Hi, I’m Porter Charles, LICSW, and I’m a therapist who believes that life is about experiences—both the beautiful and the painful ones. I come from a very large family, which gave me early access to countless perspectives and the understanding that no two people see the world exactly the same way.

I believe that some of life’s most powerful experiences can also be the most overwhelming—grief, trauma, abuse, identity shifts, or simply feeling lost. Those moments don’t just pass; they can live in our bodies and spirits, and they’re often too heavy to face alone. That’s where I come in.

In my own life, I’ve lived through chaos, panic attacks, trauma, bullying, frequent displacement, and high-demand religious transition. I’ve also known deep joy, healing, and what it feels like to rewrite your story. I work with people who feel kicked out, misunderstood, or like they’ve never quite fit in—especially those in the queer and queer-adjacent community, men navigating identity and emotion, and anyone who’s simply trying to feel okay in a world that doesn’t always feel safe.

Professionally, I’m the owner of Smooth Stone Counseling, a private practice focused on integrative, trauma-informed care. I also work on social justice-related side projects and some hours at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Transplant Institute as a clinical social worker. My experience spans hospital settings, community mental health, crisis work, and intensive in-home therapy, giving me a broad understanding of how people function across systems and cultures.

My work as a therapist centers on supporting neurogenesis, cognitive restructuring, and understanding the role of epigenetics in healing and growth. I’ve supported clients through anxiety, depression, crisis, trauma, homelessness, and severe mental illness, always with an eye toward empowerment and collaboration. I'm bilingual in English and Spanish, which I learned from living and working in the villas and capital of Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a few years as a young adult. I offer culturally responsive care across a range of identities and lived experiences.

I’m curious, creative, and deeply human. In session, I listen to your world, validate your pain, and offer grounded, compassionate perspectives—with a dose of direct, honest feedback. I pull from neuroscience, body-based healing, creativity, and even gaming metaphors (yes, I’m an elder millennial who grew up coping through video games).

Whether you’re facing big change, seeking stability, or just trying to make sense of your story, I’m here to walk with you. You don’t have to do this alone.

Admin staff

I have a contracted licensed medical biller who handles all insurance claims and payment collection, so you can keep the therapy and the financials separate.