R O B E R T D . P O R T E R
1 0 6 S . H A R R I S S T . # 2 3 5 , R O U N D R O C K , T X 7 8 6 6 4T E L . 5 1 2 - 9 0 9 - 3 6 9 8 E M A I L R O B P O R T E R M F T @ G M A I L . C O M
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Marriage and Family Therapy
Texas Tech University, August 2011
Dissertation: Perceptions of Safety and Violence among Relationship Education Participants: A Grounded Theory Study (Chair: Jason B. Whiting, Ph.D.) Research Interests: Healthy relationships / marriage and relationship education; change processes in therapy; addictions and treatment of addictions.
M.S. Human Development and Family Studies (specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy)
Auburn University, 2007
Thesis: Client symptom distress, stage of change, and the therapeutic alliance in couple therapy (Chair: Scott A. Ketring, Ph.D.)
B.S. Marriage, Family, and Human Development (minor in communications) Brigham Young University, 2004
PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
2012 – Present Adjunct Faculty St. Edwards University
Masters of Professional Counseling Program
2011 – Present Private Practice Marriage and Family Therapist-Supervisor 2012 – 2014 Adjunct Faculty
Northcentral University
Marriage and Family Therapy Program 2012 – 2014 Clinical Supervisor Affiliate
Austin Family Institute
2008 – 2011 Project Director / Co-Principle Investigator
Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative Research Team, Dr. Steven Harris, Texas Tech University / Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) 2010 – 2011 Therapist Intern / Research Assistant
2009 - 2010 Therapist Intern
Southwest Institute of Addictive Diseases Mar - Aug 2008 Group / Individual Counselor
Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center, Lubbock, TX 2007 - 2009 Family Therapist
Texas Tech University Family Therapy Clinic 2007 - 2008 Family Therapist
Parent Empowerment Program, Texas Tech University 2006 - 2007 Program Coordinator
Family Connections Supervised Visitation Program, Auburn University 2006 - 2007 Intern Therapist
Family and Children Services, Opelika, AL 2004 - 2005 Program Coordinator
Youth Reclamation, Inc., Provo, UT
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Schramm, D., Harris, S. M., Whiting, J. B., Porter, R., & Brown, M. D. (2013). Economic Costs and Policy Implications Associated With Divorce: Texas as a Case Study. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 54, 1-24.
Szarzynski, A., Porter, R., Harris, S. M., Whiting, J. B., & Osborne, C. (2012). Low-Income Mothers in Marriage and Relationship Education: Program Experiences and Beliefs About Marriage and Relationships. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 11, 322-342.
Porter, R., & Ketring, S. A. (2011). Contributing factors in the therapeutic alliance. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 10, 201-214.
Servino, D., Smith, D. B., Porter, R., & Brown, M. D. (2011). Perceptions of Safety in Intimate Relationships: Group Differences Based on Gender and Setting. Journal of Family Violence, 26, 431-438.
Porter, R., Harris, S. M., Whiting, J. B., Brown, M., Rappleyea, D. L., & Crabtree, S. A., (in submission). Perceptions of Personal Safety among Lower Income Relationship Education Participants: A Grounded Theory Study. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy. Manuscripts in Preparation:
violence among relationship education participants: A grounded theory study.
Rappleyea, D. L, Harris, S. M., & Porter, R. (in progress). Community saturation and sustainability in marriage and relationship education.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS, BRIEFS, AND REPORTS
Porter, R., Harris, S. M., Brown, M. D., & Whiting, J. B. (December, 2011). Perceptions of safety
among healthy marriage development program participants. Report written to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Harris, S. M., Porter, R., Brown, M. D., & Whiting, J. B. (October, 2011). Regional Intermediary year three final evaluation report. Report written to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Porter, R., Brown, M. D., Whiting, J. B., & Harris, S. M. (April, October, 2009-2011). Semi-annual
reports for the Healthy Marriage Development Program. Report written to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Harris, S. M., Porter, R., Novak, J., & Crandall, R.(2011). Twogether in Texas marital education participants report classes provide new ideas for improving relationships and increase commitment. Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative, Research Brief 9.
http://www.twogetherintexas.com/UI/RelatedLinks.aspx
Harris, S. M., Porter, R., Novak, J., & Crandall, R.(2011). Respondents report that twogether classes provided ways to improve their relationships and have increased their commitment to the long-term success of their relationships. Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative, Research Brief 10. http://www.twogetherintexas.com/UI/RelatedLinks.aspx
Harris, S. M., Houghtaling, A., Porter, R., & Brown, M. D.(2010). Within Our Reach and Within My Reach participants continue to benefit in encouraging ways. Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative, Research Brief 8. http://www.twogetherintexas.com/UI/RelatedLinks.aspx Harris, S. M., Rappleyea, D., Porter, R., & Brown, M. D.(2010). Marriage and relationship
education site directors stress passion and commitment as keys to creating a successful sustainable program. Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative, Research Brief 7.
http://www.twogetherintexas.com/UI/RelatedLinks.aspx
Harris, S. M., Daire, A. P., Porter, R., & Brown, M. D.(2010). HMDP participants emphasize the far-reaching benefit of marriage and relationship education programs. Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative, Research Brief 6.
http://www.twogetherintexas.com/UI/RelatedLinks.aspx
Porter, R. (2008). Review of First Comes Marriage. [Review of the book, First comes marriage: Modern
relationship advice from the wisdom of arranged marriages, by R. Seth]. Journal of the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 13, 50-51.
Porter, R. & Houghtaling, A. W. (2008). Strategic family therapy. In J. D. Goff & B. Bradley (Eds.), Our Common Body of Knowledge, 4th ed. Austin, TX: Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Houghtaling, A. W. & Porter, R. (2008). Assessment and evaluation. In J. D. Goff & B. Bradley (Eds.), Our Common Body of Knowledge, 4th ed. Austin, TX: Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
GRANTS AND SPONSORED PROJECTS
Total Funding $ 571,624
September 2009-December 2011, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX Co-Principal Investigator, Project Director
Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative. Texas State Health and Human Services
Commission. Grant to complete state-wide survey of marriage trends, attitudes, and divorce in Texas. Additional responsibilities include coordination of Research Advisory Group (RAG) meetings, data management, and public relations related to dissemination of findings. Additional projects include program evaluation of Regional Intermediary (RI) Premarital Education project and Healthy Marriage Demonstration Projects (HMDPs) throughout Texas. Co PI with Jason B. Whiting, Ph.D.
Requested: $ 285,812 Funded: $ 285,812 (Sept. 2009-Aug. 2010) Requested: $ 285,812 Funded: $ 285,812 (Sept. 2010-Dec. 2011)
INSTRUCTION
2012 Adjunct Faculty
St. Edwards University
Masters of Professional Counseling program • CNCO 6364 Intro to systems theory
• CNCO 6351 Counseling Skills and Techniques • CNCO 6352 Intro to Counseling Theories
• CNSL 6331 Techniques in Marriage and Family Therapy
• CNSL 6365 Intro to Assessment in Marriage and Family Therapy • CNSL 6369 Counseling Practicum
2012 Adjunct Faculty
Northcentral University
Marriage and Family Therapy Program
• MFT 6102 Psychopathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment • MFT 6106 Families in Crisis
• MFT 8103 Assessing and Treating Family Violence • MFT 8203 Parenting Skills
2007 - 2009 Instructor
Addictive Diseases and Recovery Services
Dept. of Applied and Professional Studies, Texas Tech University • ADRS 2310 Understanding Addiction and Recovery
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Bishop, M. S. & Porter, R., (2015, February). Defining moments: A practical guide for ethical day to-day decision making. Presentation made at the annual conference of Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Sugarland, TX
Bishop, M. S. & Porter, R., (2014, February). Beyond the code: Ethical considerations in marriage and family therapy. Presentation made at the annual conference of Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Sugarland, TX.
Harris, S. M., Porter, R., & Brown, M. D. (2011, February). Regional intermediary program evaluation. Presentation made to the Regional Intermediary program of the Twogether in Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative, Austin, TX.
Rappleyea, D. L., Harris, S. M., & Porter, R. (2010, November). Community saturation and sustainability among healthy marriage providers. Paper presented at the annual National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) conference, Minneapolis, MN.
