Hope Porter (she/her)

I can’t remember a time in life when I didn’t feel a strong desire to advocate for those in need. I started volunteering at a homeless shelter during my freshman year in college in 2004 and I have been in the social work field ever since. I have more than 15 years of experience in supporting trauma survivors and individuals struggling with their mental health in private practice, outpatient, residential, in-home, school, community, and court settings. I have training and experience in providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Polyvagal Informed-Therapy, & Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy. Outside of my formal training and experience, my primary approach as a therapist is to sit, and be fully present, with you and your experience. I’m here to be your witness, not your judge. A facilitator, not fixer. A hand-holder, not a rescuer. You are the expert in your own experiences. I’m just here to help you connect the dots.

I try to see the whole person, not just their problems. I believe that therapy is the most effective way to develop understanding and insight around our struggles, wounds, and hurts. As therapist, I support clients in exploring the experiences, thought patterns, behaviors, and relationship issues that drive our mental health struggles. For many individuals, early adulthood provides the first opportunity to process and recover from childhood traumas, adversity, and stressors. It can be overwhelming, but therapy can help. While it can feel like trauma, hardship, and stress are everywhere, through our work together, you will learn to see and feel that safety, resilience, and relief are also everywhere. As a cisgender, straight, white woman (she/her) and RVA native, I strive to be an affirming and competent ally to members of all oppressed or marginalized groups, and I have professional training in providing culturally competent services to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals.