Tahoe Youth & Family Services hires new clinical director

Tahoe Youth & Family Services is introducing Shalini Malasingam, the non-profit's new clinical director. They serve youth and families in both South Lake Tahoe and Douglas County.

She was born and raised in Malaysia and moved to Australia in 2000. It was there she completed her Bachelor of Psychology degree from the Australian National University and Master of Arts (Counseling Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy) degree at Argosy University – Orange County.

Shalini is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in both the state of Nevada and California with over eight years of experience in the mental health field. She has over six years of experience working in a community mental health setting with a focus on trauma-informed care for children, teens, and adults. She also has three years of working with couples using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to guide couples in understanding each other and communicating effectively.

"Creativity is one of my other strong traits having worked as a sound designer/DJ prior to becoming an LMFT," said Shalini.

She would like to combine trauma-informed care using expressive arts in a group setting in the area just as she has done while working with youth in south central Los Angeles. She also works as a group fitness instructor and has facilitated groups combining movement to address depressive systems.

Why she loves what she does: Every day I get to wake up and be immersed with human stories, stories of pain, stories of hopelessness, stories of trauma, stories of injustice, stories of love, etc. I feel privileged to be the holder of these stories. Humbled by the trust developed and nurtured with the person and/or family in front of me, so that they have an unbiased, safe, and productive opportunity to process their experiences. That’s what therapy is to me. A connection between people through conversation, or through play, art, music whatever creative means I can facilitate to help them express their authentic self. I’m excited to bring that to Tahoe Youth and Family Services. When it comes to trauma work, the first thing I focus on is my client’s regulation. Helping them feel safe with their environment, with themselves. Then the work can begin. I’ve used art and music in the trauma-informed groups that I’ve facilitated in south central Los Angeles where I was working prior to moving to the valley. I’ve also incorporated movement to help children and adolescents navigate through depressive symptoms. I think there’s more than one way of creating a space for people to develop the courage to face their vulnerability, and I’ll meet you where you are at. I look forward to meeting you!

Beginning the first week in March, Shalini will be facilitating two groups through Telehealth: a First Responders Support Group and a Relationship group for couples or individuals.

For more information, please call Tahoe Youth & Family Services at (775)782 - 4202 or (530)541–2445.