Title: 1) Licensed Mental Health Counselor; 2) School Guidance Counselor
Company: 1) Mandarin Counseling and Wellness Center; 2) Lourdes Academy
Location: St. Johns, Florida, United States
Erin Porter, Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Mandarin Counseling and Wellness Center and School Guidance Counselor at Lourdes Academy, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Healthcare Professionals for dedication, achievements and leadership in Mental Health Counseling.
Ms. Porter has established herself as a leader in the mental health field, currently serving as a licensed mental health counselor and owner of Mandarin Counseling & Wellness Center since 2017. She initially joined the practice as a contractor in January 2016, and in 2019, she acquired the business when the previous owner retired. In her role, Ms. Porter manages between 15 and 20 contractors, including licensed mental health counselors and licensed clinical social workers, and oversees one or two interns as they work toward full licensure.
At the helm of her practice, Ms. Porter’s responsibilities include coordinating with a medical biller and front desk staff to ensure efficient operations, collecting co-pays, maintaining a welcoming office environment, and ensuring all facilities are functioning optimally. She balances administrative duties with personal client sessions, marketing, accounting tasks and managing high-maintenance patients, often involving families facing custody issues. Ms. Porter also provides professional testimony in court when necessary and navigates the challenges of a busy schedule in a field marked by high demand for mental health providers.
In addition to her leadership at Mandarin Counseling & Wellness Center, Ms. Porter has served as a school guidance counselor at Lourdes Academy since 2016. In this capacity, she supports students’ academic and emotional development while collaborating with faculty and families to foster a positive learning environment.
From 2014 to 2016, Ms. Porter worked as a licensed mental health counselor at Healing Hearts Therapy, providing individual and group counseling to clients with diverse needs. Earlier in 2014, she was a clinician at Child Guidance Center in Jacksonville, Florida, delivering school-based counseling through partnerships with local public schools until the contract concluded.
Ms. Porter’s earlier experience included serving as a therapist at Linden Oaks Hospital in Naperville, Illinois, in 2013. There, she focused on partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for individuals requiring more intensive care, providing group, individual and family counseling.
Among her earlier positions, Ms. Porter held dual roles as a licensed professional counselor at Sanders and Associates and as an emergency department case therapist at Central DuPage Hospital between 2012 and 2013. From 2009 to 2012, she was a licensed professional counselor at Nowell and Associates Counseling Firm. Ms. Porter also worked with children with special needs at Little Friends Inc. as a morning program assistant between 2006 and 2008.
Ms. Porter’s academic background laid the foundation for her career achievements. She earned a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology and a Master of Science in clinical psychology from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, in 2005 and 2009, respectively. While pursuing her master’s degree, she worked at a group home for children with severe autism, a formative experience that shaped her commitment to working with children with special needs. Ms. Poerter’s graduate training included internships centered on children and adolescents as well as coursework in marriage and family therapy.
In addition to her degrees, Ms. Porter has held a full licensure as a licensed mental health counselor since 2014 and is recognized as a national certified counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors. These credentials reflect her dedication to maintaining high professional standards.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ms. Porter is actively involved in her church community as a volunteer. Her leadership has been recognized through several Best of Jacksonville Awards for Mandarin Counseling & Wellness Center. Ms. Porter attributes her success to hard work, significant sacrifices made along the way and unwavering support from her family.
Ms. Porter’s most notable achievement is not only owning her private practice but also successfully managing multiple contractors. This accomplishment required confidence, strong communication skills, dedication and adaptability, all qualities that have enabled her to treat her work as a continuous commitment and respond effectively to unexpected challenges.
Currently pursuing another master’s degree to become a deaconess and completing an internship through her church, Ms. Porter continues to expand her knowledge base while deepening her civic engagement. She hopes to be remembered for extending grace and understanding to others, recognizing that everyone faces struggles, and strives to instill these values in her children through both example and guidance. Looking ahead, Ms. Porter also aims to sustain and expand Mandarin Counseling & Wellness Center by bringing in additional therapists to meet the growing need for mental health services in the community.
For more information, please visit:
Mandarin Counseling and Wellness Center
Contact Ms. Porter: