Claudia Da Silva- Online Counselling & Supervision

25/09/2025

22/09/2025

🌸🐝 The flower doesn’t chase the bee — it simply blooms, and the bee finds it.

As counsellors starting out, our work is to keep blooming with authenticity and care.

The right clients will be drawn to our presence.

I took this beautiful photo in New Zealand — a great moment to share with my peers. 🌿 I am here to remind you of your potential 💕🌹🦋

20/09/2025

✨ “To care is more than an act; it is an attitude. It goes beyond a moment of attention or concern. It represents a stance of responsibility, of commitment, and of loving involvement with the other.” – Leonardo Boff 🌿

In counselling and supervision, care is not just something we do — it is who we are.
It’s the foundation of trust, safety, and growth. 💫

When we approach others with this attitude of care, we create spaces where healing and transformation become possible.

What does safety mean to you?🌹🦋🌿

19/09/2025

🌈 Authenticity in Connection 🌈

In therapy and supervision, showing up as our true selves creates space for others to do the same. Vulnerability, presence, and curiosity become the sunlight after the storm — revealing the colours of human experience.

Together, we walk beside each other, witnessing growth, healing, and the beauty in every spectrum of life. Every authentic moment is a rainbow of connection. 🌿✨

16/09/2025

🌿✨ Nature, Water, and the Nervous System

Today, I dipped my feet into the volcanically warm water, and immediately I felt a sense of grounding and calm. The warmth, the gentle movement of the water, and simply being present in nature seemed to regulate my nervous system.

In these moments, our vagus nerve — especially the ventral branch — is activated. When we slow down, feel our body, walk mindfully, and breathe deeply, we invite safety, connection, and presence. It’s a reminder that our bodies are designed to respond to the environment: the warmth of water, the sounds of nature, and the rhythm of our breath all help us return to our ventral state.

Ask yourself: In this moment, am I in my ventral vagal (safe, engaged, connected), sympathetic (activated, alert), or dorsal vagal (shut down, immobilized)? Paying attention to this in nature can be a simple yet powerful self-regulation practice.

For counsellors, supervisees, and anyone walking the path of healing, these small experiences are profound reminders that the body and nervous system are central to our well-being — and nature offers the perfect environment to reconnect. 🌊🪨🦋🌹🌿

16/09/2025

🌿✨ Nature and Self-Care in Our Work

As counsellors and supervisors, we hold so many stories, emotions, and hopes. This work is meaningful, but it also asks a lot from our minds and hearts.

Spending time in nature can be a gentle reminder of balance. The rhythm of waves, the strength of trees, or the stillness of a montain — all invite us to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves.

Self-care isn’t only about rest, it’s about restoring our presence so we can meet our clients and supervisees with clarity, compassion, and hope.

To my supervisees and colleagues: may you find moments in nature to ground you, nurture you, and remind you of your own resilience. 🌊🌱🦋🌹🌿

30/08/2025

✨ Brazilian Counsellors & Psychologists Gathering ✨
Self-care • Connection • Belonging 💛

A gentle pause to breathe, share & be held in community. 🌿
Together we’ll explore how safety & co-regulation (Polyvagal vibes ✨) can restore us as we care for others.

🤝 You belong here.🦋🦋🦋🌹

24/08/2025

🌏✨ I’ve just returned from the International Childhood Trauma Conference in Melbourne, and I’m holding onto many reflections.

At its core, the message was clear: the nervous system is our master regulator. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—we regulate through each other.
And just as Maslow’s pyramid reminds us, food, safety, and care are the foundations of wellbeing. (Even the humble apple at morning and afternoon tea became a symbol of how much these basics matter!)

The speakers were brilliant, with disability and neurodiversity taking a more visible place in the conversation. It was a powerful reminder that we must keep asking: are we truly listening to the voices of those most often left out?

I was struck too by the way science is opening its language to spirituality, energy, and meditation—acknowledging their place in regulating and restoring our systems.

