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Our Mission
At Nurturing Playful Minds, our mission is to fill critical gaps in children’s mental health by empowering the adults who care for them — clinicians, parents, and educators — through accessible, evidence-informed education. We believe that meaningful support begins with understanding, and that healing and growth flourish in environments rooted in play, attachment, and connection.
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Guided by the values of education, growth, playfulness, and a deep respect for systemic influences, we are committed to nurturing emotionally resilient children by equipping the adults around them with the tools, knowledge, and compassion they need to thrive.
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Because when adults are supported, children are seen. And when children are seen, they flourish.
Jessica Holzer, LMFT, RPT-S
Jessica Holzer, LMFT, RPT-S, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Connected Care Family Counseling, with a passion for supporting children and families through play and strengthening attachment bonds. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Cognitive Science from UC San Diego and completed her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University. During her graduate studies, she had the opportunity to study mental health practices abroad in India, Cambodia, and Mexico. She also co-authored and presented research studies on post traumatic stress disorder impacts on relationships as well as engaged in research studies on end of life experiences. She began her clinical work in community mental health in San Diego County where she worked in several children and family programs for almost ten years.
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Jessica’s clinical work and training have centered on attachment-based therapies, as well as play and art therapy approaches. She has earned certifications in Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way, Developmental Didactic Psychotherapy (Level II), and the AAMFT Leadership Certificate from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, as a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S), she works closely with children and their families to strengthen emotional connection and relational well-being in her practice. Jessica is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and is passionate about mentoring new therapists, especially those drawn to working with children and families. She also serves as an Adjunct and Associate Faculty member at several Marriage and Family Therapy graduate programs.
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A longtime volunteer at Camp Ronald McDonald, Jessica supports children with pediatric cancer and their siblings through recreational and therapeutic activities. She has also facilitated therapy groups for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, providing care to children and parents navigating diagnosis, grief, and healing.
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When she is not working with families, teaching, or writing clinical content, Jessica enjoys hiking, camping, visiting libraries, traveling, and exploring San Diego with her husband and daughter. She also loves crafting, reading, crocheting, and spending time in nature whenever she can!
Jamie Shafir, LCSW
Jamie Shafir is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who believes in challenging the status quo with how chronic pain in children and adolescents is treated through play and attachment-based approaches. Jamie earned her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California, where she was awarded the Order of Arête, for notable contributions to the community. She enjoys mentoring new therapists, and serves as an Internship Director at Mind Body Therapy and Coaching Center, where she also sees clients as a therapist and health coach. Jamie has lectured nationally and internationally on developmentally appropriate ways to work with children and adolescents experiencing chronic pain. Jamie has also had the honor of speaking at the annual Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS) on her clinical work.
Prior to graduate school, Jamie Shafir trained as a Check and Connect mentor through the University of Minnesota, an evidence-based model to foster school engagement and prevent school dropout. Additionally, Jamie is trained in Relationship Enhancement® for Refugees and Immigrants, an evidence-based practice to strengthen families, with special attention to multicultural contexts. Jamie is certified in Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way. In her spare time, she likes to bake things, explore new books at the library with her son, and have spontaneous dance parties with their strobe light.