Kathleen Porter

Kathleen "Katie" Porter has been a full-time lecturer in the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach since Fall 2020, teaching five classes each semester. Prior to her full-time faculty role, she served part-time as an instructor and held several positions in Field Education at CSULB. From 2012 to 2016, she worked as the UCCF Stipend Field Consultant and Child Welfare Simulation Trainer at the CSULB Child Welfare Training Centre. From 2016-2020, she served as a CalSWEC Practicum Education Consultant and part of the Practicum Education team supporting the professional development of students.

Katie is a part-time therapist at the Center of Resiliency, where she provides therapy to adolescents, adults, and couples. Her clinical practice focuses on supporting clients navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and eating disorders.

Before joining CSULB, Katie worked for seven years as a Children’s Social Worker with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). In her time there, she served in a variety of roles, including Continuing Services Worker, Runaway Worker, and Court Officer/241.1 Liaison at Children’s Court. Her earlier professional experience includes work with Center for Discovery eating disorder residential programs, Olive Crest group homes, and the California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ), a human relations organization.

Cultural humility is a guiding principle in Katie’s teaching and practice, and she emphasizes its importance in all aspects of social work. Dedicated to community engagement, she is a member of End Abuse Long Beach and volunteers with New Hope, where she facilitates grief and loss support groups for students in Long Beach Unified School District who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Katie is deeply committed to preparing the next generation of social workers while continuing her lifelong service to vulnerable populations and communities in need.