Alena Porter LPC

Several years ago I owned a dog grooming business where I was the only groomer. This became an issue when I severely hurt my back and was unable to work for 3 weeks. I remember telling my therapist that I didnt' think I could work until retirement in the field of dog grooming. She asked me, if I could do anything as a career what would I want to do? I told her that I'd always wanted to be a counselor but I didn't think I had enough motivation to make it through several years of college. She told me "the time is going to pass anyway, do you want to just be several years older, or do you want to be several years older with a master's degree. I enrolled in college to finish my bachelor's degree that evening and here I am several years older with a master's degree, loving what I do, and pursuing a doctoral degree.

I have spent most of my life as a client, decades before I became a therapist and I believe those negative and positive life experiences have led to the creation of the person and the therapist i am today. Additionally, I almost never ask a client to do anything that I haven't done myself.

• Alabama, Licensed Professional Counselor, 04901
• Georgia, Licensed Professional Counselor, 013432
• Tennessee, Licensed Professional Counselor, 5804

I am trained to treat a multitude of conditions but my primary specialties lie in sex therapy, trauma therapy, and relationship therapy. My favorite moments in sex therapy are when a client reports that they are now able to enjoy sex, especially if the client felt hopeless before they began treatment. My favorite moments in trauma therapy are the times when clients realize they haven't had a nightmare in several nights or they realize they have started to go through life unafraid. The best moments in relationship therapy are when the clients turn toward each other to solve a problem instead of each partner blaming the other partner. I am very grateful to be in a profession where I love what I do and I love being a counselor.