Diaz-Loving, R., Rappleyea, D. L., Harris, S. M., & Porter, R. (2010, September). Acculturation and assimilation: Hispanic views on marriage. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Atlanta, GA.
Harris, S. M. & Porter, R. (2010, July). Does it work? Evaluation. Workshop presented at the annual Smart Marriages conference, Orlando, FL.
Moore, A, Wilkins, E., Porter, R., & Wampler, R. (2008, October). Ethical considerations for home-based family therapy. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Memphis, TN.
Moore, A, Porter, R., Wilkins, E., & Wampler, R. (2008, October). Therapists’ experiences in working with community liaisons. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Memphis, TN.
Porter, R., Harris, S. M., Rappleyea, D. L., Houghtaling, A. W., & Whiting, J. B. (2010, September).
conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Atlanta, GA.
Porter, R., Graff, C. A., & Anderson, A. (2009, May). Stage of change and motivational interviewing
with a mandated population. Workshop presented at the annual training conference for United States Probation Office, Lubbock, TX.
Porter, R., & Ketring, S. A. (2008, October). Creating an alliance in couple therapy: Contributing factors. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Memphis, TN.
Porter, R., & Wilkins, E., Moore, A., & Wampler, R. (2008, October). Overcoming resistance in
community-based therapy. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Memphis, TN.
Porter, R., & Ketring, S. A. (2008, March). Client symptom distress, stage of change, and the
therapeutic alliance in couple therapy. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT), Galveston, TX.
Servino, D., & Porter, R. (2008, October). Therapist and client perspectives of change in couple therapy: A phenomenological study. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Memphis, TN.
Wilkins, E., Moore, A., Porter, R., & Wampler, R. (2008, October). Advantages of working in a community-based program. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Memphis, TN.
Wilkins, E., Porter, R., Moore, A., & Wampler, R. (2008, October). Working in a community-based in-home therapy program. Poster presented at the annual conference of the National
Council on Family Relations, Little Rock, AR.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PRESENTATIONS / INVITED LECTURES
Porter, R. (2013, March). “Pornography: Patterns, coping, and impact.” Presentation given to the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Relief Society, Austin, TX
Porter, R. (2013, March). “Improving Your Marriage through Adult Attachemnt” Presentation
given to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Relief Society, Round Rock, TX.
Porter, R. (2012, February). “Money can’t but me love…but it sure can mess it up.” Presentation
given to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Relief Society, Pflugerville, TX.
Porter, R. (2012, February). “Open family communication.” Presentation given to the Shepherd of
Porter, R. (2011, November). “Navigating the awkward: Difficult conversations with your teen.” Presentation given to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Austin, TX.
Porter, R. (2009, November). “Dating and courtship among college co-eds.” Lecture given to
freshman orientation course, Texas Tech University.
Porter, R. (2009, November). “Attachment and intimacy in personal relationships” Lecture given to
undergraduate Human Development and Family Studies course, Texas Tech University.
Porter, R. (2008, October). “Marriage and family therapy: Considerations” Lecture given to
undergraduate Human Development and Family Studies course, Texas Tech University.
Porter, R. (2007, October). “Ethnic and cultural considerations in addiction.” Lecture given to
undergraduate ADRS 2310 course.
Porter, R., & Melton, M., S. (2006, October). “Families across the lifespan.” Presentation to Rotary
Club, Opelika, AL.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & LICENSES
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Texas License #: 201250 State-Approved Supervisor
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Clinical Member. AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT), Clinical Member
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
2013-2015 TAMFT Board of Directors
2012 - 2013 Qualifying Exams Review Board-Northcentral University
2011 AAMFT Abstract Reviewer
2008 - 2009 Prevention Research and Education on Violence and Trauma (PREVNT) Student Organization, Texas Tech University, Vice- President
2006 - 2007 Vice President and MFT representative for the Auburn University Graduate Student Association
2005 - 2006 Research assistant and project coordinator for Multiple Family Group Intervention project
2003 - 2004 Research assistant Diabetes Research Team, Dr. Suzanne Olson, Brigham Young University
HONORS AND AWARDS
2008 - 2011 Recipient of the Helen Devitt Jones Graduate Fellowship, Texas Tech University