SHIRLA DE MAGALHÃES, LMFT, RPT-S, RSP
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ABOUT ME

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​Becoming a therapist was a career change for me, one of the many life decisions I have had to make. I immigrated from Brazil in the late 90's with two young children, I raised them as a single parent and working mother for most of their childhood. I have personal experience with acculturation, married life, single parent life, dating as a single parent, remarriage, blended family, empty nest syndrome and life after divorce.

After obtaining my Masters in Counseling Psychology, I worked with foster children and at risk youth and their families at non-profit agencies in San Diego. I quickly realized that so many clinicians were struggling in their work with children because they were relying mostly on the power of talk therapy, which typically does not work well with children under 12 because their brains are just not developed for that kind of cognitive therapy yet. That is when I did my research and came across Play Therapy. As  I learned more about neuroscience, brain & trauma,  I realized that play and expressive art therapies are very important therapeutic tools not only for children but for teens and adults to process their childhood traumas and to bring unconscious material to the surface in a non intrusive way.  My passion for working with children led me to complete a two year post graduate certification in Play Therapy at UCSD Extension where I learned the necessary tools to speak the language of children in order to help them heal. 

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Having experience working with children and understanding what  causes them hurt and pain has also led me to be more sensitive when working with adults looking to heal and empower their inner child. Many of our adult negative behaviors and choices stem from unresolved and often unconscious childhood issues that once brought to awareness can facilitate positive changes in the present.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT),  Registered Play Therapist Supervisor(RPT-S), Registered Sandplay Practitioner (RSP), SoulCollage® Facilitator & Past President of the California Association for Play Therapy (CALAPT).  I have training in EMDR (Level 1& 2), TF-CBT & several kinds of expressive arts therapies. I keep up to date by often attending conferences & workshops in the fields of play therapy, sandplay therapy, expressive arts therapy, attachment, trauma and neuroscience. I utilize a Psychodynamic and Attachment 
lens to  better understand the children, families and individuals I work with. I offer a holistic, integrative approach to therapy, always taking into consideration the physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual needs of each client. 
 

I am extremely passionate about my work and believe that my personal & professional life experiences paired with my continued education have allowed me to become a very empathetic, supportive and genuine therapist. 

On a personal note, I love travelling, reading, photography, hiking, city biking, tent camping, beach, gardening, dancing, creating my personal SoulCollage® Cards and I am a proud parent of two adult children.


Being part of an individual or family transformation is very fulfilling, it is delightful to observe the process where children and adults learn new ways to communicate, understand and connect with each other at a deeper level. I look forward to working alongside you as you take a step towards living a happier, healthier, balanced lifestyle!


Education

B.A. Communication Studies
​Major in Journalism

Universidade Sao Judas Tadeu
São Paulo - SP - Brazil

M.A. Counseling Psychology
National University
San Diego, CA - USA

Post Graduate Certification in Play Therapy
UCSD Extension
San Diego, CA - USA

Post Graduate Training in Sandplay
UCSD Extension & STA Trainings
San Diego, CA - USA
List of Workshops, Conferences & Trainings Attended

Professional Affiliation

Shirla de Magalhães 
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
BBS - Board of Behavioral Science - CA  - LMFT License # 82947
RPT-S - Registered Play Therapist Supervisor  #S2226
RSP - Registered Sandplay Practitioner


Associations
  • Member of CAMFT
  • Member of the Association for Play Therapy
  • Member of Sandplay Therapists of America
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Accomplishments
  • 2021 Board Member/Advisor - UCSD Extension Play Therapy Certificate Program
  • 2020/2021 Vendor Chair  - National Conference Sandplay Therapists of America​
  • 2019/2020 Immediate Past President~ California Association for Play Therapy
  • 2018- Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Volunteer
  • 2018 Podcast - The Heart of the Matter "Play Therapy and Childhood Mental  Health"   
  • 2018 President ~ California Association for Play Therapy
  • 2017 (June-Dec) President ~ California Association for Play Therapy
  • 2017 (Jan-Jun) ~ President-Elect ~ California Association for Play Therapy
  • 2015 & 2016 ~ Founder & President of the San Diego Chapter of the California Association for Play Therapy
  • 2014 ~ Co-Chair ~ San Diego Trauma Informed Guide Team
  • 2013 - 2015 ~ Trauma Informed Committee Member ~ SAY (Social Advocates for Youth) - San Diego​

Recognitions
  • Soroptimist International of La Mesa  - Nov 2013: Certificate of Appreciation - "In recognition of your valuable contributions and support in serving the needs of children."
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  • Home
  • About Shirla
  • Play Therapy
  • Sandplay
  • SoulCollage®
  • Therapeutic Art
  • Contact
  • Resources