Kianna Porter-Simons, MFT Intern:

Kianna is a pre-licensed professional and master’s level intern at Marriage Point. She is currently a master’s level student at Mercer University, working towards licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy. Kianna holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from her alma mater, the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). During her time at UGA, she researched the interconnectedness of economics and individuals’ consumerist approaches to long-lasting fulfillment and happiness.

Kianna took various courses on the science of happiness, race & ethnicity studies, workplace sociology, criminal punishment sociology, etc., during her undergraduate education.

In her leisure time, Kianna enjoys reading romance novels, bingeing the most up-to-date TV shows and movies, and exploring new restaurants. Kianna is a socioculturally responsive therapist who focuses on empowering her clients, enabling them to be their most authentic selves in the therapeutic relationship and in all aspects of their lives. She strongly emphasizes that helping individuals, couples, and families experience self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-compassion deeply promotes healing and long-lasting fulfillment.

Kianna practices under the supervision and direction of Lana Banegas, LMFT, CST.

Clinical Focus

Kianna has the enthusiasm and motivation to support clients during their journey to self-acceptance, which ultimately influences the well-being of their interpersonal relationships. Using empathy and supportive listening, she co-creates a space with her clients to foster growth and support the intense emotions that can arise during the healing process.

Kianna is a Gottman Method Level 1 & 2 Trained Therapist. The Gottman Method is a state of the art, evidence-based approach to couples therapy which utilizes research-based interventions and techniques to heal and help improve couples relationships. Kianna also aligns with Satir-oriented Experiential Therapy as well as Emotion Focused Family Therapy, and Attachment Theory. Kianna continues to grow as a clinician by participating in continuous training and staying up-to-date with the most recent evidence-based research to provide the utmost competent mental health care to her clients.

While Kianna embraces the value that her clients are the experts of their own lives, she is not hesitant to respectfully challenge them. She operates from the perspective that clients have the resources and abilities to create change. Through her collaborative approach, clients are empowered to identify tools within themselves to navigate all domains of their lives.

Honesty, communication, and authenticity hold high value in Kianna’s therapeutic relationship. She is open and receptive to clients sharing their apprehensions or reflections at any point during sessions or discussions. Collaboration is key in Kianna’s therapy room, enabling the exploration and navigation of the client’s life experience and complexities. Ultimately, Kianna’s passion lies in providing culturally responsive therapy by cultivating a safe, non-judgmental healing space for marginalized populations, allowing individuals and couples to experience the liberating feeling of healing.