KAREN J. PORTER, MSSA, LISW-S - GAHANNA

she/her/hers

Karen Porter is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision designation (LISW-S) who is passionate about empowering women and girls toward healing through a wellness and strengths-based approach. Ms. Porter works collaboratively with clients to identify goals and develop tools for optimizing mental health and wellness. Ms. Porter focuses on improving clients’ resiliency to maintain well-being long-term.

Ms. Porter earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Ohio University and Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) from Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Porter has extensive experience in working with adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening health conditions, end-of-life care, and behavior modification.  Her experience in a variety of community and medical settings provides a diverse background and understanding of the client systems that affect clients during significant life. Ms. Porter enjoys working with women and girls to overcome challenges, let go of what is not serving them, and become their authentic self.

Ms. Porter has held several leadership positions to support efforts in promoting health and wellness in Central Ohio. She represented The OSU’s College of Social Work at the National Summit on Promoting Well-Being and Resilience in Healthcare, served on Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Social Work Professional Development Committee, and served on the conference planning committee for the Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Education Specialist and the Association for the Education of Children with Medical Needs. In addition to her role at CWW, Ms. Porter is a field coordinator and lecturer at The Ohio State University College of Social Work. Her national professional presentations have included topics of utilizing a wellness perspective when working with teens and adults facing chronic and terminal health challenges, navigating end-of-life issues with patients, and promotion of health and wellness in professional human service work.

Clinical Interests/Focus: Health & Wellness, Women’s Behavioral Health, Pre & Post Divorce, Grief/Bereavement, Adolescent Behavioral Health, Clinical Supervision