Heloisa Portela
Dr. Heloisa Portela, LCMHCS, NCC, ACS, RPT-S, Director
I'm a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Supervisor providing counseling services and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. In addition to psychotherapy, I provide clinical supervision and training for mental health practitioners. I'm one of a handful of Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisors in Wake County who are also credentialed as a supervisor in play therapy.
I love people. I want to know them, to help them, to make them smile. I'm curious by nature and enjoy trying to understand what's beyond what they present. That's why I became a psychotherapist. I've worked with children, adults, couples, and families since 1994.
Before moving to the U.S., I was a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Brazil, where I specialized in working with families, adults, and adolescents. Once in the U.S., I became a Licensed Professional Counselor and expanded my practice to include children and couples. I have been teaching graduate courses and professional conferences in mental health counseling, including play therapy, trauma, and couples counseling since 2004. I currently teach play therapy courses as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina Pembroke.
I live in Raleigh with my husband, my two sons, and my fur babies. I dance Argentine Tango.
Accreditations
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS)
Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S)
Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner in Training (SEP-training)
Professional contributions
Published articles in, and a reviewer for, Play Therapy magazine
Teach graduate courses and mental health professionals
North Carolina Association for Play Therapy (NCAPT)
- President for 2 consecutive years
- 7-year+ board memberAssociation for Play Therapy (APT)
- Leadership Academy graduate
- Conference Program Committee member