Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Heather Porter Ph.D., CTRS

1700 N. Broad Street

Suite 304D
Philadelphia, PA 19121

215-204-5746

hporter@temple.edu

Biography

Biosketch

Dr. Heather Porter is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Therapeutic Recreation Program. She has a strong clinical background in inpatient and outpatient adult physical rehabilitation (traumatic brain injury, stroke, amputation, arthritis, back disorders, multiple sclerosis, cardiac, pulmonary, spinal cord injury, joint replacement, & obesity) and is an avid proponent of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). She is editor of the Recreational Therapy Handbook series which is based on the ICF and is Chair of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s World Health Organization/International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Team (ATRA’s WHO/ICF Team). She has also received national recognition within the ICF Clearinghouse Newsletter (Centers for Disease Control publication) for her work related to the advancement of the ICF and has developed an “ICF & Evidence Based Practice Lab” for Temple University students within the College of Health Professions and Social Work (CHPSW) to foster their understanding of the model and coding system as it relates to clinical practice, as well as provide students with research opportunities that have the potential for acknowledgement in publications. Heather is also currently involved in a research initiative at Temple University’s Center for Obesity Research and Education (CORE) related to body weight, engagement in physical activity, leisure boredom, mortality risk and meaningful activity.

Education

BS (dual degree) in Recreational Therapy and Sport/Recreation Management (Temple University)

MS in Counseling Psychology with a Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy (Chestnut Hill College)

PhD in Health Studies – Transdisciplinary degree in Public Health and Recreational Therapy (Temple University)

Course Involvement

Teaching Areas

Administration of Therapeutic Recreation

Assessment & Documentation

Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation

Internship I

Internship II

Physical Disabilities & Therapeutic Recreation

Psychosocial Aspects of Wellness and Illness

Professional Seminar II

Therapeutic Recreation Modalities

Publications/Presentations

Publications

Book Editor

Porter, H. (editor, projected completion 2012). Recreational therapy handbook of practice: ICF codes & treatment. Enumclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor, Inc.

Porter, H. (editor, projected completion 2013). Recreational therapy handbook of practice: ICF-based diagnoses. Enumclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor, Inc.

Porter, H. (editor, projected completion 2013). Recreational therapy handbook of practice: ICF-based concepts and techniques. Enumclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor, Inc.

Book Author

Porter, H.& Burlingame, J. (2006). Recreational therapy handbook of practice: ICF-based diagnosis and treatment. Enumclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor, Inc.

Book Chapter

Van Puymbroek, M., Porter, H. & McCormick, B. (2009). The international classification of functioning, disability, and health in therapeutic recreation practice. In Professional Issues in Therapeutic Recreation. Stumbo, N. (Ed.). Sagamore Publishing, pp 43-57

Refereed Articles

Iwasaki, Y., Coyle, C., Shank, J. & Porter, H. (in review). Role of leisure in recovery from mental illness. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Porter, H. (in review). Measuring meaning: Development of the leisure meanings gained and outcomes scale. American Journal of Recreation Therapy

Porter, H., Iwasaki, Y., & Shank, J. (2011). Conceptualizing meaning-making through leisure experiences. Society & Leisure, 33(2), 167-

Porter, H. & Van Puymbroek, M. (2007). Utilization of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health within therapeutic recreation practice. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, XLI(1), 47-60

Non-Refereed Articles

Porter, H. (2011). The international classification of functioning, disability & health: An overview for recreational therapists. American Therapeutic Recreation Association, October 2011 Newsletter

Presentations

Porter, H. (2011). The international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF): Basic coding proficiency and application. Invited "full day" conference for the New Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference, Edison, NJ

Porter, H. (2010). Key opportunities for recreational therapy with the international classification of functioning, disability, and health. Invited presentation for the New Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference, Edison, NJ

Porter, H. (2009). Obtaining personal meaning through leisure. Invited presentation for the New Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference, Edison, NJ

Porter, H. (2007). Neuroplasticity interventions for recreational therapy. Invited presentation for American Therapeutic Recreation Association's Teleconference. Hattiesburg, MS

Porter, H. & Burlingame, J. (2005). The international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF): New directions for therapeutic recreation practice. Submitted presentation for the Mid-Eastern Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation, Ocean City, MD

Porter, H. (2005). The international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF): New directions for therapeutic recreation practice. Invited presentation for the New Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference, Edison, NJ

Porter, H. (2004). Neuroplasticity interventions for recreational therapy. Invited presentation for the New Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference, Edison, NJ

Porter, H. & Garnick, J. (1993 & 1994). Community integration review. Invited lecture for medical students preparing for board exams at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Research

Scale Development

Leisure Meanings Gained and Outcomes Scale (LMGOS)

Porter, H. (2009). Developing a Leisure Meanings Gained and Outcomes Scale (LMGOS) and Exploring Associations of Leisure Meanings to Leisure Time Physical Activity Adherence among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Temple University: Phila., PA (ProQuest #3359696)

Studies that have utilized this scale include:

Effects of Weight Loss on Foot Structure and Function in Obese Adults: A Pilot Study

Investigators: Jinsup Song, D.P.M., Ph.D; Gary D. Foster, Ph.D; Matthew O’Brien, MD, MSc; Eugene Komaroff, Ph.D.; James Furmato, D.P.M., Ph.D

CBPR on Active Living and Recovery for Racial/Ethnic Groups with Mental Illness; National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Mental Health (NIH/NIMH) (R21)

Investigators: Iwasaki, Y. (Co-PI/PD), Coyle, C. (Co-PI), Shank, J. (Co-PI), Koons, G., Mitchell, L., Ryan, A., Baron, D., & Salzer, M.

Areas of Research Interest

Personal meanings that people obtain within or from leisure experiences, the benefits that are received from obtaining personal meanings, and the impact on health behaviors (with particular interest in Type 2 Diabetes and physical activity)

Prevention of chronic disease and secondary complications within all health domains.

Promotion and expression of a healthy leisure lifestyle that supports high quality of life for the well, chronically ill, and disabled populations.

Rehabilitation outcomes on community participation, health, and quality of life

Manuscript Reviewer

Leisure Sciences

Leisure Studies

Journal of Leisure Research

Therapeutic Recreation Journal