Kathy Helpenstill

Kathy Helpenstill is a full Professor and Director of Field in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. She has been a dedicated faculty member since 1999, teaching courses in social work, sociology, and child welfare, including SWK 3050 (Social Welfare Policy I), SWK 3990 (Child Welfare), and SOC 2030 (Introduction to Sociology).

Education:

• BSW, Harding University
• LMSW, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• DSW, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Her research and professional practice are deeply focused on child welfare and trauma, particularly in the context of child sexual abuse. She is a recognized state expert in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and has played a pivotal role in disseminating trauma-informed care practices across Arkansas. Her work bridges academic scholarship with direct service, policy development, and statewide training initiatives.

Kathy co-founded the White County Children’s Safety Center in 2008, where she served in multiple clinical and leadership roles, including Forensic Interviewer and Clinical Director, conducting over 1,500 forensic interviews. She is a charter member of the Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma (AR BEST) steering committee, a program developed in collaboration with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and serves as a state trainer for Arkansas Child First Forensic Interviewer Training.

She has led the statewide implementation of TF-CBT for mental health providers and trauma-informed care for DCFS frontline workers, authoring and delivering training curricula across the state. Her contributions extend to legislative support and professional consultation, making her a key figure in Arkansas’s child protection infrastructure.

Professional Activities and Memberships:

• Member, various committees and organizations since 1995
• Member, Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma (AR BEST) Steering Committee (since 2009)
• State Trainer, Arkansas Child First Forensic Interviewer Training
• Expert Consultant, TF-CBT and Trauma-Informed Care, AR BEST program

Through her dual roles in academia and clinical practice, Kathy Helpenstill has significantly advanced both education and service delivery in the field of behavioral sciences, particularly in protecting and supporting child victims of abuse.