Hi, I am so happy you are here and I am looking forward to meeting.

My name is Karly Porto and I am the owner and therapist at Blackbird Therapy and I am honored you are taking the time to get to know who I am and what I do. I have over ten years of experience in the mental health field and my primary goal is to help you explore your meaning in life by using collaboration and evidence-based treatment approaches.

I am a dually licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Additionally, I am a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor for LPC/LPCC candidates. I am an alumna of the University of Minnesota obtaining my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies. Additionally, I completed the Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. My experience includes providing therapy to adults in a variety of settings and contexts including outpatient therapy and outpatient psychotherapy groups, intensive outpatient settings, and residential programs and treatment centers. I have experience as the clinical director and treatment director of both residential and outpatient treatment programs. I have a history of experience providing therapy to individuals in their community to increase access to specialized care.

I embrace clients’ individuality in my clinical work and believe clients are the experts in their own lives they just may be stuck and need help finding their own meaning. I specialize in the treatment of various forms of trauma and I am trained in Adaptive Internal Relational Network Model (AIR), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), and other evidence-based approaches to facilitate the healing of trauma. Additionally, I have expertise working with substance use, personality disorders, and mood disorders. I have a working knowledge and competency utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy; Existential Therapy; and Motivational Interviewing. I am passionate to share the journey with clients in their healing process by creating a collaborative, working relationship and instilling hope and self-efficacy. My therapeutic approach is both compassionate and direct, with evidenced-based and person-centered interventions.

Think we would be a good fit? I would love to connect!