Dr. Heloisa H. Portela, Ph.D., NCC, LCMHCS, RPT-S
About Me
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor and Certified EMDR™ Therapist dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families heal from trauma. My goal is to help people give and receive love more freely. My work is grounded in trauma-informed care, integrating EMDR therapy with attachment-focused and developmentally sensitive approaches, including play therapy.
I am deeply relational in my work. I value understanding each client beyond what is immediately presented, creating a space where people feel seen, safe, soothed, and supported. Whether working with children, adults, or couples, my goal is to help clients process distressing experiences, build resilience, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.
Education & Experience
I hold a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and have been working in the mental health field since 1994. Prior to relocating to the United States, I practiced as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Brazil, specializing in work with adults, adolescents, and families.
Since establishing my career in the U.S., I have expanded my clinical work to include children, couples, and families, with a strong emphasis on trauma treatment and play therapy. I am a Certified EMDR Therapist and currently an EMDR Consultant-in-Training, continuing to deepen my expertise in EMDR and its adaptations across the lifespan.
In addition to clinical work, I have been teaching graduate-level counseling courses and presenting at professional conferences since 2004. I currently serve as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where I teach play therapy courses.
Specialty Area
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Depression
- Family Issues
- Grief/Loss/Mourning
- Marriage/Relationship Issues
- Mood Disorders
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Self-Harm
- Sexual Abuse
- Stress Management
- Traumatic Incident
Population Served
- Adolescents (13-17)
- Adults
- Children (4-12)
- Couples
- Immigrants
- Seniors
Language
- English
- Portuguese
- Spanish
Insurance
- Does Not Accept Insurance
