatment approaches
Attachment-based
EMDR
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Emotionally Focused
Compassion Focused
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Leslie Porter
Hi, I'm Leslie! I'm really glad you found your way here.
Can I ask you something? Are you tired of knowing exactly why you feel the way you do, but still not knowing how to feel better?
Maybe you've read the books, listened to the podcasts, and spent countless hours trying to understand yourself. You know your patterns. You can probably explain where they came from. But somehow, you're still lying awake overthinking everything, feeling anxious for no obvious reason, or reacting to situations in ways you wish you wouldn't.
Or maybe your brain just never seems to slow down. You're constantly juggling a million thoughts, struggling to keep up with everyday responsibilities, or feeling frustrated that things seem so much harder for you than everyone else.
And sometimes? You're just exhausted from trying so hard to be okay.
If you're nodding along, I want you to know that you're exactly the kind of person I love working with.
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor at Ideal Psychology Group, and I work with teens ages 15+ and adults navigating anxiety, OCD, ADHD, trauma and PTSD, panic, depression, burnout, and all those overwhelming feelings that are hard to put into words.
One thing I really believe is that you can understand yourself really well and still need help feeling better. And that's okay!
I love helping people move beyond simply understanding their struggles and start experiencing real changes in how they feel, respond, and live their lives.
You don't have to keep figuring everything out by yourself. I'd love to help you find a way forward that actually feels good to you.
What should a new client know about working with you?
First things first: You don't have to have it all together when you show up for therapy. 😊
Seriously. You can show up anxious, overwhelmed, unsure what to say, or feeling like your thoughts are going in 47 different directions. You can even start with, "I don't really know where to begin."
We'll figure it out together!
I want therapy to feel like a place where you can finally stop putting so much pressure on yourself. You don't have to say the right thing, explain everything perfectly, or worry about being judged.
My style is warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative. I genuinely enjoy getting to know the people I work with, understanding how their minds work, and helping them find ways to feel more comfortable being themselves.
And I'm not going to tell you to "just stop worrying" or hand you a generic list of coping skills you've probably already tried a hundred times.
I know that sometimes your brain understands something, but your body hasn't quite gotten the message yet. You might know you're safe, but still feel anxious. You might know you don't need to be perfect, but still feel like you're failing. Or you might understand your ADHD really well and still struggle to get through your to-do list.
That's why I use approaches like EMDR, somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), DBT, and mindfulness. We'll explore what works for you, your experiences, and your nervous system.
I also believe therapy doesn't have to feel serious every second. I love bringing humor, curiosity, and genuine human connection into our work. Sometimes we might have a really meaningful conversation, and sometimes we might laugh together. Both belong in therapy!
Outside of sessions, I enjoy hiking, reading, traveling, and spending time in nature. I think there's something pretty wonderful about getting outside, slowing down, and remembering there's more to life than our never-ending mental to-do lists.
Most importantly, I want you to feel comfortable being yourself with me.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
We'll start by getting to know each other. Nothing intimidating, I promise! 😊
I'll want to hear about what's been going on, what's feeling especially difficult lately, and what made you decide that now might be the time to reach out.
And if you're not sure what you want to work on yet? That's completely fine.
Maybe anxiety has been running the show for a while. Maybe ADHD makes it feel like you're constantly playing catch-up. Maybe you're dealing with intrusive thoughts, feeling overwhelmed by your emotions, or noticing that something from your past keeps showing up in your present.
Whatever brings you in, we'll take the time to understand it together.
From there, we'll come up with a plan that makes sense for you. Not some perfect, unrealistic version of you who wakes up at 5 AM, meditates every morning, and somehow never gets overwhelmed. I'm talking about the actual you, with your real life, responsibilities, personality, and brain!
Depending on what you're working through, we might use EMDR to help process painful experiences, explore how stress and emotions show up in your body, work on managing anxiety or OCD symptoms, or find practical ways to navigate ADHD without constantly feeling frustrated with yourself.
We'll check in along the way about what's helping, what isn't, and what you need more of. Therapy is something we do together, not something I do to you.
My hope is that over time, you'll notice that things that once felt overwhelming start to feel a little more manageable. That you feel more confident trusting yourself, more connected to your emotions, and less controlled by the things that have been keeping you stuck.
And because sessions are fully virtual, you can join from a private, comfortable spot anywhere in Michigan. Comfy clothes, coffee, and your favorite blanket are all welcome!
You don't have to wait until things get worse to deserve support. I'd love to meet you and see what we can work through together. 🌻
Is this doctor in your insurance network?
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In-network insurances
Leslie Porter, LPC has 200+ in-network plans.
More information on payments and coverage
Please Note:
*Our group is a therapy practice and cannot prescribe medication
* We are not in-network with and are unable to accept Blue Cross Complete
* We are only licensed to work with Michigan Residents
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Western Michigan University, MA in Counseling Education
NPI number
1528482262
How soon can I make an appointment with Leslie Porter?
Generally, Leslie Porter has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Leslie Porter's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Leslie Porter accepting new patients?
Leslie Porter generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Leslie Porter's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Leslie Porter accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Leslie Porter is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Leslie Porter online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Leslie Porter using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Leslie Porter work with?
Leslie Porter works with Ideal Psychology Group.
What are common reasons for patients to see Leslie Porter?
Leslie Porter frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Leslie Porter on their profile.
What languages does Leslie Porter speak?
Leslie Porter speaks English.