The sessions on multicultural trauma were few, but their voices resonated deeply: “Can you see us?” 🌍

What stays with me most is the central truth of our work: the power of relationships. Children have voices—but are we really listening? And how can we, together, use our capacity for co-regulation not only to support each other but also to heal our communities and our planet?

This conference wasn’t just about knowledge. It was about connection, renewal, and imagining safer, more relational worlds. 💙

Finally, I want to honour Joe Tucci, whose leadership and vision shaped this conference for so many years.
His commitment to safety, care, and inclusion continues to guide the spirit of this gathering.
He is deeply missed.🦋💕🌹

21/08/2025

🌍 Day 4 – International Childhood Trauma Conference 🌍

Another big day of learning, connection… and yes, more apples for morning tea 🍎😂 (the catering wasn’t the highlight, but the conversations definitely were!).

✨ Started the morning with calming breathwork with Caroline Brunne — her soft voice helped regulate my nervous system for the day ahead.
✨ Discovered the beauty of Sandplay therapy with Jacki Short’s amazing poster.
✨ Felt deeply moved by David Kessler’s teachings on grief — grief needs to be named, and we must be honest with children about death and dying.
✨ Inspired once again by Deb Dana and her wisdom on polyvagal theory — such a powerful tool for both clients and therapists.

The evening ended with 17 incredible Brazilian counsellors & psychologists here in Melbourne 🇧🇷💛. Over Italian dinner.
we laughed, connected, shared stories of immigration and healing, and dreamed of how we can support our communities.

So grateful for the wisdom, courage & compassion shared today 🫶

20/08/2025

Day 4 – Childhood Trauma Conference, Melbourne 🌿

After 3 powerful days of deep conversations on trauma, my body said pause — hello migraine. I almost stayed in my room but chose the morning breathwork with Caroline Brunne instead. Best decision ✨ oxygen washed me with peace and gratitude.

The day brought so much inspiration:
👏 Conor Pall, a brave young survivor of SA, shared his story — raw, emotional, unforgettable. His message: children have a voice, but are we listening?

🧠 Learned more about Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy with the amazing Dr. Jon Baylin.

📄I am honoured to present my paper on supporting survivors of CSA online & meet the wonderful Jacquie Short, a leader in children’s therapy.

💖 And my heart… talk on intergenerational trauma was beyond powerful. I may be biased, but she truly shone. 🙏🦋🌹

Grateful for the wisdom, courage & community here. 🌸

18/08/2025

Day 2 – Childhood Trauma Conference🌿🌿

Today began with a moving Aboriginal ceremony that grounded us in community and connection. I then had the chance to learn Polyvagal Theory in Practice with Arielle Schwartz, who gently guided us through ways of regulating the nervous system through body awareness and simple yoga positions.

Later, with Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, I explored playful activities — using jelly beans, rhythms, and storytelling to discover how creativity can foster safety, attunement, and connection
These practices reminded me how powerful play and imagination can be in healing.

The highlights of the day were presence, connection, and the warmth of shared learning. One video especially touched me, and I’d love to share it with you

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DAYLh09JxJE&pp=0gcJCf8Ao7VqN5tD

17/08/2025

🌿 Day 1 – International Childhood Trauma Conference 🌿

Today marked the opening of the International Childhood Trauma Conference, and it already feels like the beginning of a deeply meaningful week.

Cathy Marchiordy opened with an informal yet powerful conversation on trauma, neurodivergence, and alternative therapies for children. What stayed with me most was her invitation to embrace curiosity rather than expectations—a mindset that opens space for true connection and healing.

I had the joy of briefly meeting Minky van der Walt (just as radiant as her posters!) and reconnecting with my former supervisor, Lisa Champion—an incredible professional and a beautiful soul.

There were also lighthearted moments of laughter with Rosemary Gattuso and Moara Prado, reminding me that healing is not only about stories of pain but also about connection, joy, and shared humanity.

The atmosphere was filled with learning, compassion, and hope. This feels like the start of a week that will be rich with stories of trauma, but also full of possibilities for healing—grounded in relational, caring ways of being.

✨ Grateful for the chance to learn, share, and grow alongside so many inspiring people.

👉