Therapist | Clinical Supervisor| Neurodiversity and Culturally Affirming Framework
Hello, my name is Dafiny Alves. I am a mixed-race, Brazilian, neurodivergent Integrative Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor, and Life coach. I am also a certified Anxiety and Trauma-informed practitioner and a member of the BACP and NCPS. I have vast experience counselling neurodivergent young people and young adults who are coming to terms with their neurodivergence or struggling with anxiety and depression.
As a neurodivergent affirmative therapist, I am dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for individuals of all neurodiverse backgrounds. My approach is rooted in understanding and affirming the unique experiences, strengths, and challenges that come with neurodivergence. I believe in the importance of embracing individuality and fostering self-acceptance.
Are you struggling with:
1. Anxiety
2. intrusive thoughts/ negative thoughts/ OCD
3. Overthinking
4. Panic attacks
5. insomnia and worry
6. Do you think you have ADHD or autism, and you do not know how to make sense of this?
7. It has been a struggle to start conversations or go out and meet new people?
8. Do you wonder if there’s something wrong with you, as you always think you upset people because of your behaviour?
9. Do you have thoughts that keep going on and on …. in an exhausting loop in your head?
10. You don’t like or trust yourself constantly second-guessing yourself
I can help you with that.
I love what I do and find it extremely gratifying to work with young adults, as I learn so much from them. I don’t believe therapy is magic, but it is powerful and somewhat magical when I see my clients starting to change in the sessions and slowly seeing the changes they were looking for when they began therapy. (therapy works I have seen it working )
I have shared that I am neurodivergent. What that means for you is that if you are neurodivergent yourself, we will likely click, as I have seen this happening with all my past and present clients.
Things to know about me: Others experience me as quirky or peculiar, and I am funny (I was also told I have an accent). I am easy to talk with, and I don’t judge. Ah! And I am useless with numbers because of my dyscalculia, but I get there eventually.
Problems I work with:
Anxiety
Intrusive thoughts
Negative thoughts
OCD
Worries, overthinking, rumination
Suicidal thoughts
Self-harm
Depression
Low -self-esteem
Obsessive thoughts
Training, qualifications & experience
CPACB – Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body – Diploma in Integrative Counselling
Counsellor Tutor – Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision Including Online and Telephone Working Level 6
HSC Oxford Home Study Centre – CPC accredited – Diploma in Life Coaching Level 7
Counsellor Tutor – Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
PESI UK – Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) Training Course: Applied Neuroscience for Treating Anxiety, Panic, and Worry
PESI UK – Anxiety, Trauma & SelfHarm in Children and Adolescents - Essential Regulation and Restorative Practices
PESI UK – Advanced Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents: A Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional Training Course
PESI UK – CBT Training for Anxiety and OCD
Hillingdon SCP – Initial Working Together to Safeguard Children (level 3)
Mindful Society Global Institute – Neurodiversity – Informed Mindfulness
Mental Health First Aid
I have been counselling a diverse range of people from different cultural backgrounds, including neurodivergent people like me; since 2018, when I first started counselling, most of my experience has been devoted to counselling young people and young adults experiencing anxiety, depression, self-harm, and low self-esteem, also struggling to understand and or navigate the world as neurodivergent. Because of my diversity, I promote inclusion and positive affirmation in all my professional roles.
My experience has been in school settings, private practice, and independent mental health charities; I have experience working with Global majority communities providing culturally sensitive therapy. In the past, I offered short-term therapy to Portuguese and Italian speakers’ clients via the IAPT service in South London, work that resonated with me as I am Brazilian, and I lived in Italy for a few years; I believe that it is empowering for people to be able to express themselves in their mother tongue.
I also have experience managing counsellors as a coordinator of a counselling service in a women’s only charity in Harrow, where I recruited and trained counsellor volunteers and assessed clients’ suitability for counselling.
I am a clinical 1-to-1 and group supervisor at Need to Talk. I run my private practice, and I’m a school counsellor at Child in Time. I also write and deliver workshops on Anxiety, bereavement, and well-being to the public. I also deliver workshops for counsellors, and I am currently having a go as a blog writer.